U.S. imports of mucilages & thickeners from locust bean and guar seeds (HS 130232) totaled $17.7M in April 2026, traded with 15 countries.
Guar gum and locust bean gum — the two dominant hydrocolloids under this heading — serve as critical viscosity agents in food processing, hydraulic fracturing fluids, and pharmaceutical formulations. The US schedule distinguishes guar-derived products (1302320020) from locust bean (carob) derivatives (1302320040), a split that matters for end-use specification and duty treatment. India dominates global guar seed production and is the leading supplier to the US market, with Spain and Italy contributing locust bean gum. FDA oversight applies to food-grade imports, and buyers should confirm whether a shipment is native or chemically modified, as modification can affect classification.
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The schedule breaks out guar-seed-derived mucilages and thickeners under HTS 1302320020 and locust-bean-derived products under 1302320040. Whether the product is native or chemically modified does not change the heading, but modification may affect end-use labeling and FDA food-additive status.
No — both native and chemically modified forms (e.g., hydroxypropyl guar) remain classifiable within heading 130232 as long as the base material is guar or locust bean seed. However, heavily derivatized products that have lost the character of a vegetable extract may be reclassified elsewhere, so importers should verify the degree of modification with a licensed customs broker.
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Imports
$17.7M
from 15 countries · YTD: $53.0M
Exports
$4.5M
Deficit of $13.2M (net importer)
Trade balance: deficit of $13.2M (net importer)
YTD: $53.0M imported (April 2026)
227 shipments/month
Monthly import values over time
Top U.S. entry points for this product, ranked by latest-month import value.