U.S. exports of Phenylacetic Acid (Alpha-Toluic Acid), Its Salts (HS 291634) totaled $44K in August 2026.
Phenylacetic Acid (Alpha-Toluic Acid), Its Salts imports of $34K in August 2026 ran 29% below the year-to-date monthly average of $48K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataPhenylacetic acid is a DEA List I chemical precursor controlled under the Controlled Substances Act due to its role in illicit drug synthesis, making import permits and DEA registration mandatory for most commercial transactions — a compliance burden that distinguishes this heading from most other organic acid imports. The US schedule separates the free acid and its salts (2916341000), odoriferous or flavoring salt compounds (2916341500), and residual salt categories (2916343550, 2916345500). Germany leads US supply, followed by China and India. Importers must maintain DEA registration and file required import declarations regardless of the stated end use.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
3 import shipments a month
Phenylacetic acid is a DEA List I chemical under 21 CFR Part 1310. Importers must hold a valid DEA registration, submit import declarations (DEA Form 486) at least 15 days before each shipment, and maintain transaction records. These requirements apply regardless of the stated end use — including legitimate fragrance, pharmaceutical, or flavor applications. Classification and admissibility are complex; consult a licensed customs broker with DEA chemical experience before importing.
Line 2916341500 covers salts of phenylacetic acid that are specifically used as odoriferous or flavoring compounds — a use-based distinction that requires supporting documentation such as a fragrance or flavor industry specification sheet. Without that documentation, CBP may default to the general salt line (2916341000 or 2916343550). Importers should include end-use declarations and technical data sheets in the entry package.
ImportsExports
Imports
$34KYoY · free account
Exports
$44KYoY · free account
Low of 9 reported months · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. exported $966K of Phenylacetic Acid (Alpha-Toluic Acid), Its Salts.
Fewer than 6 of the last 12 months reported trade, or the latest month was under $500K; the trend chart is not shown for thin series.
Through August 2026 · imports 9 of 12 months reported. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Subheading 11 of 12 in heading 2916
Subheading 291634 · $44K of $90.1M
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 291634 — Phenylacetic Acid (Alpha-Toluic Acid), Its Salts, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2916341500 | Odoriferous/Flavr Cmpunds of Phenylacetic Acid Slt | $31K | 19.00% | 100.00% | $6K |
| 2916341000 | Phenylacetic Acid (A-Toluic Acid) | $3K | 10.00% | 100.00% | $292 |
| 2916345500 | Other Salts of Phenylacetic Acid | — | -- | -- | -- |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
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.
Exports · August 2026
destination
Canada and Japan together take 66% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
duty collected equals 18.23% of imports for consumption.