U.S. exports of Bituminous Shale & Tar Sands (SITC 27896) totaled $6K in August 2026, exported to 1 country.
Last updated: August 2026 dataBituminous shale and tar sands are sedimentary mineral feedstocks containing kerogen or heavy bitumen that require thermal or solvent extraction before yielding usable hydrocarbons. As raw, unprocessed mineral materials, they occupy a distinct classification from refined petroleum products or crude oil, and their trade flows are driven primarily by proximity to upgrading infrastructure rather than spot commodity markets. Import volumes into the US are typically modest, given domestic shale resources, but cross-border movements — particularly from Canada — can occur when upgrader economics favor specific feedstock blends.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Bituminous shale and tar sands are classified as mineral substances in their raw, unextracted form — the hydrocarbon content is not yet separated or refined. Once the bitumen or synthetic crude is extracted and upgraded, the resulting product shifts to petroleum classifications. Importers should ensure that the physical state and processing stage of the material are clearly documented to support the mineral-substance classification.
While there is no single federal import permit specific to tar sands as a mineral commodity, shipments may be subject to EPA reporting requirements depending on volume and intended processing method. Importers planning to process or upgrade the material domestically should consult with environmental counsel regarding applicable Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act obligations, in addition to working with a licensed customs broker on classification.
Basic heading 213 of 239 in section 2
Basic heading 27896 · $6K of $7.8B
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Exports · August 2026
destination
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
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Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
—YoY · free account
Exports
$6KYoY · free account
Low of 2 reported months · imports
Low · free accountFewer than 6 of the last 12 months reported trade, or the latest month was under $500K; the trend chart is not shown for thin series.
Through August 2026 · imports 2 of 12 months reported, exports 5 of 12 months reported. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.