U.S. imports of Vegetable Waxes (Excluding Triglycerides) (SITC 43141) totaled $4.5M in August 2026, imported from 18 countries.
Importers of Vegetable Waxes (Excluding Triglycerides) paid $45K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 1.00% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Vegetable Waxes (Excluding Triglycerides) imports of $4.5M in August 2026 ran 33% above the year-to-date monthly average of $3.4M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataPlant-derived waxes such as carnauba, candelilla, and rice bran wax — explicitly excluding triglyceride-based fats — are classified here based on their non-glyceride chemical structure, a distinction that separates them from vegetable oils and fats regardless of physical form. These waxes serve as functional ingredients in cosmetics, food coatings, polishes, and pharmaceutical tablet coatings, where their high melting points and film-forming properties are commercially essential. Brazil is the dominant global source for carnauba wax, the most widely traded variety in this heading, making supply concentration a relevant consideration for formulators.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
53 import shipments a month
Triglyceride-based plant lipids — regardless of their solid or semi-solid form at room temperature — are classified as fats or oils, not waxes. SITC 43141 captures only true botanical waxes with non-glyceride ester structures, such as carnauba (composed mainly of aliphatic esters) and candelilla. Importers should obtain a chemical composition report to confirm the absence of triglycerides when classification is in dispute.
Yes. Vegetable waxes used as food additives or surface coatings on fresh produce and confectionery are regulated by the FDA under its food additive and GRAS frameworks. Prior notice may be required for food-use shipments. Consult a licensed customs broker or the FDA to confirm the applicable admissibility pathway for your specific wax grade and intended use.
Basic heading 23 of 41 in section 4
Basic heading 43141 · $4.5M of $1.7B
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Imports · August 2026
origin
Brazil and Mexico together supply 79% of it. Vietnam pays 12.5% duty; Brazil 0.0%.
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
$4.5MYoY · free account
Exports
$1.1MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $33.2M of Vegetable Waxes (Excluding Triglycerides) and exported $20.0M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.