Standard International Trade Classification
U.S. exports of Cellulose & Chemical Derivatives N.E.S. in Primary Forms (SITC 57559) totaled $26.8M in August 2026.
Importers of Cellulose & Chemical Derivatives N.E.S. in Primary Forms paid $1.4M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 12.76% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataCellulose derivatives not elsewhere specified — such as cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate (nitrocellulose), and cellulose xanthate — occupy a residual but commercially significant category within the broader cellulose chemicals trade. Nitrocellulose, used in lacquers, printing inks, and propellants, carries additional regulatory scrutiny as a flammable solid under DOT hazmat rules and may require special import permits depending on concentration and intended use. Cellulose acetate, a primary input for cigarette filter tow and optical films, is widely traded and subject to standard chemical tariff treatment. Accurate classification requires distinguishing the specific derivative from cellulose ethers (SITC 57554) and regenerated cellulose.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
192 import shipments a month
Cellulose ethers (SITC 57554) involve substitution of hydroxyl groups with ether linkages (e.g., methyl, ethyl, carboxymethyl groups), while this NES category captures ester-type derivatives such as cellulose acetate and nitrate, as well as other chemically modified celluloses not classifiable elsewhere. The specific chemical bond type — ether versus ester — is the primary classification determinant.
Nitrocellulose is regulated as a flammable solid under US DOT hazardous materials rules, requiring proper labeling, packaging, and shipping documentation. Depending on nitrogen content and intended use (e.g., propellant grade), additional permits or agency notifications may apply. Consult a licensed customs broker or freight forwarder experienced in hazmat chemicals before importing.
Basic heading 157 of 465 in section 5
Basic heading 57559 · $26.8M of $26.2B
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Exports · August 2026
destination
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
origin
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$10.7MYoY · free account
Exports
$26.8MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $126.4M of Cellulose & Chemical Derivatives N.E.S. in Primary Forms and exported $338.6M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.