Lambda Carrageenan Thickener from Japan
Lambda carrageenan from red algae serves as a non-gelling thickener for sauces, dressings, and beverages due to its high viscosity. It is explicitly covered by HTS 1302.39.00.10 as carrageenan, a vegetable-derived mucilage, provided it excludes exclusions like essential oils or medicaments per chapter notes. Commonly imported in bulk powder for food manufacturing.
Duty Rate — Japan → United States
12.5%
Rate breakdown
9903.05.4912.5%Section 301 (forced labor) — Japan (col1 rate < 12.5 percent): MFN < 12.5% → total duty capped at 12.5%
Import Tips
• Provide seaweed extraction process details to distinguish from synthetic polymers and ensure Chapter 13 classification
• Comply with Country of Origin marking; note if reprocessed in third countries to avoid transshipment scrutiny
• Avoid packaging over 25kg bags without stabilizers, as clumping can lead to net weight disputes at customs