U.S. exports of Calcium Carbide (SITC 52493) totaled $842K in August 2026.
Importers of Calcium Carbide paid $9K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 25.55% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Calcium Carbide imports of $71K in August 2026 ran 75% below the year-to-date monthly average of $283K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataCalcium carbide's primary commercial role is as the feedstock for acetylene gas generation — reacting with water to produce acetylene used in metal cutting, welding, and chemical synthesis of vinyl chloride monomer and other acetylene-derived chemicals. It also serves as a reducing agent in metallurgical processes and, in some markets, as an ethylene-releasing agent for fruit ripening, though that application is regulated or restricted in many jurisdictions. Calcium carbide is classified as a dangerous good (water-reactive solid) under DOT and IMDG regulations, requiring specialized packaging and documentation for import shipments.
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3 import shipments a month
Calcium carbide is classified as a Class 4.3 dangerous good (water-reactive) under DOT and IMDG regulations. Imports must be packaged in hermetically sealed, moisture-proof containers, and the bill of lading and other shipping documents must include the proper UN number, hazard class, and emergency contact information. Port handling agents must be notified in advance of the water-reactive hazard.
Because acetylene is a critical gas for metal fabrication and welding industries, disruptions in calcium carbide supply can cascade into downstream manufacturing. Import buyers typically monitor production capacity in major supplying countries and maintain buffer inventory, particularly given that calcium carbide plants are energy-intensive and subject to power-cost-driven curtailments.
Basic heading 397 of 465 in section 5
Basic heading 52493 · $842K of $26.2B
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Exports · August 2026
destination
Canada and Mexico together take 100% of it.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
origin
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$71KYoY · free account
Exports
$842KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $4.5M of Calcium Carbide and exported $10.5M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.