U.S. exports of Refined Cottonseed Oil & Its Fractions (SITC 42129) totaled $1.3M in August 2026.
Refined Cottonseed Oil & Its Fractions imports of $3K in August 2026 ran 95% below the year-to-date monthly average of $49K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataRefined cottonseed oil has a long history in US food manufacturing as a frying and salad oil prized for its mild flavor and high smoke point, and its fractions — including cottonseed stearin — are used in shortenings and confectionery fats. The refining process removes gossypol and other impurities, making the oil safe for direct food consumption and subject to FDA food-additive and labeling requirements at the point of import. Cottonseed oil's relatively high natural antioxidant content (tocopherols) gives refined fractions good oxidative stability, a specification point that buyers in the snack-food and frying sectors frequently verify through certificates of analysis.
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1 import shipments a month
Refined cottonseed oil generally has a higher natural tocopherol content and a slightly higher smoke point than standard refined soybean oil, which can translate to longer fry-life in commercial frying applications. Buyers in the snack and fast-food sectors often specify minimum tocopherol levels and free fatty acid content in purchase contracts, so import documentation should include a certificate of analysis confirming these parameters alongside standard food-safety credentials.
No — physically separated fractions of refined cottonseed oil, including the solid stearin and liquid olein fractions obtained by fractionation, remain classified in the same heading as the refined oil, provided they have not been chemically modified. Hydrogenated or interesterified cottonseed products are classified elsewhere. Importers should confirm on the commercial invoice whether the product is a fraction or a chemically modified derivative to avoid misclassification.
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Basic heading 21 of 41 in section 4
Basic heading 42129 · $1.3M of $210.6M
Exports · August 2026
destination
Mexico and Portugal together take 93% of it.
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
$3KYoY · free account
Exports
$1.3MYoY · free account
Low of 5 reported months · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. exported $11.2M of Refined Cottonseed Oil & Its Fractions.
Through August 2026 · imports 5 of 12 months reported. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.