Standard International Trade Classification
U.S. imports of Essential Oil Concentrates, Terpenic By-Products & Aqueous Distillates (SITC 55135) totaled $15.2M in August 2026, imported from 63 countries.
Importers of Essential Oil Concentrates, Terpenic By-Products & Aqueous Distillates paid $1.4M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 9.17% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Essential Oil Concentrates, Terpenic By-Products & Aqueous Distillates imports of $15.2M in August 2026 ran 27% above the year-to-date monthly average of $12.0M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataProcessed derivatives of essential oils—including concentrates dissolved in fixed fats or oils, terpenic by-products separated during distillation, and floral waters (aqueous distillates such as rose water or orange blossom water)—occupy a distinct commercial space between raw essential oils and finished fragrance compounds. SITC 55135 captures this heterogeneous group, which serves the cosmetics, food flavoring, and aromatherapy sectors. Terpenic by-products, particularly d-limonene recovered from citrus processing, are also used as industrial solvents and cleaning agents, giving this heading cross-sector relevance. The food-use status of aqueous distillates triggers FDA prior notice requirements, while industrial terpene fractions may be subject to different regulatory pathways.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
270 import shipments a month
D-limonene and other terpene fractions recovered as by-products of essential oil processing may be classified under SITC 55135 when derived from essential oil production, but when imported primarily as industrial solvents or cleaning agents, they may fall under chemical headings instead. The intended end-use and the production process documentation both influence the correct classification; a customs broker should review the specific product specification and intended use.
FDA prior notice is required for food-use floral waters (e.g., rose water used as a food flavoring or ingredient). Floral waters imported solely for cosmetic or personal-care use are not subject to food prior notice, but they are regulated as cosmetic ingredients under the FD&C Act and must comply with cosmetic labeling and safety standards. Importers should clearly document the intended use to ensure the correct regulatory pathway is applied at entry.
Basic heading 209 of 465 in section 5
Basic heading 55135 · $15.2M of $27.5B
Imports · August 2026
origin
India and Brazil together supply 79% of it. Brazil pays 12.0% duty; Mexico 0.0%.
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
$15.2MYoY · free account
Exports
$8.1MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $139.4M of Essential Oil Concentrates, Terpenic By-Products & Aqueous Distillates and exported $100.1M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
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