U.S. exports of Propionic Acid, Its Salts and Esters (HS 291550) totaled $7.2M in August 2026.
Importers of Propionic Acid, Its Salts and Esters paid $248K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 8.87% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 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 import shipments a month
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 7 of 16 in heading 2915
Subheading 291550 · $7.2M of $190.5M
ImportsExports
Imports
$2.8MYoY · free account
Exports
$7.2MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $30.8M of Propionic Acid, Its Salts and Esters and exported $113.0M.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2915505000 | Non-Aromatic Salts and Esters of Propionic Acid | $2.5M | 7.79% | 66.03% | $197K |
| 2915501000 | Propionic Acid | $251K | 16.30% | 77.79% | $41K |
| 2915502000 | Aromatic Salts and Esters of Propionic Acid | $25K | 43.00% | 100.00% | $11K |
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 | $6.1M |
| 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.
Exports · August 2026
destination
Belgium and Canada together take 53% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
33.1% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 8.87% of imports for consumption.