Lipoic Acid (Alpha-Lipoic Acid) from Japan
Alpha-lipoic acid contains a five-membered disulfide ring with carboxylic acid, classified under HTS 2930.90.4950 as organo-sulfur acid. Direct C-S bonds qualify; cyclic but not excluded heterocyclic per note 8. Used as antioxidant supplement and diabetes treatment.
Duty Rate — Japan → United States
23.3%
Rate breakdown
9903.04.6210.8%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
• Include R/S racemic mixture specification (rac-alpha-lipoic acid)
• Provide USP assay >98% and heavy metals certification
• Distinguish bulk powder from encapsulated supplement form