U.S. imports of Activated Carbon (HS 380210) totaled $28.7M in August 2026, imported from 32 countries.
Importers of Activated Carbon paid $3.8M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 13.73% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Activated Carbon imports of $28.7M in August 2026 ran 16% above the year-to-date monthly average of $24.8M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataFeedstock origin is a defining commercial and classification variable for activated carbon: the US 10-digit schedule separates coal-derived (3802100010) from coconut-derived (3802100020) material, with a residual NESOI line (3802100050) covering wood-based and other sources. Coconut shell-derived activated carbon, prized for its microporous structure and performance in water and air purification, is sourced heavily from Sri Lanka and the Philippines, while coal-based grades serve industrial gas treatment and solvent recovery markets. India and Mexico are also significant suppliers. Antidumping and countervailing duty orders have historically applied to activated carbon from certain origins, making a thorough admissibility review essential before sourcing decisions are finalized.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
525 import shipments a month
The US tariff schedule explicitly separates coal-derived activated carbon (3802100010) from coconut-derived activated carbon (3802100020), with other sources falling under 3802100050. The distinction matters not only for classification accuracy but also because antidumping and countervailing duty orders have targeted specific feedstock-origin combinations — most notably coal-based activated carbon from China — so misclassification can result in significant duty underpayment liability.
Coconut shell-derived activated carbon has a predominantly microporous structure that makes it highly effective for removing small organic molecules in drinking water treatment, point-of-use filters, and gold recovery. Coal-based activated carbon tends to have a broader pore size distribution, making it better suited for industrial gas-phase applications, solvent recovery, and flue gas treatment. Specifying the correct grade and iodine or BET surface area number in purchase contracts is essential to ensure performance compliance.
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HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3802100020 | Activated Carbon Derived From Coconut | $14.0M | 14.92% | 98.30% | $2.1M |
| 3802100010 | Activated Carbon Derived From Coal | $8.1M | 11.61% | 64.90% | $941K |
| 3802100050 | Activated Carbon, NESOI | $5.6M | 13.80% | 89.17% | $771K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 3802100000 | Activated Carbon | $29.0M |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
ImportsExports
Imports
$28.7MYoY · free account
Exports
$29.0MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $283.5M of Activated Carbon and exported $446.1M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Subheading 1 of 2 in heading 3802
Subheading 380210 · $28.7M of $32.5M
Imports · August 2026
origin
India and Sri Lanka together supply 51% of it. China pays 42.3% duty; Canada 0.7%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
12.9% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 13.73% of imports for consumption.