U.S. imports of Sesame Oil (Whether or Not Refined, Not Chemically Modified) (HS 151550) totaled $9.6M in August 2026, imported from 30 countries.
Importers of Sesame Oil (Whether or Not Refined, Not Chemically Modified) paid $692K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 7.19% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Sesame Oil (Whether or Not Refined, Not Chemically Modified) imports of $9.6M in August 2026 ran 12% below the year-to-date monthly average of $10.9M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataSesame oil's distinctive nutty flavor and high oxidative stability make it a premium ingredient in East Asian cuisines and a sought-after component in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations. Japan is the leading US supplier under this heading, reflecting its sophisticated toasted-sesame oil processing industry and strong brand recognition in the US specialty food market, with Mexico and Taiwan also contributing. Food-grade sesame oil — whether crude or refined — is subject to FDA admissibility review, and importers should verify that labeling meets US allergen disclosure requirements, as sesame became a major food allergen under US law in 2023.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
298 import shipments a month
Since January 1, 2023, sesame is classified as a major food allergen under the FASTER Act, requiring that sesame oil be declared on US food labels. Importers of food-grade sesame oil must ensure that downstream product labels and any co-packed formulations comply with FDA allergen labeling rules. This does not change the HTS classification but adds a layer of FDA compliance review that was not previously required.
Yes — 1515500000 covers sesame oil whether or not refined, without distinguishing between cold-pressed (light) and toasted (dark) varieties. Both types classify here as long as the oil has not been chemically modified. The distinction matters commercially — toasted sesame oil commands a significant price premium — but it does not create separate tariff lines under the current US schedule.
Subheading 2 of 8 in heading 1515
Subheading 151550 · $9.6M of $129.1M
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 151550 — Sesame Oil (Whether or Not Refined, Not Chemically Modified), so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1515500000 | Sesame Oil Whether/not Refined Nt Chem Modified | $9.6M | 7.19% | 59.13% | $692K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1515500000 | Sesame Oil Whether/not Refined Nt Chem Modified | $1.0M |
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.
ImportsExports
Imports
$9.6MYoY · free account
Exports
$1.0MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $130.6M of Sesame Oil (Whether or Not Refined, Not Chemically Modified) and exported $11.7M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Mexico and Japan together supply 79% of it. China pays 20.2% duty; Mexico 0.2%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
40.9% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 7.19% of imports for consumption.