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SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of salicylic acid & its salts and esters (SITC 51393) totaled $8.0M in July 2026, traded with 17 countries.
Importers of Salicylic Acid & Its Salts and Esters paid $912K in duties in July 2026 — an effective duty rate of 16% on $5.7M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: July 2026 dataSalicylic acid occupies a dual commercial role as both a pharmaceutical active ingredient (keratolytic agent in dermatology) and a chemical intermediate for aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and other salicylate esters. Its salts — notably sodium salicylate — and esters such as methyl salicylate (oil of wintergreen) each have distinct regulatory and end-use profiles. Shipments intended for pharmaceutical or over-the-counter drug use are subject to FDA review, and importers should verify that the supplier holds appropriate drug-establishment registration and that the material meets USP or equivalent pharmacopeial specifications.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
159 shipments/mo
Basic heading 269 of 465 in section 5
Basic heading 51393 · $8.0M of $28.9B
Yes, methyl salicylate is an ester of salicylic acid and is classified under this heading. When used as a pharmaceutical or flavoring agent, it is subject to FDA oversight. High-concentration methyl salicylate products are also subject to child-resistant packaging requirements under CPSC rules when sold at retail, a consideration that affects finished-product importers more than bulk chemical importers.
USP-grade salicylic acid is required for pharmaceutical and OTC drug applications and must meet strict limits on heavy metals, related substances, and residual solvents. Technical-grade material used in dye or rubber chemical synthesis has looser specifications. Importers should specify the grade contractually and obtain a certificate of analysis for each lot, as mixing grades can create compliance liability if pharmaceutical-use material fails USP testing.
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Imports · July 2026
origin
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
destination
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$8.0MYoY · Pro
Exports
$1.6MYoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProThrough July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.