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SITCSection 4
U.S. imports of castor oil and its fractions (SITC 42250) totaled $2.8M in April 2026, traded with 12 countries.
Importers of Castor Oil and Its Fractions paid $433K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 10% on $4.3M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Castor Oil and Its Fractions imports of $2.8M in April 2026 ran 60% below the year-to-date monthly average of $7.0M.
Last updated: April 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.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
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.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| INDIA | $2.7M | -- | -$2.7M |
| CANADA | -- | $1.0M | +$1.0M |
| ISRAEL | -- | $156K | +$156K |
| FRANCE | $7K | $58K | +$51K |
| KOREA, SOUTH | $45K | -- | -$45K |
Monthly import values over time