Standard International Trade Classification
U.S. exports of Quaternary Ammonium Salts & Hydroxides; Lecithins & Phosphoaminolipids (SITC 51481) totaled $24.9M in August 2026.
Importers of Quaternary Ammonium Salts & Hydroxides; Lecithins & Phosphoaminolipids paid $1.9M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 11.62% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Quaternary Ammonium Salts & Hydroxides; Lecithins & Phosphoaminolipids imports of $16.3M in August 2026 ran 18% below the year-to-date monthly average of $19.9M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataQuaternary ammonium compounds (quats) and lecithins represent two commercially distinct product families grouped under this heading: quats are widely used as industrial disinfectants, fabric softeners, and surfactants, while lecithins — derived primarily from soy or sunflower — serve as emulsifiers in food, feed, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. The disinfectant applications of quaternary ammonium salts can trigger EPA registration requirements under FIFRA for products making pesticidal claims, while food-grade lecithins are subject to FDA GRAS status and labeling rules. Importers handling both product types under this heading should maintain separate compliance tracks given the divergent regulatory frameworks.
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407 import shipments a month
Quaternary ammonium products marketed with pesticidal or antimicrobial claims must be registered with the EPA under FIFRA before importation. Unregistered products making such claims can be refused entry. Importers should confirm registration status and ensure labeling complies with EPA requirements prior to shipment.
Food-grade lecithin must meet FDA purity and labeling standards and is subject to FDA admissibility review at entry. Industrial-grade lecithin used in non-food applications does not carry the same FDA requirements but may still require accurate end-use documentation to support the classification and avoid scrutiny. Consult a licensed customs broker or FDA regulatory specialist to confirm the applicable admissibility pathway for your specific product.
Basic heading 167 of 465 in section 5
Basic heading 51481 · $24.9M 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
$16.3MYoY · free account
Exports
$24.9MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $227.2M of Quaternary Ammonium Salts & Hydroxides; Lecithins & Phosphoaminolipids and exported $307.3M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.