Lactic Acid from Japan
Lactic acid (2-hydroxypropanoic acid) is a carboxylic acid containing a hydroxyl group, classifying it under HTS 2918.19.90.00 as a carboxylic acid with alcohol function but without other oxygen functions. It is commonly used in food preservation, cosmetics, and biodegradable plastics.
Duty Rate — Japan → United States
23.5%
Rate breakdown
9903.04.6211%Patented pharmaceutical articles that are the product of Japan, of a European Union member country, of South Korea, of Switzerland, or of Liechtenstein as provided for in subdivisions (c) and (f) of U.S. note 40 to this subchapter
9903.05.4912.5%Except for products described in headings 9903.05.85–9903.05.92, articles the product of Japan, with an ad valorem (or ad valorem equivalent) rate of duty under column 1 less than 12.5 percent, as provided for in U.S. note 52 to this subchapter
Import Tips
• Verify purity levels and provide Certificates of Analysis (COA) to confirm classification as chemically defined compound
• Ensure proper labeling for food-grade vs industrial-grade to avoid reclassification under Chapter 38 mixtures
• Check for stabilizer additions that might trigger note 1(f) but confirm they don't alter general use classification