U.S. exports of Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash) (HS 281520) totaled $8.2M in August 2026.
Importers of Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash) paid $49K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 2.08% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash) imports of $2.3M in August 2026 ran 38% below the year-to-date monthly average of $3.8M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataCaustic potash serves as the alkali of choice in applications where sodium contamination is unacceptable — notably liquid soap and detergent formulation, alkaline battery electrolyte, and certain specialty fertilizers. The US tariff schedule divides the heading into solid form (2815200050) and all other forms including solution (2815200090), making physical state the key classification variable. South Korea and Belgium are the primary US import sources, with Jordan — a significant potash-mining country — also among the top suppliers.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
54 import shipments a month
The distinction is physical form: 2815200050 covers solid caustic potash (flakes, pellets, or sticks), while 2815200090 captures all other presentations, including aqueous solutions at any concentration. Importers should confirm the form with the supplier and document it on the commercial invoice to support correct classification.
In alkaline batteries, KOH electrolyte provides higher ionic conductivity than NaOH, improving cell performance. In liquid soap manufacturing, potassium-saponified fats remain fluid at room temperature, whereas sodium-saponified fats solidify — making caustic potash the standard choice for liquid hand soaps and shampoos.
Subheading 2 of 4 in heading 2815
Subheading 281520 · $8.2M of $119.5M
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 281520 — Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash), 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2815200090 | Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash), NESOI | $1.4M | 2.26% | 9.05% | $32K |
| 2815200050 | Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash); Solid Form | $911K | 1.80% | 4.79% | $16K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2815200090 | Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash), NESOI | $6.9M |
| 2815200050 | Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash); Solid Form | $1.3M |
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.
ImportsExports
Imports
$2.3MYoY · free account
Exports
$8.2MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $47.3M of Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash) and exported $102.1M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Exports · August 2026
destination
Canada and Norway together take 49% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
92.6% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 2.08% of imports for consumption.