U.S. exports of Lithium Oxide and Hydroxide (HS 282520) totaled $19.0M in August 2026.
Importers of Lithium Oxide and Hydroxide paid $11K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 0.43% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Lithium Oxide and Hydroxide imports of $2.5M in August 2026 ran 51% above the year-to-date monthly average of $1.6M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataLithium hydroxide has become a strategically critical battery-grade chemical, serving as a primary cathode precursor for high-nickel lithium-ion cells used in electric vehicles and grid storage. Chile and Australia are the dominant US suppliers, reflecting their positions as the world's leading lithium brine and hard-rock producers, respectively. China also appears among the top sources, which is significant given that imports from China may be subject to Section 301 tariffs. The entire heading is captured under a single tariff line (2825200000), making grade and purity specifications — battery-grade versus technical-grade — a key commercial distinction even though the HTS does not subdivide them.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
11 import shipments a month
No — tariff line 2825200000 covers all lithium oxide and hydroxide regardless of purity grade. However, the commercial distinction between battery-grade (high-purity, low-impurity) and technical-grade product is critical for buyers in the EV supply chain, and purity specifications should be clearly stated in purchase contracts and certificates of analysis even though they do not affect the tariff classification.
Yes. Imports of lithium hydroxide from China under this heading are subject to Section 301 tariffs. Importers sourcing from China should confirm the applicable Section 301 list and any exclusion orders in effect at the time of entry, as these can change. Sourcing from Chile or Australia avoids Section 301 exposure.
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ImportsExports
Imports
$2.5MYoY · free account
Exports
$19.0MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $18.9M of Lithium Oxide and Hydroxide and exported $181.9M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Subheading 2 of 9 in heading 2825
Subheading 282520 · $19.0M of $137.0M
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2825200000 | Lithium Oxide and Hydroxide | $2.5M | 0.43% | 5.13% | $11K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2825200000 | Lithium Oxide and Hydroxide | $19.0M |
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.
Exports · August 2026
destination
Japan and Germany together take 96% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
94.9% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 0.43% of imports for consumption.