U.S. imports of Terephthalic Acid and Its Salts (HS 291736) totaled $37.1M in August 2026, imported from 5 countries.
Importers of Terephthalic Acid and Its Salts paid $285K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 0.76% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Terephthalic Acid and Its Salts imports of $37.1M in August 2026 ran 16% above the year-to-date monthly average of $31.8M.
Last updated: August 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.
62 import shipments a month
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.
Subheading 1 of 13 in heading 2917
Subheading 291736 · $37.1M of $95.9M
ImportsExports
Imports
$37.1MYoY · free account
Exports
$3.8MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $343.1M of Terephthalic Acid and Its Salts and exported $46.9M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Mexico and South Korea together supply 100% of it. South Korea pays 12.5% duty; Mexico 0.0%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
94.7% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 0.76% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2917360000 | Terephthalic Acid and Its Salts | $37.4M | 0.76% | 6.10% | $285K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2917360000 | Terephthalic Acid (P-Phtalic Acid) and Its Salts | $3.8M |
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.
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