Thioglycolic Acid from China

Thioglycolic acid (mercaptoacetic acid) is a colorless liquid organic sulfur compound used in hair perming solutions, metal cleaning, and polymer production. It falls under HTS 2930.90.49 as an organo-sulfur acid with sulfur directly linked to carbon, classified as 'other' acids not specifically enumerated elsewhere in heading 2930.

Duty Rate — China → United States

29.2%

Rate breakdown

9903.88.0325%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.13, 9903.88.18, 9903.88.33, 9903.88.34, 9903.88.35, 9903.88.36, 9903.88.37, 9903.88.38, 9903.88.40, 9903.88.41, 9903.88.43, 9903.88.45, 9903.88.46, 9903.88.48, 9903.88.56, 9903.88.64, 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(e) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(f)
9903.03.030%Articles the product of any country, as provided for in subdivision (aa)(ii) of U.S. note 2 to this subchapter

Import Tips

Provide detailed chemical analysis certificates confirming sulfur-carbon bond structure to verify Chapter 29 classification over Chapter 28 inorganic acids

Include Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and end-use declarations, as cosmetic vs industrial applications may trigger different regulatory scrutiny

Avoid misclassification as a simple thiol by documenting acid functionality; common pitfall is shipment without proper UN hazard labeling