U.S. exports of Synthetic Organic Tanning Substances (SITC 53231) totaled $692K in August 2026.
Importers of Synthetic Organic Tanning Substances paid $38K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 11.87% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Synthetic Organic Tanning Substances imports of $322K in August 2026 ran 133% above the year-to-date monthly average of $138K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataSyntans — synthetic organic tanning agents — are widely used in modern leather production as replacements for or supplements to vegetable tannins, offering more consistent color, faster penetration, and tighter process control. These chemically engineered compounds, typically sulfonated aromatic condensates, are a key input for tanneries producing automotive upholstery, footwear, and garment leather. Trade in syntans is sensitive to downstream leather-sector demand cycles and to environmental regulations governing chromium-free tanning processes.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
28 import shipments a month
Depending on the specific chemical compound and country of origin, certain synthetic organic chemicals may be subject to antidumping or countervailing duty orders. Importers should check the US International Trade Commission and Commerce Department order lists for any active orders covering sulfonated or aromatic tanning condensates from specific origins.
Syntans offer more uniform molecular weight distribution and predictable reactivity compared to the complex polyphenol mixtures in vegetable extracts. They are commonly used in retanning to improve softness, fill, and dye uptake, and are central to chromium-free tanning systems increasingly demanded by automotive and luxury goods brands with restricted substance requirements.
Basic heading 403 of 465 in section 5
Basic heading 53231 · $692K of $26.2B
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Exports · August 2026
destination
Vietnam and China together take 77% of it.
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
$322KYoY · free account
Exports
$692KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $1.7M of Synthetic Organic Tanning Substances and exported $7.8M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.