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SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of reactive dyes and preparations (SITC 53116) totaled $796K in April 2026, traded with 15 countries.
Importers of Reactive Dyes and Preparations paid $116K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 15% on $780K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Reactive Dyes and Preparations imports of $796K in April 2026 ran 50% above the year-to-date monthly average of $532K.
Last updated: April 2026 dataReactive dyes form a covalent bond with hydroxyl groups in cellulosic fibers or amine groups in wool and silk, producing the highest wash-fastness ratings of any dye class applied to cotton — a property that makes them the preferred colorant for high-quality apparel, home textiles, and technical fabrics. The reactive group chemistry (triazine, vinyl sulfone, or bifunctional variants) determines application temperature, fixation efficiency, and unfixed dye hydrolysis rates, all of which are critical parameters for mill process engineers evaluating a new preparation. Reactive dye preparations from China represent a significant share of US import volume and are subject to Section 301 tariff scrutiny.
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The most common reactive groups are monochlorotriazine (MCT), dichlorotriazine (DCT), and vinyl sulfone (VS), with bifunctional dyes combining two reactive groups for improved fixation. For classification purposes, the specific reactive group chemistry does not change the heading — all covalent-bonding fiber-reactive dyes for cellulosic or protein fibers fall within the reactive dyes heading — but it is commercially critical for specifying fixation conditions and wash-off procedures.
Reactive dyes that hydrolyze during storage or transit lose their ability to bond covalently with fiber, reducing fixation efficiency and increasing wash-off waste at the mill. Importers and buyers typically specify maximum hydrolysis levels and require sealed, moisture-proof packaging with limited shelf life from date of manufacture. Testing on arrival against the supplier's certificate of analysis is standard practice for quality-sensitive buyers.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| INDIA | $229K | -- | -$229K |
| KOREA, SOUTH | $198K | -- | -$198K |
| INDONESIA | $136K | -- | -$136K |
| IRELAND | $135K | -- | -$135K |
| CANADA | -- | $79K | +$79K |
Monthly import values over time