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SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of polishes & creams for footwear and leather (SITC 55431) totaled $671K in April 2026, traded with 20 countries.
Importers of Polishes & Creams for Footwear and Leather paid $90K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 16% on $568K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 2026 dataShoe polishes, leather conditioners, and similar cream or paste preparations formulated specifically for footwear and leather goods occupy this heading, explicitly excluding artificial and prepared waxes (which fall under a separate wax heading). The footwear and leather care market spans consumer retail tins and tubes as well as professional-grade bulk products used by cobblers and leather goods manufacturers. Solvent content and flammability classification are practical concerns for importers, as products with high organic solvent concentrations may trigger DOT hazardous materials packaging and labeling requirements during ocean or air freight.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Artificial and prepared waxes have their own dedicated tariff heading based on their chemical composition and physical form. When a product's primary character is that of a wax rather than a polish or cream preparation, it is classified under the wax heading regardless of its end-use application. Shoe polishes and leather creams that use wax as one ingredient among several functional components remain in this heading.
Shoe polishes containing flammable solvents (such as naphtha or mineral spirits) above certain flash-point thresholds are classified as flammable liquids under DOT 49 CFR, requiring proper UN packaging, hazard labels, and shipping documentation. Importers should obtain Safety Data Sheets from the manufacturer and confirm the flash point before booking ocean or air freight.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CANADA | $108K | $636K | +$528K |
| ITALY | $112K | $109K | -$3K |
| CHINA | $118K | $102K | -$16K |
| VIETNAM | -- | $202K | +$202K |
| UNITED KINGDOM | $98K | $56K | -$42K |
Monthly import values over time