Asbestos

The EPA has used its authority under TSCA to ban or severely restrict virtually all commercial uses of asbestos in the United States, and ongoing rulemaking continues to close remaining exemptions. Importation of raw asbestos fiber or asbestos-containing articles for most purposes is effectively prohibited; any residual permissible use requires EPA review and compliance with OSHA exposure limits. Importers should consult legal counsel and a licensed customs broker before attempting any entry.

Raw asbestos fiber and asbestos-containing manufactured articles are classified under different HTS headings, but both are subject to EPA TSCA oversight. Manufactured articles containing asbestos may also trigger OSHA labeling requirements and state-level restrictions. The distinction matters for classification purposes, but neither category escapes the regulatory scrutiny that applies to asbestos in any form entering US commerce.