U.S. exports of Polishes & Preparations for Coachwork (Vehicle Exterior Care) (SITC 55433) totaled $5.0M in August 2026.
Importers of Polishes & Preparations for Coachwork (Vehicle Exterior Care) paid $96K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 9.28% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Polishes & Preparations for Coachwork (Vehicle Exterior Care) imports of $1.0M in August 2026 ran 20% below the year-to-date monthly average of $1.3M.
Last updated: August 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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112 import shipments a month
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.
Basic heading 298 of 465 in section 5
Basic heading 55433 · $5.0M of $26.2B
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Exports · August 2026
destination
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
origin
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$1.0MYoY · free account
Exports
$5.0MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $14.7M of Polishes & Preparations for Coachwork (Vehicle Exterior Care) and exported $66.2M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.