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HSChapter 29
U.S. imports of meta-xylene (m-xylene) (HS 290242) totaled $2K in June 2026, traded with 2 countries.
Meta-Xylene (m-Xylene) imports of $2K in June 2026 ran 43% below the year-to-date monthly average of $4K.
Meta-xylene (1,3-dimethylbenzene), classified under 2902420000, is the least commercially prominent of the three xylene isomers in terms of standalone trade volume, but serves as the feedstock for isophthalic acid — used in specialty polyester resins, coatings, and PET copolymers requiring enhanced barrier or thermal properties. Canada leads US imports, followed by Japan, India, and South Korea. Because meta-xylene is typically the most difficult isomer to separate from mixed xylene streams, its purity and isomer composition documentation are particularly important for classification and downstream quality acceptance.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
The HTS heading for meta-xylene (2902420000) does not specify a minimum purity threshold in the tariff schedule itself, unlike benzene or toluene. Commercially, buyers typically require 99% or higher purity for isophthalic acid production. Importers should document the actual purity on the CoA and invoice; a low-purity mixed stream containing meta-xylene as a component may not properly classify here and could instead fall under a mixed xylenes provision.
Meta-xylene is the most difficult C8 aromatic isomer to isolate because its boiling point is very close to para-xylene's, requiring specialized adsorption or crystallization separation technology. Most large-scale aromatic complexes are optimized for para-xylene production, leaving meta-xylene as a secondary output. This means global supply is more constrained relative to demand, and importers should plan for longer lead times and tighter spot availability compared to the other xylene isomers.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPAIN | -- | $10.2M | +$10.2M |
| SAUDI ARABIA | -- | $7K | +$7K |
| JAPAN | $2K | -- | -$2K |
| INDONESIA | -- | -- | -- |
| UNITED KINGDOM | -- | -- | -- |
Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2902420000 | META-XYLENE | $2K | 10.02% | 100.00% | $205 |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2902420000 | META-XYLENE (1,3-DIMETHYLBENZENE) | $10.2M |
NUCLEIC ACIDS & SALTS; OTHER HETEROCYCLIC CMP, NES
HS 293499
POLYPEPTIDE PROTEIN& GLYCOPROTEIN HORMONES &DERIV
HS 293719
CMPDS CONT AN UNFUSED PYRIDINE RING ETC NESOI
HS 293339
BENZENE
HS 290220
HETEROCYCLIC COMP W NITROGEN HETERO-ATM ONLY NESOI
HS 293399
HETEROCYCLIC COMP WITH UNFUSED PYRAZOLE RING NESOI
HS 293319
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| TEXAS CITY, TX | -- | $10.2M | +$10.2M |
| DALLAS-FORT WORTH, TX | -- | $7K | +$7K |
| CHICAGO, IL | $2K | -- | -$2K |