U.S. imports of Solid Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) (HS 281511) totaled $2.4M in August 2026, imported from 19 countries.
Importers of Solid Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) paid $221K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 9.20% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataSolid caustic soda — produced as flakes, pellets, or prills by evaporating chlor-alkali electrolysis liquor — is a foundational industrial alkali used in pulp and paper bleaching, alumina refining, and soap manufacturing. The US tariff schedule captures all solid forms under a single line (2815110000), making physical form (flake vs. pearl vs. micropearl) a commercial rather than a classification distinction. Sweden leads US imports under this heading, an unusual sourcing pattern that reflects Scandinavian chlor-alkali capacity tied to the region's large pulp and paper industry.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
77 import shipments a month
Solid sodium hydroxide (281511) and aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (281512) are classified under separate HS headings. Solid forms offer higher NaOH content per shipment weight and lower freight cost per unit of alkali, but require moisture-controlled packaging and specialized unloading equipment, whereas solution is pumped directly into storage tanks.
Importers should verify current antidumping and countervailing duty orders with CBP and the International Trade Commission, as caustic soda has historically been subject to trade remedy proceedings from certain origins. The applicable measures and scope can change; a licensed customs broker or trade attorney can confirm current order status before shipment.
ImportsExports
Imports
$2.4MYoY · free account
Exports
$1.9MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $30.4M of Solid Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) and exported $19.4M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Sweden and Taiwan together supply 56% of it. Thailand pays 11.7% duty; Mexico 0.0%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
14.6% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 9.20% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2815110000 | Solid Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | $2.4M | 9.20% | 85.44% | $221K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2815110000 | Solid Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) | $1.9M |
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.
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 281511 — Solid Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda), so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
Subheading 2 of 4 in heading 2815
Subheading 281511 · $2.4M of $19.9M