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SITCSection 2
U.S. imports of copper ores & concentrates (SITC 28310) totaled $8.5M in April 2026, traded with 4 countries.
Copper Ores & Concentrates imports of $8.5M in April 2026 ran 296% above the year-to-date monthly average of $2.1M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataCopper concentrates — the primary intermediate product of mine-to-smelter supply chains — are a globally traded bulk commodity in which copper sulfide minerals are separated from gangue by flotation, typically yielding a product with copper content well above run-of-mine ore. The concentrate is the dominant form in which copper mining countries supply smelters and refineries worldwide, and its trade is governed by complex offtake agreements specifying payable metal, treatment charges (TC), and refining charges (RC). Pricing, logistics, and port handling for copper concentrates are distinct from those for refined copper cathode or copper scrap.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Unlike refined copper cathode, which trades at or near the LME spot price, copper concentrates are priced based on payable metal content minus treatment and refining charges (TC/RC) negotiated between the mining company and the smelter. Importers and smelters also account for deductions for penalty elements such as arsenic, bismuth, or fluorine that complicate smelting.
Copper concentrates are typically shipped as bulk cargo in vessels or in containers, and their moisture content must be carefully managed to stay below the transportable moisture limit (TML) to prevent cargo liquefaction — a significant maritime safety concern. Port receiving facilities must be equipped for bulk unloading, and environmental controls for dust and runoff are standard requirements.
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Monthly import values over time