Citric acid
柠檬酸
Citric acid is the largest single fermentation chemical out of China by export tonnage and the workhorse acidulant for food, beverage, and cleaning applications. Anhydrous and monohydrate grades trade at different price points and require different packaging dryness controls. The supply base is dominated by RZBC, TTCA, and Cofco Biochemical, with corn-starch feedstock in Shandong and Anhui driving cost. US imports carry an anti-dumping duty order that has been in place since the 2009 USITC investigation and continues to be reviewed; verify against access.trade.gov before invoicing. Section 301 sits on top of the AD margin where it applies, so the duty stack on this code can run substantially above the FOB China price for first-time importers. This cluster aggregates CAS 77-92-9 across the regulatory matrix, the CAS page, and the citric-acid hub with grade selection and the buying notes that decide whether the cargo lands food-grade or technical-grade.
Glossary
Terms you will meet on this lane
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AD, Anti-Dumping Duty
Additional import duty imposed by a destination country on goods sold below fair market value (dumped) by a specific exporter or country of origin. Applied at the producer level, different rates for different Chinese factories, sometimes 0 percent for cooperating producers and 100+ percent for non-cooperating ones.
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CVD, Countervailing Duty
Additional import duty imposed by a destination country to offset government subsidies that benefit a foreign producer. For Chinese exports, CVD investigations target subsidies including preferential loans, tax exemptions, energy subsidies, raw-material price supports, and provincial industrial policies. Often imposed alongside anti-dumping duty.
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Drawback, Duty Drawback
Refund of import duties (including MFN, Section 301, anti-dumping, and countervailing duties) on goods that are subsequently exported, used in the manufacture of exported goods, or destroyed under customs supervision. A significant cost-recovery tool for importers who re-export or manufacture for export.
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HS Code, Harmonized System Code
A six-digit international product classification code used by customs authorities worldwide to identify goods, assess duties, and apply trade controls. Countries extend the six-digit base with additional digits for tariff and statistical purposes (10-digit HTS in the US, 8-digit CN code in the EU, 10-digit AHECC in Australia).
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COA, Certificate of Analysis
A document issued by the manufacturer (or by an accredited third-party lab) certifying that a specific batch of a chemical or material meets the agreed specification. Lists tested parameters, results, the test methods used, and a batch number that ties back to production.
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SDS, Safety Data Sheet
The 16-section document that communicates the hazards, handling, storage, and emergency response information for a chemical product. Required at destination customs for any classified hazardous chemical and at the buyer's site for worker safety. SDS is the GHS-aligned successor to the older MSDS format.
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FOB, Free On Board
Incoterm under which the seller delivers the goods on board the vessel at the named port of shipment. Risk and cost transfer to the buyer once the cargo crosses the ship's rail. The buyer arranges and pays for sea freight, marine insurance, and all destination-side costs.
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CIF, Cost, Insurance, and Freight
Incoterm under which the seller is responsible for the cost of the goods, marine insurance, and sea freight to the named destination port. Risk transfers from seller to buyer when the goods are loaded on board at the origin port, but cost responsibility extends to destination port arrival.
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DDP, Delivered Duty Paid
Incoterm under which the seller is responsible for delivering the goods to the buyer's named destination, including all transport, customs clearance, duties, taxes, and unloading at destination. The most seller-heavy Incoterm, often misused in China-export quotes.
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VAT Rebate, VAT Export Rebate
The Chinese government refund of value-added tax paid on inputs used to produce goods for export. Set as a percentage of the export FOB value, varying by HS code and adjusted by the State Administration of Taxation. Rebates of 13%, 9%, 6%, or 0% are typical for chemical exports. The rebate is the single largest policy lever the Chinese government uses to influence which chemicals are exported and at what scale.
Regulatory matrix
Cross-jurisdiction compliance
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Citric acid under REACH
European Union listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
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Citric acid under TSCA
United States of America listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
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Citric acid under IECSC
People's Republic of China listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
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Citric acid under AICIS
Australia listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
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Citric acid under K-REACH
Republic of Korea listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
Cornerstone hub
Buying chain end to end
Sourzi operator note
The AD margin on Chinese citric acid is the line item that decides the landed-cost margin. The cash-deposit rate at customs is the operative number, not the original 2009 investigation rate.
Curated by Sean. Primary-source verified per the regulatory drafting rules in Sourzi CLAUDE.md.
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