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SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of direct dyes and preparations (SITC 53114) totaled $2.1M in April 2026, traded with 14 countries.
Importers of Direct Dyes and Preparations paid $165K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 16% on $1.0M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Direct Dyes and Preparations imports of $2.1M in April 2026 ran 43% above the year-to-date monthly average of $1.5M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataDirect dyes are water-soluble anionic colorants applied to cellulosic fibers — primarily cotton and viscose — directly from a neutral or slightly alkaline salt bath without requiring a mordant or fiber pretreatment, which makes them a cost-efficient choice for commodity textile dyeing. Their relatively modest wash-fastness compared to reactive or vat dyes limits their use in high-performance applications, but they remain widely traded for paper, leather, and lower-cost apparel production. Preparations in this category frequently incorporate migration inhibitors or fixatives that improve fastness properties, and the ratio of such additives to the dye substance is a key classification consideration.
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Direct dyes exhaust onto cellulosic fibers through physical adsorption and hydrogen bonding without forming a covalent bond with the fiber, while reactive dyes form a permanent covalent linkage. Chemically, reactive dyes contain a reactive group (such as a triazine or vinyl sulfone moiety) that is absent in direct dyes. This structural distinction — not just the application method — determines the correct heading.
Direct dye preparations sourced from China may be subject to Section 301 tariffs depending on the specific tariff line. Importers should verify current Section 301 List coverage for their specific product with a licensed customs broker, as the scope of covered chemical products has been updated over multiple rounds of review.
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Monthly import values over time