Harmonized System
U.S. exports of preparations for permanent waving or straightening hair (HS 330520) totaled $1.3M in August 2026.
Importers of Preparations for Permanent Waving or Straightening Hair paid $45K in duties in August 2026, an effective tariff rate of 10.11% of the $444K imported — duty actually collected as a share of that value, not the published tariff schedule. Preparations for Permanent Waving or Straightening Hair imports of $444K in August 2026 ran 31% below the year-to-date monthly average of $644K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataPermanent waving and straightening preparations are chemically active formulations — typically relying on thioglycolates, bisulfites, or strong alkalis — that alter the disulfide bonds in hair structure, distinguishing them from conditioning or styling products. Canada leads US imports under this heading, with South Korea and Peru also among the top suppliers. FDA regulates these products as cosmetics, but certain straightening preparations containing formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing chemicals have been subject to safety warnings and heightened import scrutiny due to occupational and consumer exposure concerns. Importers should verify that formulations comply with current FDA guidance on formaldehyde in hair smoothing products.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
55 shipments/mo
FDA has issued warnings about hair smoothing and straightening products that release formaldehyde during use, citing health risks to consumers and salon workers. Importers of such products should ensure formulations comply with FDA's current guidance, that labeling accurately discloses ingredients, and that formaldehyde or methylene glycol content is within acceptable limits. Products found to be adulterated or misbranded may be refused entry. Consulting a licensed customs broker or regulatory counsel is advisable.
The distinguishing factor is chemical function: permanent waving and straightening preparations are specifically formulated to chemically restructure the hair fiber, typically through reduction-oxidation chemistry. Conditioning treatments, masks, or leave-in products that do not alter hair structure are classified under heading 330590 as other hair preparations. The product's formulation, intended use, and labeling are the key classification determinants.
HSChapter 33
Subheading 4 of 4 in heading 3305
Subheading 330520 · $1.3M of $143.6M
Trade Directory
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ImportsExports
Imports
$444KYoY · free account
Exports
$1.3MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
YoY · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $8.2M of Preparations for Permanent Waving or Straightening Hair.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3305200000 | Preparations for Permanent Waving or Straightening | $444K | 10.11% | 82.87% | $45K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3305200000 | Preparations for Permanent Waving or Straightening | $1.3M |
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
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
17.1% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 10.11% of total import value.