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SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of denatured ethyl alcohol and other denatured spirits (SITC 51216) totaled $695K in April 2026, traded with 12 countries.
Importers of Denatured Ethyl Alcohol and Other Denatured Spirits paid $65K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 12% on $544K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Denatured Ethyl Alcohol and Other Denatured Spirits imports of $695K in April 2026 ran 55% above the year-to-date monthly average of $450K.
Last updated: April 2026 dataDenatured ethyl alcohol — ethanol rendered unfit for beverage use by the addition of approved denaturants — is the workhorse solvent of the industrial chemicals sector, used in coatings, personal care products, cleaning agents, and fuel blending. Because denaturing removes it from beverage-alcohol tax treatment, it enters under a different regulatory pathway than undenatured ethanol, though TTB still governs the approved denaturant formulas and importers must comply with those specifications. Fuel-grade denatured ethanol used as a gasoline blendstock is also subject to EPA renewable fuel standard considerations, adding a second regulatory layer for energy-sector buyers.
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Yes. Even though denaturing removes the product from beverage-alcohol excise tax, TTB still regulates the approved denaturant formulas. Importers must ensure the denaturant used by the foreign producer matches a TTB-approved formula; non-conforming denaturants can result in the shipment being treated as undenatured alcohol for tax and permit purposes.
Both fall under SITC 51216, but fuel-grade ethanol blended into gasoline must also meet EPA fuel-quality and renewable fuel standard requirements, including RIN (Renewable Identification Number) generation eligibility. Industrial-grade denatured ethanol used in coatings or solvents does not carry these fuel-program obligations, so end-use documentation is important for compliance.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CANADA | $154K | $151.5M | +$151.3M |
| NETHERLANDS | -- | $38.8M | +$38.8M |
| PHILIPPINES | -- | $27.2M | +$27.2M |
| KOREA, SOUTH | -- | $18.0M | +$18.0M |
| PERU | -- | $12.5M | +$12.5M |
Monthly import values over time