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HSChapter 38
U.S. imports of stearic acid (HS 382311) totaled $5.2M in April 2026, traded with 13 countries.
Importers of Stearic Acid paid $421K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 8.1% on $5.2M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Stearic Acid imports of $5.2M in April 2026 ran 20% below the year-to-date monthly average of $6.5M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataDerived primarily from palm or tallow feedstocks through hydrolysis and fractionation, industrial-grade stearic acid is a high-volume fatty acid used as a lubricant, emulsifier, and processing aid across rubber, plastics, cosmetics, and candle manufacturing. Indonesia and Malaysia dominate US import supply, a reflection of their large palm-based oleochemical industries, with Germany supplying higher-purity grades for specialty applications. The single 10-digit line 3823110000 covers the entire subheading, so classification disputes typically involve distinguishing commercial-grade stearic acid (a mixture of C16 and C18 fatty acids) from chemically pure octadecanoic acid, which would be classified in chapter 29.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Heading 3823 covers industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids, which in practice are mixtures — commercial stearic acid typically contains significant proportions of palmitic acid (C16) alongside the C18 stearic fraction. Chemically pure octadecanoic acid (99%+ purity) is classified in chapter 29. Importers should obtain a certificate of analysis showing the fatty acid composition profile; a product with substantial C16 content is almost certainly an industrial-grade mixture properly classified under 3823.
Importers should monitor CBP and USTR announcements for any antidumping, countervailing duty, or Section 301 orders that may apply to oleochemical products from specific origins. As of classification, no standing antidumping order on stearic acid from Indonesia or Malaysia is universally in effect, but trade-remedy landscapes change; consulting a licensed customs broker or trade attorney before large-volume purchases is advisable.
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Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3823110000 | STEARIC ACID | $5.2M | 8.12% | $421K |
STEARIC ACID
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3823110000 | STEARIC ACID | $2.6M |
STEARIC ACID
1.2M kg
PRODUCTS AND RESIDUALS OF CHEMICAL INDUSTRY, NESOI
HS 382499
DIAGNOSTIC OR LABORATORY REAGENTS INCL KITS, NESOI
HS 382219
CHEM ELEM DOPED, USED IN ELECTRON, DISCS WAFERS ET
HS 381800
SUPPORTED CATALYSTS W PREC METAL/PREC MTL COMPND
HS 381512
SUPPORTED CATALYSTS, NESOI
HS 381519
ADDITIVE FOR LUB OIL CONT PETRO/BITUMINOUS MINOIL
HS 381121
| State | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $1.2M | $1.4M | +$127K |
| Texas | $2.4M | $8K | -$2.4M |
| New Jersey | $324K | $288K | -$36K |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEWARK, NJ | $2.8M | -- | -$2.8M |
| NEW ORLEANS, LA | $1.1M | -- | -$1.1M |
| BUFFALO-NIAGARA FALLS, NY | -- | $505K | +$505K |