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HSChapter 29
U.S. exports of propionic acid, its salts and esters (HS 291550) totaled $14.4M in July 2026.
Importers of Propionic Acid, Its Salts and Esters paid $342K in duties in July 2026 — an effective duty rate of 17% on $2.0M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: July 2026 dataPropionic acid functions primarily as a grain and feed preservative and as a mold inhibitor in baked goods, making it a commercially significant input for the food and animal nutrition industries. Canada and France lead US import supply, with Mexico also a notable source — Canada's proximity and USMCA status support cost-competitive supply of the bulk acid. The US schedule separates the free acid (2915501000) from aromatic salts and esters (2915502000) and non-aromatic salts and esters (2915503000 and 2915505000), with classification hinging on the chemical form and aromatic character of the derivative.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
86 shipments/mo
When imported for use as a food additive or animal feed preservative, propionic acid may be subject to FDA review as a food-contact or food-use chemical. Importers should ensure the product meets applicable FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) standards and that labeling accurately reflects intended use, as misrepresentation of end-use can trigger admissibility holds.
Calcium propionate and sodium propionate are salts of propionic acid and fall under the salts and esters lines within 2915.50 rather than under the free acid line (2915501000). The specific 10-digit classification depends on whether the salt is aromatic or non-aromatic in character, with most common food-grade propionate salts being non-aromatic.
Subheading 8 of 16 in heading 2915
Subheading 291550 · $2.6M of $84.8M
ImportsExports
Imports
$2.6MYoY · Pro
Exports
$14.4MYoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProThrough July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Exports · July 2026
destination
Netherlands and Belgium together take 55% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
20.5% enters free of duty; the effective duty rate is 13.24%.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2915505000 | Non-Aromatic Salts and Esters of Propionic Acid | $2.9M | 11.22% | 72.03% | $329K |
| 2915501000 | Propionic Acid | $232K | 19.97% | 67.61% | $46K |
| 2915502000 | Aromatic Salts and Esters of Propionic Acid | $95K | 26.03% | 102.56% | $25K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2915501000 | Propionic Acid | $9.8M |
| 2915503000 | Other Salts and Esters of Propionic Acid | $1.1M |
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.
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