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HSChapter 33
U.S. imports of preparations for permanent waving or straightening hair (HS 330520) totaled $506K in June 2026, traded with 20 countries.
Importers of Preparations for Permanent Waving or Straightening Hair paid $29K in duties in June 2026 — an effective duty rate of 14% on $210K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Preparations for Permanent Waving or Straightening Hair imports of $506K in June 2026 ran 28% below the year-to-date monthly average of $703K.
Last updated: June 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.
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.
Monthly import values over time
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CANADA | $297K | $94K | -$203K |
| COLOMBIA | $2K | $223K | +$220K |
| AUSTRALIA | -- | $168K | +$168K |
| PAPUA NEW GUINEA | -- | $117K | +$117K |
| DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | -- | $73K | +$73K |
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3305200000 | PREPARATIONS FOR PERMANENT WAVING OR STRAIGHTENING | $506K | 5.78% | 41.43% | $29K |
PREPARATIONS FOR PERMANENT WAVING OR STRAIGHTENING
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3305200000 | PREPARATIONS FOR PERMANENT WAVING OR STRAIGHTENING | $1.0M |
PREPARATIONS FOR PERMANENT WAVING OR STRAIGHTENING
109.4K kg
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAVANNAH, GA | -- | $378K | +$378K |
| CHAMPLAIN-ROUSES POINT, NY | $170K | -- | -$170K |
| ATLANTA, GA | -- | $127K | +$127K |