U.S. imports of Cosmetic and Toilet Preparations for the Hair, Including Shampoos (SITC 55330) totaled $195.0M in August 2026, imported from 85 countries.
Importers of Cosmetic and Toilet Preparations for the Hair, Including Shampoos paid $14.8M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 7.57% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataHair care preparations — spanning shampoos, conditioners, styling gels, relaxers, and color treatments — enter the US as FDA-regulated cosmetics unless they bear drug claims such as 'treats dandruff' or 'promotes hair growth,' which trigger OTC drug or new-drug requirements. Medicated shampoos containing active ingredients like selenium sulfide or ketoconazole are a frequent classification gray area that importers must resolve before shipment. The category is widely traded, with supply chains spanning Asia, Europe, and Latin America, and private-label manufacturing arrangements are common.
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10.9K import shipments a month
The FDA's test is whether the product is intended to affect the structure or function of the body, or to treat a condition. A shampoo marketed solely for cleansing is a cosmetic; one labeled 'controls dandruff' with an active ingredient such as zinc pyrithione is an OTC drug subject to monograph requirements. The product's labeling claims — not its formulation alone — drive the classification decision.
Chemical relaxers containing sodium hydroxide or guanidine are regulated as cosmetics, but the FDA has increased scrutiny of formaldehyde-releasing straighteners, which may be subject to additional safety review. Importers should ensure ingredient disclosure is complete and monitor FDA guidance updates, as enforcement posture on this product type has evolved in recent years. Consulting a licensed customs broker or regulatory counsel before importation is recommended.
Basic heading 15 of 465 in section 5
Basic heading 55330 · $195.0M of $27.5B
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Imports · August 2026
origin
Mexico and Canada together supply 46% of it. China pays 35.9% duty; Mexico 0.3%.
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
$195.0MYoY · free account
Exports
$143.6MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $2.2B of Cosmetic and Toilet Preparations for the Hair, Including Shampoos and exported $1.6B.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.