U.S. imports of Ferronickel (HS 720260) totaled $12.9M in August 2026, imported from 5 countries.
Importers of Ferronickel paid $58K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 0.45% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Ferronickel imports of $12.9M in August 2026 ran 12% below the year-to-date monthly average of $14.7M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataFerronickel is an intermediate nickel-iron alloy — typically containing 20–40% nickel — produced directly from laterite ores and used as a primary nickel unit source in stainless steel and nickel-alloy production. Brazil leads US import supply, with New Caledonia a significant secondary source; both are major laterite-ore processing centers whose output competes with refined nickel cathode on a cost-per-nickel-unit basis. All US imports enter under a single tariff line (7202600000). Buyers should note that ferronickel's nickel content and impurity profile (particularly sulfur and phosphorus) must meet melt shop specifications, making certificate-of-analysis review a standard procurement step.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
13 import shipments a month
Classification hinges on nickel content and the product's conformity to ferroalloy specifications. Ferronickel typically contains at least 20% nickel and is produced for deliberate alloying use, whereas nickel pig iron is a lower-nickel product classified elsewhere. A certified chemical analysis and the producer's product specification sheet are essential to support the correct heading.
Sulfur and phosphorus levels are the most closely watched impurities, as elevated concentrations can cause hot-shortness and reduce corrosion resistance in the finished steel. Carbon content also matters for certain austenitic grades. Buyers typically specify maximum limits for these elements in purchase contracts and verify compliance against the mill certificate before accepting a shipment.
Subheading 8 of 15 in heading 7202
Subheading 720260 · $12.9M of $236.1M
ImportsExports
Imports
$12.9MYoY · free account
Exports
—YoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $169.1M of Ferronickel and exported $674K.
Through August 2026 · exports 10 of 12 months reported. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7202600000 | Ferronickel | $12.9M | 0.45% | 4.00% | $58K |
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Imports · August 2026
origin
Brazil and Colombia together supply 84% of it.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
96.0% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 0.45% of imports for consumption.