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SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of lactones, not elsewhere specified (SITC 51563) totaled $24.8M in April 2026, traded with 25 countries.
Importers of Lactones, Not Elsewhere Specified paid $1.5M in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 7.9% on $18.9M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Lactones, Not Elsewhere Specified imports of $24.8M in April 2026 ran 15% above the year-to-date monthly average of $21.5M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataBeyond the commercially prominent coumarins and caprolactam, a broad range of cyclic ester (lactone) structures — including gamma-butyrolactone (GBL), delta-valerolactone, and various macrocyclic musk lactones — fall into this residual NES heading. GBL in particular carries significant regulatory complexity: it is a DEA List I chemical precursor to GHB and is subject to strict import controls, requiring importers to hold appropriate DEA registration and comply with reporting requirements. Other lactones in this heading serve legitimate industrial roles as solvents, polymer intermediates, and fragrance ingredients, but the presence of controlled substances in the category makes due-diligence screening essential.
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GBL is designated a List I chemical by the DEA under the Controlled Substances Act due to its role as a GHB precursor. Importers must be registered with the DEA, file import declarations, and comply with threshold reporting requirements. Shipments without proper DEA authorization are subject to seizure and civil or criminal penalties.
The CAS number and chemical name should be explicitly stated on all entry documents. Non-controlled lactones such as delta-valerolactone or macrocyclic musks require no DEA registration, but customs brokers and CBP officers may scrutinize lactone shipments carefully given the presence of GBL in the category. Clear product identification and a supplier certificate of analysis help expedite clearance.
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Monthly import values over time