Standard International Trade Classification
U.S. imports of Esters of Inorganic Acids (Excluding Hydrogen Halides), Their Salts & Derivatives, N.E.S. (SITC 51639) totaled $36.5M in August 2026, imported from 23 countries.
Importers of Esters of Inorganic Acids (Excluding Hydrogen Halides), Their Salts & Derivatives, N.E.S. paid $4.4M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 11.94% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Esters of Inorganic Acids (Excluding Hydrogen Halides), Their Salts & Derivatives, N.E.S. imports of $36.5M in August 2026 ran 13% above the year-to-date monthly average of $32.3M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataEsters formed from inorganic acids other than hydrogen halides — such as sulfuric, nitric, or boric acid esters — and their halogenated, sulfonated, or nitrated derivatives fall under this residual NES heading when not covered by a more specific provision. Dimethyl sulfate and diethyl sulfate, for example, are commercially significant sulfuric acid esters used as alkylating agents in pharmaceutical and dye synthesis, and both are subject to strict occupational safety and TSCA reporting requirements due to their high toxicity. Correct classification requires confirming that the parent acid is an inorganic acid other than a hydrogen halide, and that no more specific heading applies.
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505 import shipments a month
Esters of hydrogen halides (e.g., alkyl chlorides, alkyl bromides) are classified as organohalogen compounds under separate headings covering halogenated hydrocarbons. This heading is specifically limited to esters of other inorganic acids — such as sulfuric, nitric, phosphorous (when not covered by the phosphoric ester heading), or boric acid — to avoid overlap with the halogenated organic compound provisions.
Dimethyl sulfate and similar highly toxic alkylating agents are subject to TSCA Section 13 import certification and may also be subject to TSCA Section 8 reporting requirements. Importers must certify compliance or non-applicability at entry, and given the acute toxicity of these compounds, EPA may require additional documentation. OSHA hazard communication standards also apply to downstream handling.
Basic heading 118 of 465 in section 5
Basic heading 51639 · $36.5M of $27.5B
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ImportsExports
Imports
$36.5MYoY · free account
Exports
$13.4MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $334.1M of Esters of Inorganic Acids (Excluding Hydrogen Halides), Their Salts & Derivatives, N.E.S. and exported $165.9M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · August 2026
origin
China and India together supply 43% of it. China pays 19.7% duty; South Korea 8.1%.
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.