U.S. imports of Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Their Salts and Esters (HS 291570) totaled $10.4M in August 2026, imported from 26 countries.
Importers of Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Their Salts and Esters paid $1.4M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 13.01% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Their Salts and Esters imports of $10.4M in August 2026 ran 26% above the year-to-date monthly average of $8.3M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataDerived predominantly from palm and animal fats, palmitic and stearic acids are saturated C16 and C18 fatty acids widely used as emulsifiers, lubricants, and surfactant intermediates in personal care, food processing, and plastics manufacturing. Indonesia and Malaysia dominate US import supply under this heading, reflecting their position as the world's largest palm oil producers and the downstream fatty acid refining capacity concentrated in Southeast Asia. The US schedule enumerates palmitic acid (2915700110), stearic acid (2915700120), and their salts and esters (2915700150) as distinct 10-digit lines.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
235 import shipments a month
Mixed fatty acid fractions are classified based on their predominant component or, if not clearly predominant, under the residual or most specific applicable line. CBP may require a certificate of analysis showing the fatty acid composition profile to determine the correct 10-digit line. If the mixture does not meet the specification for either pure acid, it may fall under a broader fatty acid heading elsewhere in Chapter 29 or Chapter 38.
While US customs law does not currently mandate sustainability certification for palm-derived fatty acids, importers should be aware that goods produced with forced labor are subject to exclusion under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and related CBP enforcement actions. Additionally, some downstream customers and retailers require RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) certification, which is a commercial rather than regulatory requirement but increasingly affects supply-chain documentation practices.
ImportsExports
Imports
$10.4MYoY · free account
Exports
$5.2MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $93.8M of Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Their Salts and Esters and exported $71.5M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2915700150 | Salts and Esters of Palmitic and Stearic Acids | $5.7M | 12.07% | 85.97% | $682K |
| 2915700120 | Satur Monocarboxylic Fatty Acid, Stearic Acid | $4.3M | 14.38% | 98.87% | $618K |
| 2915700110 | Palmitic Acid | $456K | 11.73% | 100.00% | $54K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2915700100 | Palmitic Acid, Stearic Acid, Their Salts and Estrs | $5.2M |
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.
Subheading 3 of 16 in heading 2915
Subheading 291570 · $10.4M of $83.8M
Imports · August 2026
origin
Indonesia and Malaysia together supply 55% of it. India pays 14.9% duty; Canada 0.1%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
8.1% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 13.01% of imports for consumption.