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HSChapter 28
U.S. imports of selenium (elemental) (HS 280490) totaled $1.6M in April 2026, traded with 13 countries.
Selenium (Elemental) imports of $1.6M in April 2026 ran 34% above the year-to-date monthly average of $1.2M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataRecovered primarily as a by-product of copper refining, elemental selenium (2804900000) is a critical input for photovoltaic thin films (CIGS cells), xerographic drums, glass decolorization, and specialty alloys. The Philippines and Mexico are the leading US import sources — both countries host major copper smelting operations where selenium is recovered from anode slimes — with Japan also a significant supplier. Selenium's by-product nature means global supply is tightly linked to copper production volumes rather than independent mining, creating price and availability volatility that procurement teams must manage. EPA TSCA reporting requirements apply, and certain selenium compounds carry additional hazard classifications.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Selenium is not mined as a primary product; it is recovered almost exclusively from the anode slimes generated during electrolytic copper refining. This means global selenium output is capped by copper smelting capacity and cannot be independently scaled in response to demand spikes — a structural constraint that makes it particularly sensitive to copper industry cycles.
Heading 280490 and its 10-digit line 2804900000 cover only elemental selenium in its pure form. Inorganic selenium compounds (e.g., sodium selenite, selenium dioxide) are classified elsewhere in Chapter 28, while organic selenium compounds fall in Chapter 29. Misclassifying a compound as elemental selenium is a common error; consult a licensed customs broker to confirm the correct heading.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHILIPPINES | $1.2M | -- | -$1.2M |
| MEXICO | $236K | $83K | -$153K |
| HONG KONG | -- | $133K | +$133K |
| JAPAN | $123K | -- | -$123K |
| SWEDEN | $61K | -- | -$61K |
Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2804900000 | SELENIUM | $1.6M | -- |
SELENIUM
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2804900000 | SELENIUM | $221K |
SELENIUM
23.0K 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
| State | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $1.2M | -- | -$1.2M |
| Texas | $236K | $64K | -$172K |
| Utah | -- | $133K | +$133K |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEWARK, NJ | $1.2M | -- | -$1.2M |
| LAREDO, TX | $236K | $72K | -$164K |
| LOS ANGELES, CA | -- | $133K | +$133K |