U.S. exports of Industrial Sand Mining (NAICS 212322) totaled $34.9M in August 2026.
Importers of Industrial Sand Mining paid $252K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 4.96% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Industrial Sand Mining imports of $5.1M in August 2026 ran 15% above the year-to-date monthly average of $4.4M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataHigh-purity silica sand — distinguished from construction-grade aggregate by its SiO₂ content, grain roundness, and size uniformity — serves as a critical input for glass manufacturing, hydraulic fracturing (frac sand), foundry casting, and specialty coatings. Frac sand demand in particular has made industrial sand a strategically watched commodity, with supply tightness during drilling booms affecting pricing across all end-use segments. Importers should note that industrial sand is classified separately from common construction sand under the HTS, and the specific grade and processing level determine the applicable heading.
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228 import shipments a month
Industrial sand is defined by high silica purity (typically above 95% SiO₂), controlled grain size distribution, and often rounded grain shape. These properties are essential for glass melting, foundry molds, and hydraulic fracturing proppant. Construction sand has no purity requirement and is valued primarily for gradation and volume. The distinction affects both the HTS heading and the price per ton by an order of magnitude.
Frac sand demand is highly cyclical, tracking oil and gas drilling activity. During drilling booms, domestic frac sand production can face logistics bottlenecks, prompting some operators to evaluate imported alternatives. During downturns, oversupply depresses prices across all industrial sand grades. Trade professionals sourcing industrial sand should monitor US rig count data as a leading indicator of demand pressure.
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National industry 2 of 3 in naics industry 21232
National industry 212322 · $34.9M of $115.7M
Exports · August 2026
destination
Canada and Japan together take 66% of it.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
origin
Census publishes state breakdowns for NAICS to the 4-digit level only. See NAICS 2123 for those.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$5.1MYoY · free account
Exports
$34.9MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $52.3M of Industrial Sand Mining and exported $464.3M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.