Salicylic Acid from China
Salicylic acid is an aromatic carboxylic acid with a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to the benzene ring, making it a carboxylic acid with alcohol function but no other oxygen functions. It falls under HTS 2918.19.31.00 as an aromatic compound in this category, used primarily in skincare and pharmaceutical applications. This classification follows chapter notes prioritizing the alcohol function in aromatic carboxylic acids.
Duty Rate — China → United States
24%
Rate breakdown
9903.03.0110%Except for products described in headings 9903.03.02–9903.03.11, articles the product of any country, as provided for in subdivision (aa) of U.S. note 2 to this subchapter
9903.88.157.5%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.39, 9903.88.42, 9903.88.44, 9903.88.47, 9903.88.49, 9903.88.51, 9903.88.53, 9903.88.55, 9903.88.57, 9903.88.65, 9903.88.66, 9903.88.67, 9903.88.68, or 9903.88.69, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 20(r) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(s)
Import Tips
• Verify purity certificate to confirm it meets 'chemically defined organic compound' per chapter note (a); ensure COA specifies aromatic structure and alcohol function
• Common pitfall: misclassification as Chapter 30 pharmaceutical if impure
• Label as 'not for retail sale' to avoid heading 3212 exclusions