The United States market for Indian castor oil & derivatives
US buyers take refined and pharma grades, plus derivatives for coatings and lubricants. US duty on Indian goods as of 22 Oct 2026 (per our compliance research, secondary legal analysis): MFN rate plus a 10% Section 301 tariff in force since 24 Jul 2026; Section 232 goods (steel, aluminium, copper, autos/parts) pay the 232 rate instead. Re-verify before quoting landed cost.
Castor Oil & Derivatives specification for United States orders
| Parameter | Typical export value |
|---|---|
| Acid value (FSG) | ≤ 2.0 mg KOH/g (typical) |
| Moisture & volatiles | ≤ 0.25% (typical) |
| Hydroxyl value | 160-168 (typical) |
| Iodine value | 82-90 (typical) |
| Saponification value | 176-187 (typical) |
| Colour | Gardner ≤ 3 for FSG; lighter for pale pressed (typical) |
Final values are agreed per contract and checked against the United States requirements below, then confirmed by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Import requirements in United States
| Requirement | Regulator | Document / registration |
|---|---|---|
| Import permit / phytosanitary | USDA APHIS | APHIS permit (where required); PSC; ACIR tool; ISPM-15 WPM |
| Lacey Act | USDA APHIS / CBP | Lacey Act plant product declaration |
| Facility registration | FDA | Food Facility Registration (biennial, even years Oct-Dec) + US Agent |
| Advance notice of each shipment | FDA | Prior Notice via PNSI/ACE (<=5 days before; min 8h sea / 2h air) |
| Importer supplier verification | FDA (FSMA) | FSVP by the US importer |
| Process filing | FDA | FCE registration + SID process filing |
| MoCRA compliance | FDA | Facility registration (biennial); product listing; adverse event reporting (15 business days); safety substantiation |
| Drug approval & facility | FDA | ANDA/NDA; establishment registration; DMF; cGMP inspection |
General guidance as of November 2026. Confirm with your customs broker or the regulator before shipping. Final regulatory decisions require professional verification.
Shipping castor oil & derivatives to United States
Typical sea transit Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) → New York / New Jersey: 24-30 via Suez; 32-40 via Cape days. India-USEC services route via Suez/Med when open; FDA prior notice >=8h before arrival by sea
Supply window: Indian castor oil & derivatives is mainly produced or harvested First flush Mar-Apr; second flush May-Jun; rains Jul-Sep; autumnal Oct-Nov (ASSUMPTION - standard flush calendar); First flush Mar-Apr; second flush May-Jun; autumn Oct-Nov (ASSUMPTION). Allow 24-30 via Suez; 32-40 via Cape days at sea plus 5–10 days for inspection, export clearance and United States customs when you set delivery dates.
Container loading (estimate): 20' Flexitank ~20-22 MT; drums 80 x ~190 kg ≈ 15 MT, 40' HC Not normally used (20' preferred for weight).
Quoted on FOB, CFR, CIF; CIF New York / New Jersey is the common choice for first orders.
Where buyers are in United States
| City | Port / airport | Buyer sectors |
|---|---|---|
| Houston | Port Houston (Bayport & Barbours Cut container terminals) · George Bush Intercontinental ( | chemicals/petrochem traders, oilfield & engineering goods buyers (pipes, valves |
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to import castor oil & derivatives into United States?
Key requirements: Import permit / phytosanitary — USDA APHIS (APHIS permit (where required); PSC; ACIR tool; ISPM-15 WPM); Lacey Act — USDA APHIS / CBP (Lacey Act plant product declaration); Facility registration — FDA (Food Facility Registration (biennial, even years Oct-Dec) + US Agent); Advance notice of each shipment — FDA (Prior Notice via PNSI/ACE (<=5 days before; min 8h sea / 2h air)). Your customs broker confirms the full list for your HS line.
How long does shipping from India to United States take?
Typically 24-30 via Suez; 32-40 via Cape days port-to-port from Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) to New York / New Jersey, plus 5–10 days for stuffing, export clearance and destination clearance (estimates).
Does United States have a trade agreement with India?
No FTA; BTA under negotiation (talks 1–4 Jun 2026) [S7]. Tariff on Indian goods as of 22 Oct 2026: MFN + 10% Section 301 (from 24 Jul 2026), or the Section 232 rate for steel/aluminium/autos/copper; IEEPA tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court 20 Feb 2026 — verify weekly [06 §C.3] A preferential certificate of origin is needed to claim any reduced duty.
Which HS code applies to castor oil & derivatives from India?
Usually HS 151530. United States applies its own national tariff extension to the 6-digit code; confirm the full line with your broker.
What is FSG castor oil?
First Special Grade: the benchmark industrial specification (low acid value and moisture, light colour) used in most contracts.
Is castor oil hazardous to ship?
No. Castor oil is not classified as dangerous goods. The toxic ricin stays in the seed meal, not the oil.
When is the new crop?
Castor is harvested in Gujarat from roughly January to April, so new-crop oil flows from early spring (ASSUMPTION - varies by season).
Related guides
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