SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of polishes & preparations for coachwork (vehicle exterior care) (SITC 55433) totaled $958K in April 2026, traded with 22 countries.
Importers of Polishes & Preparations for Coachwork (Vehicle Exterior Care) paid $97K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 11% on $920K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Polishes & Preparations for Coachwork (Vehicle Exterior Care) imports of $958K in April 2026 ran 21% below the year-to-date monthly average of $1.2M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataAutomotive paint polishes, car waxes in cream or paste form, and similar coachwork preparations — excluding metal polishes and artificial or prepared waxes — are classified here. 'Coachwork' in trade terminology refers to vehicle exterior bodywork, making this the heading for consumer and professional automotive detailing products such as paint correction compounds, swirl removers, and protective coating preparations that are not pure waxes. The automotive aftermarket is a significant end-use sector, and importers should distinguish these products from metal polishes (which have their own heading) and from prepared waxes, both of which are explicitly excluded.
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Metal polishes are specifically excluded from this heading and classified separately. A coachwork preparation is designed to treat painted or lacquered vehicle surfaces — restoring gloss, filling micro-scratches, or providing a protective layer over paint. A metal polish, by contrast, is formulated to clean, brighten, or remove oxidation from bare metal surfaces. Products marketed for chrome trim or bare aluminum wheels would typically fall under the metal polish heading rather than here.
Generally yes, if they are formulated as cream or paste preparations for coachwork and their primary function is to restore or protect painted vehicle surfaces. However, if the abrasive content is so high that the product's essential character is that of a scouring or abrasive preparation rather than a polish, classification under the scouring preparations heading may be more appropriate. The product's formulation, marketed use, and abrasive concentration are all relevant factors.
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Monthly import values over time