U.S. imports of Sodium (Elemental Metal) (HS 280511) totaled $1.8M in September 2026, imported from 5 countries.
Importers of Sodium (Elemental Metal) paid $221K in duties in September 2026, an average duty rate of 12.19% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Sodium (Elemental Metal) imports of $1.8M in September 2026 ran 17% above the year-to-date monthly average of $1.6M.
Last updated: September 2026 dataElemental sodium metal — classified under 2805110000 — is a highly reactive alkali metal used as a reducing agent in organic synthesis, a heat-transfer medium in certain nuclear reactors, and a precursor in titanium and other metal production. France leads US import supply, followed by China and Canada, with France's dominance reflecting the long-established sodium metal production capacity of its specialty chemical industry. Because sodium reacts violently with water, DOT hazardous materials regulations impose strict packaging, labeling, and transport requirements that importers must satisfy before shipment. Buyers should confirm that foreign suppliers hold the necessary certifications for pyrophoric/water-reactive material handling.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
33 import shipments a month
The largest end uses are chemical synthesis (as a strong reducing agent in pharmaceutical and specialty chemical manufacturing), production of sodium hydride and sodium alkoxides, and as a heat-transfer fluid in fast-neutron nuclear reactors. Titanium sponge production via the Kroll process also consumes sodium in some process variants.
Elemental sodium is classified by DOT as a water-reactive flammable solid (Division 4.3) and must be shipped in hermetically sealed, moisture-proof containers — typically steel drums under an inert atmosphere. Shipments require proper UN packaging certification, hazard placarding, and emergency response documentation. A licensed customs broker familiar with hazardous materials entries should be engaged for compliance review.
Subheading 3 of 5 in heading 2805
Subheading 280511 · $1.8M of $12.0M
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ImportsExports
Imports
$1.8MYoY · free account
Exports
—YoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to September 2026, the U.S. imported $17.7M of Sodium (Elemental Metal).
Through September 2026 · exports 11 of 12 months reported. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2805110000 | Sodium | $1.8M | 12.15% | 100.00% | $215K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2805110000 | Sodium | $108K |
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 · September 2026
origin
France and China together supply 100% of it.
customs district
entry
rate provision · imports
duty collected equals 12.19% of imports for consumption.