U.S. imports of Lithium Carbonates (HS 283691) totaled $24.1M in August 2026, imported from 8 countries.
Importers of Lithium Carbonates paid $619K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 2.56% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Lithium Carbonates imports of $24.1M in August 2026 ran 56% above the year-to-date monthly average of $15.5M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataLithium carbonate is a critical battery-supply-chain material, serving as a primary precursor for lithium-ion cathode chemistries used in electric vehicles and grid-scale energy storage, as well as a pharmaceutical-grade compound (USP grade) used in bipolar disorder treatment. The US schedule splits the heading into USP-grade (2836910010) and all other grades (2836910050), a distinction that carries significant implications for end-use documentation and regulatory handling. Argentina and Chile — the two dominant producers from the Lithium Triangle — lead US import supply, reflecting the geographic concentration of lithium brine resources in South America. Supply security and price volatility for battery-grade material are active concerns across the EV supply chain.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
18 import shipments a month
Lithium carbonate classified under 2836910010 must meet United States Pharmacopeia purity and quality standards, making it suitable for pharmaceutical manufacturing. The non-USP subheading (2836910050) covers technical and battery-grade material. Importers should ensure their commercial documentation and certificates of analysis clearly specify the grade to support the correct classification and avoid potential FDA scrutiny of pharmaceutical-grade material.
Argentina and Chile together account for the large majority of US lithium carbonate imports, meaning supply disruptions from policy changes, export restrictions, or production outages in either country can have outsized effects on availability and pricing. Buyers in the battery and EV sectors increasingly seek long-term offtake agreements and are evaluating alternative sources — including Australian spodumene-derived carbonate — to manage concentration risk.
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 283691 — Lithium Carbonates, so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
Subheading 1 of 8 in heading 2836
Subheading 283691 · $24.1M of $39.6M
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2836910050 | Lithium Carbonates, Except U.s.p. Grade, NESOI | $24.1M | 2.56% | 33.52% | $619K |
| 2836910010 | Lithium Carbonates, U.s.p. Grade | — | -- | -- | -- |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2836910050 | Lithium Carbonates, Except U.s.p. Grade, NESOI | $1.3M |
| 2836910010 | Lithium Carbonates, U.s.p. Grade | $750K |
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
$24.1MYoY · free account
Exports
$2.1MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $153.8M of Lithium Carbonates and exported $28.2M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Chile and Argentina together supply 100% of it. China pays 33.8% duty; Chile 2.3%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
66.5% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 2.56% of imports for consumption.