SITCSection 2
U.S. imports of alumina (aluminum oxide) (SITC 28520) totaled $30.8M in April 2026, traded with 29 countries.
Importers of Alumina (Aluminum Oxide) paid $42K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 11% on $388K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Alumina (Aluminum Oxide) imports of $30.8M in April 2026 ran 48% below the year-to-date monthly average of $59.7M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataCalcined alumina — the refined intermediate between bauxite ore and primary aluminum metal — is the direct feedstock for aluminum smelters and also serves industrial markets as a refractory material, abrasive, and ceramic precursor. Smelter-grade alumina (SGA) and specialty chemical-grade alumina are commercially distinct products with different purity, particle size, and surface-area specifications. Because alumina is a bulk commodity traded in multi-thousand-tonne parcels, freight logistics and port infrastructure are as commercially significant as the tariff classification itself.
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Smelter-grade alumina (SGA) is a standardized product with roughly 99.5% Al₂O₃ purity, designed for electrolytic reduction in Hall-Héroult smelters. Specialty or chemical-grade aluminas vary widely in purity, crystal structure (alpha vs. gamma), particle size, and surface area, and command premium pricing for use in ceramics, catalysts, abrasives, and electronics. Both fall under SITC 28520, but buyers and sellers should confirm HTS-level classification because some specialty forms may be classified differently at the 10-digit level.
Importers should verify whether antidumping or countervailing duty orders are in effect for alumina from specific origins, as the aluminum supply chain has historically been subject to trade-remedy investigations. A licensed customs broker can confirm current order scope and whether the specific product form and origin combination is covered.
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Monthly import values over time