U.S. imports of Castor Oil and Its Fractions (SITC 42250) totaled $7.3M in August 2026, imported from 16 countries.
Importers of Castor Oil and Its Fractions paid $768K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 9.42% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataCastor oil, derived from the seeds of Ricinus communis, is distinguished from virtually all other vegetable oils by its exceptionally high ricinoleic acid content — typically above 85% — which gives it unique viscosity, lubricity, and reactivity properties exploited in lubricants, hydraulic fluids, nylon-11 polymer production, and cosmetics. Dehydrated castor oil (DCO) and hydrogenated castor oil (HCO) are commercially important fractions with distinct industrial applications: DCO functions as a drying oil in coatings, while HCO (castor wax) is used in polishes and plastics. India dominates global castor oil production and export, making it the primary supplier to US industrial buyers.
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112 import shipments a month
The main traded grades include first-pressed (food/pharmaceutical grade), technical grade, dehydrated castor oil (DCO), and hydrogenated castor oil (HCO or castor wax). Each has distinct specifications for color (Gardner scale), viscosity, hydroxyl value, and acid value. Importers should specify the grade and intended end use on purchase contracts and entry documentation, as these parameters affect both price and classification.
India accounts for the vast majority of global castor seed cultivation and oil processing, giving it a near-monopoly position in international castor oil trade. This concentration creates supply-chain risk for US industrial buyers: crop failures, export policy changes, or logistics disruptions in India can significantly affect availability and pricing. Importers relying on castor oil as a critical input should consider maintaining strategic inventory buffers.
Basic heading 20 of 41 in section 4
Basic heading 42250 · $7.3M of $1.7B
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Imports · August 2026
origin
India and South Korea together supply 99% of it. China pays 20.0% duty; India 9.4%.
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
$7.3MYoY · free account
Exports
$1.2MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $87.2M of Castor Oil and Its Fractions and exported $16.2M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.