Loading...
SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of caffeine and its salts (SITC 54143) totaled $13.3M in April 2026, traded with 15 countries.
Caffeine and Its Salts imports of $13.3M in April 2026 ran 30% above the year-to-date monthly average of $10.2M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataCaffeine traded in bulk crystalline or anhydrous form — distinct from caffeine naturally present in coffee or tea — functions as an API in analgesic combinations and respiratory stimulants, and as a functional ingredient in energy drinks and dietary supplements. FDA regulates high-purity caffeine as both a drug substance and a food ingredient, and has issued guidance specifically warning against the sale of pure powdered caffeine in bulk consumer quantities due to overdose risk. Importers of pharmaceutical-grade caffeine must ensure the supplying facility meets cGMP standards, while food-ingredient buyers must comply with Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) use conditions.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
FDA has taken enforcement action against bulk pure caffeine sold directly to consumers, citing the extremely narrow margin between a stimulant dose and a lethal dose. Importers selling to food manufacturers or pharmaceutical companies must document the intended industrial or pharmaceutical end use; shipments destined for retail consumer sale in pure powder form face heightened scrutiny.
Yes. Caffeine used in dietary supplements is regulated under DSHEA and must meet identity and purity specifications appropriate for that use, while caffeine used as a drug API must come from a cGMP-compliant pharmaceutical facility registered with FDA. The intended end use should be clearly documented in import records to support the correct regulatory classification.
Supplier Network
Get discovered by U.S. importers searching for HS 54143 — Caffeine and Its Salts. Be the first supplier listed.
Monthly import values over time