U.S. imports of Ferromolybdenum (HS 720270) totaled $21.1M in August 2026, imported from 9 countries.
Importers of Ferromolybdenum paid $1.6M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 6.11% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Ferromolybdenum imports of $21.1M in August 2026 ran 18% below the year-to-date monthly average of $25.8M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataMolybdenum's role as a solid-solution strengthener and corrosion inhibitor in high-strength low-alloy (HSLA), tool, and stainless steels makes ferromolybdenum a strategically important ferroalloy for the specialty steel and oil-country tubular goods sectors. Entering under a single tariff line (7202700000), it is produced primarily by roasting molybdenite concentrates, and Chile — the world's largest molybdenum mining country — leads US import supply. South Korea is also a notable source, reflecting its integrated steel and ferroalloy processing capacity. Price volatility in this market is closely tied to molybdenite byproduct output from copper mining operations.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
24 import shipments a month
A large share of global molybdenum supply comes as a byproduct of copper mining, meaning output levels are partly driven by copper market conditions rather than molybdenum demand alone. When copper mine production slows, molybdenite byproduct volumes fall, tightening ferromolybdenum supply independently of steel sector demand.
Most steel producers require ferromolybdenum with a molybdenum content of at least 60–65% by weight, with strict limits on phosphorus, sulfur, copper, and tin. These impurities can degrade the mechanical properties of the finished steel, so purchase contracts routinely specify maximum levels and require a certified mill analysis with each shipment.
Subheading 4 of 15 in heading 7202
Subheading 720270 · $21.1M of $236.1M
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ImportsExports
Imports
$21.1MYoY · free account
Exports
$3.0MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $258.6M of Ferromolybdenum and exported $28.8M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7202700000 | Ferromolybdenum | $26.0M | 6.11% | 48.91% | $1.6M |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 7202700000 | Ferromolybdenum | $3.0M |
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.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Chile and Mexico together supply 96% of it. Belgium pays 10.0% duty; Mexico 0.0%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
38.5% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 6.11% of imports for consumption.