Benzene (Coal Tar Origin)

Classified here when derived from coal tar distillation rather than petroleum refining, benzene under HTS 2707100000 is a foundational aromatic hydrocarbon used in the production of styrene, cumene, cyclohexane, and a wide range of petrochemicals. Its classification in Chapter 27 — rather than Chapter 29 — hinges on the coal tar origin requirement. The Netherlands and Canada are the primary foreign sources for US imports, with Denmark and Mexico also contributing. Importers should be aware that benzene is a regulated hazardous substance subject to EPA reporting thresholds under TSCA and EPCRA.