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SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of industrial monocarboxylic fatty acids and acid oils from refining (SITC 51218) totaled $34.6M in April 2026, traded with 25 countries.
Importers of Industrial Monocarboxylic Fatty Acids and Acid Oils from Refining paid $3.3M in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 9.8% on $33.5M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Industrial Monocarboxylic Fatty Acids and Acid Oils from Refining imports of $34.6M in April 2026 ran 19% below the year-to-date monthly average of $42.5M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataIndustrial monocarboxylic fatty acids — including stearic, oleic, palmitic, and lauric acids — and the acid oils recovered as byproducts of vegetable-oil refining are foundational oleochemical inputs for soaps, lubricants, rubber processing, and surfactant manufacture. Acid oils from refining are lower-purity, lower-cost co-products that compete with virgin fatty acids in price-sensitive applications such as animal feed supplements and biodiesel feedstocks. Titer point, iodine value, and free fatty acid content are the critical quality parameters that determine grade suitability and pricing in commercial contracts.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Acid oils are the acidic byproduct stream recovered during alkali refining of vegetable oils; they contain a mixture of free fatty acids, glycerides, and other impurities. Refined fatty acids are further processed to higher purity and specific chain-length profiles. The distinction matters for both pricing and end-use compliance — acid oils used in animal feed may require additional regulatory review depending on the destination country.
Key specifications include titer point (solidification temperature, indicating C18 content), iodine value (degree of unsaturation), free fatty acid content, and color (Gardner or Lovibond scale). Single-pressed, double-pressed, and triple-pressed grades reflect increasing C18 purity and command progressively higher prices; buyers should confirm the grade in the purchase contract and certificate of analysis.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| INDONESIA | $26.5M | -- | -$26.5M |
| CANADA | $661K | $3.7M | +$3.1M |
| MEXICO | $384K | $3.9M | +$3.5M |
| MALAYSIA | $3.8M | -- | -$3.8M |
| KOREA, SOUTH | $2K | $1.4M | +$1.4M |
Monthly import values over time