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HSChapter 29
U.S. imports of gluconic acid, its salts and esters (HS 291816) totaled $1.0M in April 2026, traded with 9 countries.
Importers of Gluconic Acid, Its Salts and Esters paid $134K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 13% on $1.0M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 2026 dataProduced by microbial fermentation of glucose, gluconic acid and its derivatives — particularly sodium gluconate (2918165010) and calcium gluconate (2918165020) — are widely used in construction chemicals (concrete retarders), food processing, pharmaceutical mineral supplements, and industrial cleaning. France and China are the leading US import sources, with India and Germany also significant. The heading's six 10-digit lines provide granular breakouts for gluconic acid itself, sodium gluconate, calcium gluconate, and residual salts and esters, so accurate product identification on the commercial invoice is essential to correct line-level classification.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Calcium gluconate is classified under 2918165020. When imported as a pharmaceutical-grade product (e.g., for intravenous formulations), it may be subject to FDA drug admissibility review in addition to standard customs entry. Industrial-grade calcium gluconate used in construction or food applications follows a different admissibility pathway. Importers should clearly declare the grade and intended use on entry documentation.
Sodium gluconate is primarily consumed as a concrete set retarder and cleaning agent in the construction and industrial sectors, and as a sequestrant in food processing. Its chelating properties also make it useful in metal surface treatment. Because construction activity is cyclical, demand — and therefore import volumes — can fluctuate with domestic building trends.
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Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2918165010 | SODIUM GLUCONATE | $466K | 3.70% | $17K |
| 2918165090 | OTHER SALTS AND ESTERS OF GLUCONIC ACID, NESOI | $441K | 19.85% | $87K |
| 2918165020 | OTHER SALTS/ESTRS OF GLCNIC ACID,CALCIUM GLUCONATE | $88K | 28.70% | $25K |
| 2918161000 | GLUCONIC ACID | $23K | 16.00% | $4K |
| 2918165050 | OTHER SALTS AND ESTERS OF GLUCONIC ACID | $0 | -- | -- |
SODIUM GLUCONATE
OTHER SALTS AND ESTERS OF GLUCONIC ACID, NESOI
OTHER SALTS/ESTRS OF GLCNIC ACID,CALCIUM GLUCONATE
GLUCONIC ACID
OTHER SALTS AND ESTERS OF GLUCONIC ACID
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2918160000 | GLUCONIC ACID, ITS SALTS AND ESTERS | $833K |
GLUCONIC ACID, ITS SALTS AND ESTERS
373.2K kg
NUCLEIC ACIDS & SALTS; OTHER HETEROCYCLIC CMP, NES
HS 293499
HETEROCYCLIC COMP W NITROGEN HETERO-ATM ONLY NESOI
HS 293399
POLYPEPTIDE PROTEIN& GLYCOPROTEIN HORMONES &DERIV
HS 293719
CMPDS CONT AN UNFUSED PYRIDINE RING ETC NESOI
HS 293339
COMP WITH PYRIMIDINE OR PIPERAZINE RING, NESOI
HS 293359
ANTIBIOTICS, NESOI
HS 294190
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOS ANGELES, CA | $241K | -- | -$241K |
| NEWARK, NJ | $224K | -- | -$224K |
| CHICAGO, IL | $215K | $4K | -$211K |