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SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of synthetic organic fluorescent brightening agents (SITC 53121) totaled $4.7M in April 2026, traded with 27 countries.
Importers of Synthetic Organic Fluorescent Brightening Agents paid $773K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 17% on $4.5M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 2026 dataFluorescent brightening agents (FBAs), also called optical brighteners or fluorescent whitening agents, absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit it as visible blue light, counteracting the yellowing of substrates to produce a perception of enhanced whiteness in textiles, paper, and detergents. Stilbene-based and coumarin-based chemistries dominate commercial trade, with stilbene derivatives being the primary type used in laundry detergents and textile finishing. FBAs are high-volume specialty chemicals with significant import flows from Asian producers, and certain formulations are subject to TSCA inventory requirements upon entry into the United States.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Yes. FBAs are chemical substances subject to TSCA, and importers must ensure the specific substance is listed on the TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory or that an applicable exemption (such as the polymer exemption or low-volume exemption) applies. Substances not on the inventory require a Pre-Manufacture Notice (PMN) or equivalent notification before import.
Fluorescent brightening agents function by UV absorption and blue-light emission to enhance apparent whiteness — they do not impart a visible color in the conventional sense. Fluorescent dyes, by contrast, are used to impart a visible colored appearance to a substrate. This functional distinction, rather than chemical structure alone, determines whether a substance belongs in the brightening agent heading or in one of the dye headings.
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| KOREA, SOUTH | $589K | $11.5M | +$10.9M |
| TAIWAN | $530K | $1.9M | +$1.4M |
| CANADA | $16K | $2.3M | +$2.3M |
| MEXICO | $29K | $1.9M | +$1.9M |
| INDIA | $1.6M | $60K | -$1.6M |
Monthly import values over time
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