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HSChapter 29
U.S. imports of terephthalic acid and its salts (HS 291736) totaled $32.5M in April 2026, traded with 4 countries.
Importers of Terephthalic Acid and Its Salts paid $266K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 10% on $2.6M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Terephthalic Acid and Its Salts imports of $32.5M in April 2026 ran 36% above the year-to-date monthly average of $23.9M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataPurified terephthalic acid (PTA) is the primary monomer for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin and polyester fiber, making it one of the most strategically important aromatic intermediates in global petrochemical trade. Mexico leads US imports under this heading, followed by South Korea and Taiwan — a supply profile shaped by proximity, integrated polyester production capacity, and existing trade relationships. All imports enter under a single 10-digit line (2917360000). Given PTA's role as a direct feedstock for PET bottle resin and textile fiber, supply disruptions can have rapid downstream effects on packaging and apparel manufacturing.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Terephthalic acid (para-phthalic acid) and isophthalic acid are positional isomers of benzene dicarboxylic acid. Terephthalic acid is classified at 2917360000 and is the dominant PET monomer; isophthalic acid falls under a different tariff line and is used primarily in specialty resins and coatings requiring enhanced flexibility or chemical resistance. The two are not interchangeable in most polymer applications, so correct identification on entry documents is essential.
Mexico hosts integrated PTA production capacity that serves both domestic Mexican PET manufacturing and US import demand, and geographic proximity reduces freight costs and lead times compared to Asian suppliers. Imports from Mexico may also benefit from USMCA treatment, which can affect the landed cost calculation relative to South Korean or Taiwanese supply.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEXICO | $29.8M | $17K | -$29.8M |
| CANADA | -- | $9.6M | +$9.6M |
| KOREA, SOUTH | $2.6M | -- | -$2.6M |
| TAIWAN | $29K | -- | -$29K |
| INDIA | -- | -- | -- |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2917360000 | TEREPHTHALIC ACID AND ITS SALTS | $32.5M | 10.07% | $266K |
TEREPHTHALIC ACID AND ITS SALTS
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2917360000 | TEREPHTHALIC ACID (P-PHTALIC ACID) AND ITS SALTS | $9.7M |
TEREPHTHALIC ACID (P-PHTALIC ACID) AND ITS SALTS
10.0K kg
NUCLEIC ACIDS & SALTS; OTHER HETEROCYCLIC CMP, NES
HS 293499
HETEROCYCLIC COMP W NITROGEN HETERO-ATM ONLY NESOI
HS 293399
POLYPEPTIDE PROTEIN& GLYCOPROTEIN HORMONES &DERIV
HS 293719
CMPDS CONT AN UNFUSED PYRIDINE RING ETC NESOI
HS 293339
COMP WITH PYRIMIDINE OR PIPERAZINE RING, NESOI
HS 293359
ANTIBIOTICS, NESOI
HS 294190
| State | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | $29.3M | -- | -$29.3M |
| Alabama | -- | $7.7M | +$7.7M |
| South Carolina | $1.3M | $1.5M | +$213K |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEW ORLEANS, LA | $25.2M | -- | -$25.2M |
| PORT HURON, MI | -- | $7.7M | +$7.7M |
| CHARLESTON, SC | $2.9M | -- | -$2.9M |