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SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of inorganic tanning substances, tanning preparations & enzymatic pre-tanning preparations (SITC 53232) totaled $395K in April 2026, traded with 16 countries.
Importers of Inorganic Tanning Substances, Tanning Preparations & Enzymatic Pre-Tanning Preparations paid $39K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 13% on $295K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 2026 dataChromium sulfate and other inorganic tanning salts remain the dominant agents in global wet-blue leather production, while enzymatic preparations used in the bating and soaking stages of pre-tanning are a distinct and growing segment. Classification within this heading requires careful separation of pure inorganic tanning salts from formulated tanning preparations and from enzyme-based pre-tanning products, as each may carry different duty treatment. Environmental compliance — particularly wastewater regulations governing chromium discharge — is a significant operational consideration for importers supplying tanneries.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
A pure inorganic tanning substance, such as basic chromium sulfate, is classified on its own chemical identity. A tanning preparation is a formulated mixture — for example, chromium salts blended with masking agents, buffers, or auxiliaries — designed for direct use in a tannery process. The formulated nature of a preparation typically requires more detailed composition documentation at entry.
Enzymatic preparations used in bating and soaking are functionally part of the pre-tanning workflow, conditioning hides before the actual tanning stage. Trade classification groups them here based on their end-use purpose in leather manufacture rather than their biochemical nature, which means importers sourcing both enzyme products and inorganic salts for a tannery may find them consolidated under the same SITC heading for statistical reporting purposes.
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| HONG KONG | -- | $211K | +$211K |
| BRAZIL | $154K | -- | -$154K |
| MEXICO | $91K | $50K | -$41K |
| TURKEY | $46K | $29K | -$17K |
| NETHERLANDS | $63K | -- | -$63K |
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Monthly import values over time