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HSChapter 28
U.S. imports of potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) (HS 281520) totaled $5.9M in April 2026, traded with 22 countries.
Importers of Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash) paid $78K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 20% on $385K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Potassium Hydroxide (Caustic Potash) imports of $5.9M in April 2026 ran 35% above the year-to-date monthly average of $4.3M.
Last updated: April 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.
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.
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Monthly import values over time
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CANADA | $23K | $4.1M | +$4.1M |
| BELGIUM | $2.8M | $1.0M | -$1.8M |
| KOREA, SOUTH | $1.3M | $61K | -$1.2M |
| MEXICO | $315K | $874K | +$559K |
| BRAZIL | -- | $1.1M | +$1.1M |
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2815200090 | POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE (CAUSTIC POTASH), NESOI | $3.9M | 20.68% | $4K |
| 2815200050 | POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE (CAUSTIC POTASH); SOLID FORM | $1.9M | 20.12% | $74K |
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE (CAUSTIC POTASH), NESOI
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE (CAUSTIC POTASH); SOLID FORM
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2815200090 | POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE (CAUSTIC POTASH), NESOI | $8.7M |
| 2815200050 | POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE (CAUSTIC POTASH); SOLID FORM | $1.9M |
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE (CAUSTIC POTASH), NESOI
10.2M kg
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE (CAUSTIC POTASH); SOLID FORM
2.3M kg
URANIUM ENRICHED IN U235 ETC. PLUTONIUM ETC.
HS 284420
NATURAL URANIUM & COMPOUNDS, ALLOYS & CERAMICS ETC
HS 284410
ANHYDROUS AMMONIA
HS 281410
ALLOYS, DISPERSIONS,ISOTOPES & COMPOUNDS NES
HS 284443
SILICON, UNDER 99.99% (BY WEIGHT) SILICON
HS 280469
PHOSPHORIC ACID AND POLYPHOSPHORIC ACIDS
HS 280920
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| JACKSONVILLE, FL | $2.8M | -- | -$2.8M |
| HOUSTON, TX | $436K | $2.1M | +$1.7M |
| BUFFALO-NIAGARA FALLS, NY | $20K | $1.8M | +$1.8M |