U.S. imports of Lauryl, Cetyl, and Stearyl Alcohol (HS 290517) totaled $4.2M in August 2026, imported from 14 countries.
Importers of Lauryl, Cetyl, and Stearyl Alcohol paid $611K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 14.78% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataFatty alcohols — lauryl (C12), cetyl (C16), and stearyl (C18) — are oleochemical derivatives produced primarily from palm kernel and coconut oil, making them closely linked to tropical vegetable oil supply chains. Classified under a single 10-digit line (2905170000), they are essential inputs for personal care emollients, surfactants, and pharmaceutical excipients. Malaysia and Indonesia dominate US supply, a direct reflection of their position as the world's largest palm and coconut oil producers, with India also a notable source.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
58 import shipments a month
Because these fatty alcohols are predominantly derived from palm kernel oil sourced in Malaysia and Indonesia, importers in personal care and pharmaceutical supply chains increasingly require RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certification or equivalent traceability documentation. Some buyers are diversifying toward coconut-derived or synthetic alternatives to manage reputational and supply-chain risk.
Yes. Cetyl and stearyl alcohol used as excipients in drug products are subject to FDA's inactive ingredient guidance and must meet USP purity specifications. When used in cosmetics, they are regulated under the FD&C Act as cosmetic ingredients. Importers supplying pharmaceutical manufacturers should ensure the product is accompanied by a certificate of analysis confirming compliance with the applicable compendial standard.
Subheading 13 of 20 in heading 2905
Subheading 290517 · $4.2M of $149.6M
ImportsExports
Imports
$4.2MYoY · free account
Exports
$2.1MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $51.5M of Lauryl, Cetyl, and Stearyl Alcohol and exported $23.8M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 290517 — Lauryl, Cetyl, and Stearyl Alcohol, so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2905170000 | Lauryl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol and Stearyl Alcohol | $4.1M | 14.78% | 100.00% | $611K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2905170000 | Lauryl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol and Stearyl Alcohol | $2.1M |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Indonesia and India together supply 68% of it.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
duty collected equals 14.78% of imports for consumption.