U.S. imports of Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash) (HS 281520) totaled $4.8M in September 2026, imported from 24 countries.
Importers of Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash) paid $32K in duties in September 2026, an average duty rate of 0.66% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash) imports of $4.8M in September 2026 ran 24% above the year-to-date monthly average of $3.9M.
Last updated: September 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.
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61 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.
ImportsExports
Imports
$4.8MYoY · free account
Exports
—YoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to September 2026, the U.S. imported $44.1M of Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash).
Through September 2026 · exports 11 of 12 months reported. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · September 2026
origin
Belgium and South Korea together supply 83% of it. China pays 21.3% duty; Belgium 0.0%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
96.6% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 0.66% of imports for consumption.
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.
Subheading 3 of 4 in heading 2815
Subheading 281520 · $4.8M of $19.9M
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