Loading...
HSChapter 26
U.S. imports of zinc ores & concentrates (HS 260800) totaled $820K in April 2026, traded with 2 countries.
Last updated: April 2026 dataZinc concentrates — produced by flotation of sulfide zinc ores — are the primary feedstock for zinc smelters that supply galvanizing, die-casting alloys, and brass production, and the US schedule allocates value across five metal-content lines: lead content (2608000020), zinc content (2608000030), precious metal content (2608000035), silver content (2608000040), and other metal content (2608000055). Ireland and Peru lead US imports under this heading, with Canada, Finland, and China also supplying the market. Silver is frequently a significant co-product credit in zinc concentrates, making accurate assay-based valuation across multiple HTS lines a routine compliance requirement for importers.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Many zinc concentrates carry commercially significant silver grades, and US customs requires that the value attributable to silver be declared separately under 2608000040 rather than aggregated into the zinc-content line. The payable silver value is calculated from the final assay, the applicable silver price participation factor in the offtake contract, and any deductions for treatment charges. Failure to separately declare co-product metal values can result in undervaluation findings.
Zinc sulfide ores commonly contain lead as a co-occurring mineral, and the value of payable lead in the concentrate must be declared under 2608000020 separately from the zinc content line (2608000030). If lead content is below the smelter's payable threshold, it may have no commercial value and need not be separately declared, but importers should document this with the purchase contract terms to support the entry in the event of a CBP inquiry.
Supplier Network
Get discovered by U.S. importers searching for HS 260800 — Zinc Ores & Concentrates. Be the first supplier listed.
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CANADA | $820K | $14.7M | +$13.9M |
| MALAYSIA | -- | $1.2M | +$1.2M |
| KOREA, SOUTH | -- | $168K | +$168K |
| SINGAPORE | -- | $148K | +$148K |
| EL SALVADOR | -- | $19K | +$19K |
Monthly import values over time