U.S. imports of Toluene (High Purity) (HS 290230) totaled $9.0M in August 2026, imported from 10 countries.
Importers of Toluene (High Purity) paid $795K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 8.83% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataToluene at 95% or greater purity by weight, classified under 2902300000, functions both as a high-octane gasoline blending component and as a chemical intermediate for toluene diisocyanate (TDI), benzene (via hydrodealkylation), and benzoic acid. Taiwan leads US imports under this heading, followed by South Korea and Canada — a supplier mix that reflects the concentration of aromatic petrochemical capacity in East Asia. Like benzene, toluene is a DOT hazardous material requiring proper shipping documentation, and its dual role as a fuel component and chemical feedstock can affect how it is valued and documented at entry.
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37 import shipments a month
Toluene meeting the 95% purity threshold is properly classified in Chapter 29 (heading 2902300000) as a defined chemical compound, not in Chapter 27. However, lower-purity toluene-rich streams — such as those derived directly from reformate without further purification — may fall under Chapter 27. The purity level, confirmed by a CoA, is the decisive classification factor, and importers should retain that documentation in their records.
When toluene is imported for fuel-blending purposes, it may be subject to EPA fuel additive regulations and excise tax considerations in addition to standard customs entry requirements. When imported as a chemical feedstock, TSCA inventory status is the primary regulatory concern. Importers should clearly state the intended end use in commercial documentation, as this can affect both the applicable regulatory pathway and the valuation methodology used by CBP.
Subheading 4 of 12 in heading 2902
Subheading 290230 · $9.0M of $209.9M
ImportsExports
Imports
$9.0MYoY · free account
Exports
$8.2MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $82.5M of Toluene (High Purity) and exported $106.7M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 290230 — Toluene (High Purity), so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2902300000 | Toluene With A Purity of 95% or More by Weight | $9.0M | 8.83% | 84.97% | $795K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2902300000 | Toluene With A Purity of 95% or More by Weight | $8.2M |
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 · August 2026
origin
Argentina and Canada together supply 98% of it. China pays 36.8% duty; Canada 0.0%.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
15.0% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 8.83% of imports for consumption.