SITCSection 3

Coke, Semicoke & Retort Carbon of Coal, Lignite or Peat

Name: Coke, Semicoke & Retort Carbon of Coal, Lignite or Peat (SITC 32500) -- U.S. Export Data
Creator: U.S. Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/about/policies/open-gov/open-data.html

SITC 32500Basic heading5-digit

U.S. imports · July 2026: $11.7M; YTD $54.8M

U.S. exports · July 2026: $16.0M

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U.S. exports of coke, semicoke & retort carbon of coal, lignite or peat (SITC 32500) totaled $16.0M in July 2026.

Coke, Semicoke & Retort Carbon of Coal, Lignite or Peat imports of $11.7M in July 2026 ran 49% above the year-to-date monthly average of $7.8M.

Last updated: July 2026 data

Metallurgical coke — produced by high-temperature carbonization of coking-grade bituminous coal — is an essential reducing agent and structural support medium in blast-furnace steelmaking, making this heading a critical input for the US steel industry. The heading also covers semicoke (partially carbonized material used in chemical and fuel applications), char, and retort carbon, reflecting the range of carbonization products derived from coal, lignite, or peat. Petroleum coke, a refinery byproduct, is classified separately and should not be confused with coal-derived coke covered here.

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12 shipments/mo

12-month trend

ImportsExports

Imports

$11.7MYoY · Pro

Exports

$16.0MYoY · Pro

12-mo low · imports

YoY · Pro

$39.2M$0

June 2025December 2025July 2026

Through July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.

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Basic heading 18 of 32 in section 3

Share of section 3 imports0.06%

Basic heading 32500 · $11.7M of $19.0B

Where it comes from, where it lands, what it pays

Exports · July 2026

Countries

destination

Canada and Mexico together take 93% of it.

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Districts

customs district

Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.

States

origin

Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.

Ports

entry

Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is coal-derived coke distinguished from petroleum coke for classification purposes?

Coal-derived coke (including metallurgical coke, semicoke, and retort carbon) falls under SITC 32500, while petroleum coke — a byproduct of crude oil refining — is classified under the petroleum products headings. The source material (coal, lignite, or peat versus crude oil) is the controlling distinction, and misclassification between the two is a recurring issue given that both products are carbon-rich solids used in industrial processes.

What quality specifications are most important for metallurgical coke imported into the US?

Blast-furnace buyers typically specify coke strength after reaction (CSR), coke reactivity index (CRI), ash content, sulfur content, and size distribution. These parameters directly affect furnace efficiency and hot-metal quality, so certificates of analysis from accredited laboratories are standard commercial documentation for metallurgical coke shipments.