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HSChapter 29
U.S. imports of methanol (methyl alcohol) (HS 290511) totaled $31.7M in April 2026, traded with 16 countries.
Importers of Methanol (Methyl Alcohol) paid $2.5M in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 13% on $20.0M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Methanol (Methyl Alcohol) imports of $31.7M in April 2026 ran 31% above the year-to-date monthly average of $24.1M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataMethanol is one of the most widely traded industrial chemicals globally, serving as a feedstock for formaldehyde, acetic acid, MTBE, and increasingly as a marine and power-generation fuel. The US HTS subdivides this heading by end-use: fuel applications (2905111000), chemical production (2905112010), wastewater treatment (2905112015), and all other uses (2905112085) — making declared end-use a critical element of correct entry. Trinidad and Tobago is the leading US supplier by a significant margin, owing to its large natural-gas-based methanol complex, with Canada also a major source under USMCA.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
The subdivision reflects different duty treatments tied to end-use: methanol imported solely for synthetic fuel production or direct fuel use (2905111000), for chemical production (2905112010), and for wastewater treatment (2905112015) each carry distinct tariff treatment. Importers must declare the intended end-use at entry, and CBP may require documentation — such as a purchase order or end-use certification — to substantiate the claimed classification.
Trinidad and Tobago's dominance as a supplier means US methanol prices and availability are sensitive to Caribbean natural gas production disruptions, shipping logistics through the Gulf of Mexico, and any bilateral trade policy changes. Importers relying heavily on this origin may benefit from monitoring Canadian supply as an alternative, particularly for chemical-grade methanol.
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Monthly import values over time
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRAZIL | -- | $66.8M | +$66.8M |
| KOREA, SOUTH | $19K | $52.1M | +$52.1M |
| BELGIUM | -- | $36.5M | +$36.5M |
| NETHERLANDS | $2K | $22.7M | +$22.7M |
| CANADA | $11.7M | $4.4M | -$7.3M |
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2905112010 | METHANOL, IMP FOR USE IN CHEM PRODUCTION | $30.8M | 13.00% | $2.5M |
| 2905112085 | METHANOL (METHYL ALCOHOL), NESOI | $749K | 1.59% | $9K |
| 2905111000 | METHANOL ONLY FOR PROD OF SYN FUEL OR USE AS FUEL | $130K | -- | -- |
METHANOL, IMP FOR USE IN CHEM PRODUCTION
METHANOL (METHYL ALCOHOL), NESOI
METHANOL ONLY FOR PROD OF SYN FUEL OR USE AS FUEL
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2905110000 | METHANOL (METHYL ALCOHOL) | $194.3M |
METHANOL (METHYL ALCOHOL)
594.2M l
NUCLEIC ACIDS & SALTS; OTHER HETEROCYCLIC CMP, NES
HS 293499
HETEROCYCLIC COMP W NITROGEN HETERO-ATM ONLY NESOI
HS 293399
POLYPEPTIDE PROTEIN& GLYCOPROTEIN HORMONES &DERIV
HS 293719
CMPDS CONT AN UNFUSED PYRIDINE RING ETC NESOI
HS 293339
COMP WITH PYRIMIDINE OR PIPERAZINE RING, NESOI
HS 293359
ANTIBIOTICS, NESOI
HS 294190
| State | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | $3.7M | $133.0M | +$129.3M |
| Texas | $3.8M | $57.7M | +$54.0M |
| North Carolina | $5.2M | $5K | -$5.2M |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| BATON ROUGE, LA | -- | $94.6M | +$94.6M |
| BEAUMONT, TX | -- | $43.4M | +$43.4M |
| NEW ORLEANS, LA | $3.7M | $16.8M | +$13.1M |