U.S. imports of Chloromethane and Chloroethane (HS 290311) totaled $1.9M in August 2026, imported from 4 countries.
Importers of Chloromethane and Chloroethane paid $219K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 11.76% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Chloromethane and Chloroethane imports of $1.9M in August 2026 ran 37% above the year-to-date monthly average of $1.4M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataChloromethane (methyl chloride) and chloroethane (ethyl chloride) are low-boiling halogenated hydrocarbons classified together under heading 290311, with the US schedule separating them at the 10-digit level into 2903110010 and 2903110020 respectively. Methyl chloride is widely used as a methylating agent in silicone and pharmaceutical production, while ethyl chloride serves as a blowing agent and local anesthetic precursor. Germany leads US imports under this heading, with China, the Netherlands, India, and Japan also supplying the market. Both compounds are subject to EPA TSCA certification, and methyl chloride is additionally regulated as an ozone-depleting substance under the Montreal Protocol framework.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
61 import shipments a month
Yes. Chloromethane (methyl chloride) is classified as a Class I ozone-depleting substance under the Montreal Protocol and is regulated by the EPA under the Clean Air Act. Importers must comply with EPA allowance and reporting requirements for controlled substances, in addition to standard TSCA certification. The specific regulatory obligations depend on the intended use and quantity imported.
The US tariff schedule separates the two compounds into distinct 10-digit lines: chloromethane (methyl chloride) under 2903110010 and chloroethane (ethyl chloride) under 2903110020. The distinction is based solely on chemical identity — one carbon versus two carbons in the alkyl chain — and must be supported by a Certificate of Analysis or equivalent documentation at entry.
Subheading 10 of 41 in heading 2903
Subheading 290311 · $1.9M of $50.6M
ImportsExports
Imports
$1.9MYoY · free account
Exports
$286KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $16.7M of Chloromethane and Chloroethane and exported $2.7M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Germany and China together supply 99% of it. China pays 43.0% duty; Germany 10.0%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
duty collected equals 11.76% of imports for consumption.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2903110010 | Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | $1.7M | 11.43% | 100.00% | $196K |
| 2903110020 | Chloroethane (Ethyl Chloride) | $144K | 15.70% | 100.00% | $23K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2903110010 | Chloromethane (Methyl Chloride) | $286K |
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.
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 290311 — Chloromethane and Chloroethane, so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.