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SITCSection 4
U.S. imports of beeswax, other insect waxes, and spermaceti (SITC 43142) totaled $2.0M in April 2026, traded with 14 countries.
Importers of Beeswax, Other Insect Waxes, and Spermaceti paid $186K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 10% on $1.8M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Beeswax, Other Insect Waxes, and Spermaceti imports of $2.0M in April 2026 ran 17% above the year-to-date monthly average of $1.7M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataBeeswax and other insect-derived waxes — along with spermaceti, historically sourced from sperm whales but now largely replaced by synthetic or jojoba-based substitutes — occupy a specialized niche in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, candle manufacturing, and food-grade coatings. Spermaceti from actual cetaceans is effectively prohibited under CITES and the US Marine Mammal Protection Act, so any product labeled as spermaceti in modern trade is typically a synthetic or plant-derived analog. Beeswax imports are subject to USDA APHIS phytosanitary and animal health scrutiny because of the risk of introducing honeybee pathogens such as American foulbrood.
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Raw or unprocessed beeswax can harbor spores of Paenibacillus larvae, the bacterium causing American foulbrood disease, which is highly destructive to honeybee colonies. APHIS may require that imported beeswax be accompanied by a phytosanitary or veterinary health certificate from the exporting country and, in some cases, proof of heat treatment or processing. Importers should verify current APHIS requirements before shipment, as conditions of entry can change. Consult a licensed customs broker or APHIS for the applicable admissibility requirements.
No. Spermaceti derived from sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) is prohibited under the US Marine Mammal Protection Act and CITES Appendix I restrictions. Any product commercially described as spermaceti today is a synthetic wax ester or a jojoba-derived substitute. Importers should ensure product labeling and documentation accurately reflect the actual source material to avoid enforcement action.
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Monthly import values over time