US Code

Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

26 U.S.C. § 4672

Definitions and special rules

(a)

Taxable substance

For purposes of this subchapter—
(1)

In general

The term “taxable substance” means any substance which, at the time of sale or use by the importer, is listed as a taxable substance by the Secretary for purposes of this subchapter.

(2)

Determination of substances on list

A substance shall be listed under paragraph (1) if—
(A)
the substance is contained in the list under paragraph (3), or
(B)
the Secretary determines, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, that taxable chemicals constitute more than 20 percent of the weight (or more than 20 percent of the value) of the materials used to produce such substance (determined on the basis of the predominant method of production).
If an importer or exporter of any substance requests that the Secretary determine whether such substance be listed as a taxable substance under paragraph (1) or be removed from such listing, the Secretary shall make such determination within 180 days after the date the request was filed.
(3)

Initial list of taxable substances

Cumene

Methylene chloride

Styrene

Polypropylene

Ammonium nitrate

Propylene glycol

Nickel oxide

Formaldehyde

Isopropyl alcohol

Acetone

Ethylene glycol

Acrylonitrile

Vinyl chloride

Methanol

Polyethylene resins, total

Propylene oxide

Polybutadiene

Polypropylene resins

Styrene-butadiene, latex

Ethylene oxide

Styrene-butadiene, snpf

Ethylene dichloride

Synthetic rubber, not containing fillers

Cyclohexane

Urea

Isophthalic acid

Ferronickel

Maleic anhydride

Ferrochromium nov 3 pct

Phthalic anhydride

Ferrochrome ov 3 pct. carbon

Ethyl methyl ketone

Unwrought nickel

Chloroform

Nickel waste and scrap

Carbon tetrachloride

Wrought nickel rods and wire

Chromic acid

Nickel powders

Hydrogen peroxide

Phenolic resins

Polystyrene homo­polymer resins

Polyvinylchloride resins

Melamine

Polystyrene resins and copolymers

Acrylic and methacrylic acid resins

Ethyl alcohol for nonbeverage use

Vinyl resins

Ethylbenzene

Vinyl resins, NSPF.
(4)

Modifications to list

The Secretary shall add to the list under paragraph (3) substances which meet either the weight or value tests of paragraph (2)(B) and may remove from such list only substances which meet neither of such tests.

(b)

Other definitions

For purposes of this subchapter—
(1)

Importer

The term “importer” means the person entering the taxable substance for consumption, use, or warehousing.

(2)

Taxable chemicals; United States

The terms “taxable chemical” and “United States” have the respective meanings given such terms by section 4662(a).

(c)

Disposition of revenues from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

The provisions of subsections (a)(3) and (b)(3) of section 7652 shall not apply to any tax imposed by section 4671.

Pub. L. 99–499, title V, § 515(a)100 Stat. 1768 Pub. L. 100–647, title II, § 2001(b)102 Stat. 3594 Pub. L. 114–125, title VIII, § 802(d)(2)130 Stat. 210 Pub. L. 117–58, div. H, title II, § 80201(c)(1)135 Stat. 1330 (Added , , ; amended , , ; , , ; , , .)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 117–582021—Subsec. (a)(2)(B). substituted “20 percent” for “50 percent” in two places.

Pub. L. 100–647, § 2001(b)(2)1988—Subsec. (a)(2). , inserted at end “If an importer or exporter of any substance requests that the Secretary determine whether such substance be listed as a taxable substance under paragraph (1) or be removed from such listing, the Secretary shall make such determination within 180 days after the date the request was filed.”

Pub. L. 100–647, § 2001(b)(1)Subsec. (a)(2)(B). , inserted “(or more than 50 percent of the value)” after “weight”.

Pub. L. 100–647, § 2001(b)(3)Subsec. (a)(4). , amended par. (4) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (4) read as follows:

In general“(A) .—The Secretary may add substances to or remove substances from the list under paragraph (3) (including items listed by reason of paragraph (2)) as necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.

Authority to add substances to list based on value“(B) .—The Secretary may, to the extent necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter, add any substance to the list under paragraph (3) if such substance would be described in paragraph (2)(B) if ‘value’ were substituted for ‘weight’ therein.”

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

section 802(d)(2) of Pub. L. 114–125section 211 of Title 6“Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection” substituted for “Commissioner of Customs” in subsec. (a)(2)(B) on authority of , set out as a note under , Domestic Security.

Effective Date of 2021 Amendment

Pub. L. 117–58section 80201(d) of Pub. L. 117–58section 4661 of this titleAmendment by effective , see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–647Pub. L. 99–499, title Vsection 2001(e) of Pub. L. 100–647section 56 of this titleAmendment by effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Superfund Revenue Act of 1986, , to which it relates, see , set out as a note under .

Effective Date

section 515(c) of Pub. L. 99–499section 4671 of this titleSection effective , see , set out as a note under .

Transfer of Functions

section 542 of Title 6Pub. L. 107–296section 211 of Title 6Pub. L. 114–125section 802(b) of Pub. L. 114–125section 211 of Title 6For transfer of functions, personnel, assets, and liabilities of the United States Customs Service of the Department of the Treasury, including functions of the Secretary of the Treasury relating thereto, to the Secretary of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see sections 203(1), 551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization Plan of , as modified, set out as a note under . For establishment of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the Department of Homeland Security, treated as if included in as of , see , as amended generally by , and , set out as a note under .

Presumption As a Taxable Substance for Prior Determinations

Pub. L. 117–58, div. H, title II, § 80201(c)(2)135 Stat. 1330

“Except as otherwise determined by the Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary’s delegate), any substance which was determined to be a taxable substance by reason of section 4672(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 prior to the date of enactment of this Act [] shall continue to be treated as a taxable substance for purposes of such section after such date.”
, , , provided that:

Publication of Initial List

Pub. L. 117–58, div. H, title II, § 80201(c)(3)135 Stat. 1330

“Not later than , the Secretary of the Treasury (or the Secretary’s delegate) shall publish an initial list of taxable substances under section 4672(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.”
, , , provided that: