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HSChapter 28
U.S. imports of sodium hydroxide in aqueous solution (caustic soda solution) (HS 281512) totaled $12.5M in April 2026, traded with 19 countries.
Importers of Sodium Hydroxide in Aqueous Solution (Caustic Soda Solution) paid $990K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 9.8% on $10.0M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Sodium Hydroxide in Aqueous Solution (Caustic Soda Solution) imports of $12.5M in April 2026 ran 23% above the year-to-date monthly average of $10.1M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataLiquid caustic soda — typically traded at 50% NaOH concentration — is a co-product of chlorine production and moves in bulk tank cars, ISO tanks, and barges to end users in chemical manufacturing, textile processing, and water treatment. Classified under 2815120000, it competes directly with domestically produced solution, so import volumes tend to respond quickly to US chlor-alkali operating rates. Japan and Canada are the leading foreign suppliers, with South Korea also a notable source, reflecting Pacific Rim chlor-alkali capacity that can swing to export when domestic Asian demand softens.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Commercial caustic soda solution is most commonly traded at 50% NaOH by weight, though 32% and 73% (diaphragm-grade) concentrations also exist. All aqueous NaOH solutions fall under 2815120000 regardless of concentration; the specification matters for pricing, freight planning, and end-use compatibility, not for tariff classification.
Because caustic soda is produced jointly with chlorine in electrolysis cells, output cannot be adjusted independently. When US chlorine demand is high and domestic plants run at capacity, caustic supply is ample and imports are minimal; when chlorine demand softens and plants curtail, domestic caustic supply tightens and imports from Japan, Canada, and South Korea tend to increase to fill the gap.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRAZIL | -- | $41.6M | +$41.6M |
| COSTA RICA | -- | $18.8M | +$18.8M |
| CANADA | $2.4M | $14.9M | +$12.5M |
| IRELAND | $156K | $8.4M | +$8.3M |
| URUGUAY | -- | $6.7M | +$6.7M |
Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2815120000 | SODIUM HYDROXIDE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION | $12.5M | 9.85% | $990K |
SODIUM HYDROXIDE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2815120000 | SODIUM HYDROXIDE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION | $127.7M |
SODIUM HYDROXIDE IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION
437.7M 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | $19K | $64.2M | +$64.1M |
| Louisiana | -- | $54.7M | +$54.7M |
| California | $6.3M | $217K | -$6.1M |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOUSTON, TX | $19K | $28.7M | +$28.7M |
| BATON ROUGE, LA | -- | $23.8M | +$23.8M |
| NEW ORLEANS, LA | -- | $17.1M | +$17.1M |