U.S. imports of Salicylic Acid and Its Salts (HS 291821) totaled $2.5M in August 2026, imported from 12 countries.
Importers of Salicylic Acid and Its Salts paid $209K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 8.49% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Salicylic Acid and Its Salts imports of $2.5M in August 2026 ran 12% above the year-to-date monthly average of $2.2M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataSalicylic acid — a beta-hydroxy acid widely used as a pharmaceutical active, preservative, and chemical intermediate — is split at the 10-digit level between grades suitable for medicinal use (2918211000) and those intended for industrial or other non-medicinal applications (2918215000 and 2918215100), a distinction that can affect both duty treatment and FDA regulatory review. Germany and China are the leading US suppliers, with Mexico also a notable source. Importers of pharmaceutical-grade material should be prepared for FDA review of the intended end-use, as the medicinal-grade line may trigger additional admissibility scrutiny.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
30 import shipments a month
Customs and FDA typically look to the manufacturer's certificate of analysis, intended end-use declarations, and whether the material meets pharmacopeial standards (e.g., USP or EP monographs). Goods destined for drug manufacturing or direct medicinal use should be declared under 2918211000, while material sold for rubber, dye, or preservative applications generally falls under the non-medicinal lines. Consult a licensed customs broker or regulatory counsel to confirm the correct classification based on your specific end-use documentation.
German suppliers have historically maintained strong positions in pharmaceutical-grade fine chemicals, where quality certifications, GMP compliance, and supply-chain reliability command a premium over price. For industrial-grade material, China is a major competing source, but pharmaceutical buyers often accept a cost premium for European-origin product to meet drug master file and regulatory requirements.
Subheading 10 of 17 in heading 2918
Subheading 291821 · $2.5M of $109.7M
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 291821 — Salicylic Acid and Its Salts, so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
ImportsExports
Imports
$2.5MYoY · free account
Exports
$117KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $25.2M of Salicylic Acid and Its Salts and exported $1.8M.
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 | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2918211000 | Salicylic Acid and Its Salts Suit for Medicin Use | $2.3M | 7.85% | 87.32% | $184K |
| 2918215000 | Salicylic Acid and Its Salts (Exc Medicinal Use) | $108K | 22.33% | 100.00% | $24K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2918211000 | Salicylic Acid and Its Salts Suit for Medicin Use | $85K |
| 2918215100 | Salicylic Acid and Its Salts (Exc Medicinal Use) | $32K |
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.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Germany and France together supply 77% of it. China pays 39.5% duty; Mexico 0.0%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
12.1% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 8.49% of imports for consumption.