Standard International Trade Classification
U.S. exports of Hydraulic Brake Fluids & Prepared Hydraulic Transmission Liquids (Under 70% Mineral Oil) (SITC 59731) totaled $18.2M in August 2026.
Importers of Hydraulic Brake Fluids & Prepared Hydraulic Transmission Liquids (Under 70% Mineral Oil) paid $509K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 10.86% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataGlycol-ether and borate-ester formulations dominate the brake fluid market covered by SITC 59731, which specifically captures prepared hydraulic fluids containing less than 70% petroleum or bituminous mineral oil by weight — the threshold that separates these products from petroleum-based hydraulic oils. DOT performance ratings (DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5.1) are the primary commercial specification differentiators for brake fluids, and these ratings influence both end-use suitability and buyer specifications in automotive aftermarket supply chains. The sub-70% mineral oil ceiling is a hard classification boundary, and importers of borderline formulations should obtain laboratory analysis to confirm compliance.
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209 import shipments a month
The 70% by-weight petroleum content threshold is the dividing line between this SITC heading and petroleum-based hydraulic oils. Formulations at or above 70% mineral oil content fall into a different classification with potentially different duty treatment. For blended or proprietary formulations, laboratory analysis of petroleum content is the standard method for confirming correct classification.
DOT ratings (DOT 3, DOT 4, DOT 5.1 for glycol-based fluids) are specified in FMVSS No. 116 and are often required on product labels and safety data sheets for US market entry. Importers should ensure that product documentation references the applicable DOT rating, as this affects both marketability and compliance with vehicle safety standards.
Basic heading 191 of 465 in section 5
Basic heading 59731 · $18.2M of $26.2B
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Exports · August 2026
destination
Canada and Belgium together take 43% 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
$4.7MYoY · free account
Exports
$18.2MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $58.5M of Hydraulic Brake Fluids & Prepared Hydraulic Transmission Liquids (Under 70% Mineral Oil) and exported $208.7M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.