U.S. exports of Ortho-Xylene (o-Xylene) (HS 290241) totaled $6.2M in August 2026.
Importers of Ortho-Xylene (o-Xylene) paid $2K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 0.19% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Ortho-Xylene (o-Xylene) imports of $818K in August 2026 ran 16% below the year-to-date monthly average of $970K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataOrtho-xylene (1,2-dimethylbenzene), classified under 2902410000, is commercially valued almost exclusively as the precursor to phthalic anhydride, which in turn feeds plasticizer and alkyd resin production. Its positional isomer specificity — distinguishing it from meta- and para-xylene — is what drives its separate HTS classification and its distinct pricing in the aromatic complex. Canada is the leading US import source, with Germany, Spain, France, and South Korea also supplying the market. The European supplier presence reflects phthalic anhydride production integration in that region.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
17 import shipments a month
CBP may request a certificate of analysis showing the isomer composition by gas chromatography. A product described as 'mixed xylenes' or 'xylene isomers' would not qualify for 2902410000 and would instead classify under a different provision. Importers should ensure the commercial invoice and CoA specifically identify the product as ortho-xylene (1,2-dimethylbenzene) with the relevant purity data.
Phthalic anhydride production is the overwhelmingly dominant end use for ortho-xylene, and phthalic anhydride is itself a key input for plasticizers (used in PVC) and alkyd resins (used in coatings). Import demand for ortho-xylene therefore tracks construction activity, automotive production, and coatings industry cycles rather than the polyester fiber demand that drives para-xylene volumes.
Subheading 7 of 12 in heading 2902
Subheading 290241 · $6.2M of $242.6M
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ImportsExports
Imports
$818KYoY · free account
Exports
$6.2MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $8.4M of Ortho-Xylene (o-Xylene) and exported $68.6M.
Through August 2026 · exports 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2902410000 | Ortho-Xylene | $818K | 0.19% | 2.17% | $2K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2902410000 | Ortho-Xylene (1,2-Dimethylbenzene) | $6.2M |
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
Mexico and Saudi Arabia together take 100% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
97.8% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 0.19% of imports for consumption.