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SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of phenolic resins in primary forms (SITC 57544) totaled $10.2M in April 2026, traded with 21 countries.
Importers of Phenolic Resins in Primary Forms paid $618K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 13% on $4.8M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 2026 dataPhenol-formaldehyde (PF) resins — commercially known as Bakelite-type resins — are among the oldest synthetic polymers in industrial trade and remain essential binders for abrasive wheels, brake linings, foundry sand cores, and insulation boards. The primary-forms heading encompasses both resole and novolac grades, which differ fundamentally in their cure mechanism: resoles are self-curing under heat, while novolacs require a hardener such as hexamethylenetetramine. This distinction matters for classification when the resin is imported as a compound rather than a neat polymer.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Both resole and novolac grades fall within phenolic resins in primary forms, but a novolac pre-blended with hexamethylenetetramine hardener may be considered a compound or mixture rather than a pure polymer, potentially shifting its classification. Importers should verify the composition and any added curing agents with a customs broker.
Abrasives manufacturing (grinding wheels and coated abrasives), friction materials (brake pads and clutch facings), foundry binders for sand casting, and mineral wool insulation are the primary consuming sectors. Demand in these industries tends to track industrial production cycles rather than consumer spending.
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CANADA | $5.3M | $9.3M | +$4.0M |
| MEXICO | $2K | $3.1M | +$3.1M |
| SINGAPORE | $1.1M | $1.9M | +$807K |
| KOREA, SOUTH | $964K | $725K | -$240K |
| CHINA | $165K | $1.4M | +$1.3M |
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Monthly import values over time