Technical-grade active ingredients imported solely for further formulation or for export may qualify for a FIFRA exemption from registration, but the importer must document the intended use carefully. Products imported for sale or distribution as pesticides in the US — including formulated end-use products — require full EPA registration. CBP coordinates with EPA to enforce admissibility, and non-compliant shipments can be refused entry or detained.

Many pesticide active ingredients and chemical intermediates manufactured in China are subject to Section 301 tariffs, raising landed costs for formulators that relied on Chinese supply. In response, some importers have shifted sourcing to producers in India, Europe, and other regions, while others have pursued Section 301 exclusion requests. Trade professionals should verify the current exclusion status of specific HTS lines, as exclusions have been granted, expired, and reinstated on a rolling basis.