U.S. imports of Para-Xylene (p-Xylene) (HS 290243) totaled $38.3M in August 2026, imported from 9 countries.
Importers of Para-Xylene (p-Xylene) paid $4.8M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 12.43% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Para-Xylene (p-Xylene) imports of $38.3M in August 2026 ran 23% below the year-to-date monthly average of $49.5M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataPara-xylene (1,4-dimethylbenzene), classified under 2902430000, is one of the most widely traded aromatic petrochemicals globally, serving as the essential feedstock for purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and ultimately polyester fiber, PET resin, and packaging film. Saudi Arabia and Oman lead US imports under this heading — reflecting the significant Middle Eastern investment in integrated aromatic complexes — with South Korea, Taiwan, and the Netherlands also supplying the market. The scale of global polyester demand makes para-xylene pricing highly sensitive to Asian textile and PET bottle production cycles.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
8 import shipments a month
Both Saudi Arabia and Oman host large, integrated petrochemical complexes that produce para-xylene as part of vertically integrated aromatic chains. Their cost-advantaged feedstock access and scale make them competitive exporters to the US market. However, importers should monitor geopolitical developments in the Gulf region and shipping route conditions through the Strait of Hormuz, as these can affect supply reliability and freight costs.
Para-xylene at sufficient purity to classify under 2902430000 is a discrete chemical compound, not a blend. Mixed xylenes — streams containing varying proportions of ortho-, meta-, and para-xylene plus ethylbenzene — classify differently and are not suitable as direct PTA feedstock without further isomer separation. Importers should confirm that the product meets the isomer purity specification required by their downstream process, as misclassification of a mixed stream as para-xylene can result in both customs penalties and production quality issues.
Subheading 2 of 12 in heading 2902
Subheading 290243 · $38.3M of $209.9M
ImportsExports
Imports
$38.3MYoY · free account
Exports
$33.8MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $516.1M of Para-Xylene (p-Xylene) and exported $449.3M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 290243 — Para-Xylene (p-Xylene), so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2902430000 | Para-Xylene | $38.3M | 12.43% | 99.42% | $4.8M |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2902430000 | Para-Xylene (1,4-Dimethylbenzene) | $33.8M |
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.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Saudi Arabia and Oman together supply 99% of it. Saudi Arabia pays 12.5% duty; Canada 0.0%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
0.6% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 12.43% of imports for consumption.