U.S. imports of Caffeine and Its Salts (SITC 54143) totaled $12.0M in August 2026, imported from 16 countries.
Importers of Caffeine and Its Salts paid $3K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 0.03% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Caffeine and Its Salts imports of $12.0M in August 2026 ran 13% above the year-to-date monthly average of $10.6M.
Last updated: August 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.
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81 import shipments a month
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.
Basic heading 236 of 465 in section 5
Basic heading 54143 · $12.0M of $27.5B
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Imports · August 2026
origin
India and Germany together supply 60% of it.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
destination
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$12.0MYoY · free account
Exports
$1.9MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $133.0M of Caffeine and Its Salts and exported $24.0M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.