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SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of inorganic compounds n.e.s.; liquid air; compressed air; amalgams n.e.s. (SITC 52499) totaled $7.5M in April 2026, traded with 34 countries.
Importers of Inorganic Compounds N.E.S.; Liquid Air; Compressed Air; Amalgams N.E.S. paid $316K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 5.4% on $5.8M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Inorganic Compounds N.E.S.; Liquid Air; Compressed Air; Amalgams N.E.S. imports of $7.5M in April 2026 ran 15% above the year-to-date monthly average of $6.5M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataA residual catch-all for inorganic chemical substances that do not fit more specific headings, this category spans distilled and conductivity water, liquid air (with or without rare gases), compressed air, and miscellaneous amalgams. Conductivity water and ultra-pure distilled water are critical inputs for semiconductor wet-bench processes and pharmaceutical manufacturing, while liquid air is traded as an industrial gas for cryogenic applications. Because the heading is defined by exclusion, correct classification requires ruling out all more-specific inorganic compound headings before applying it. The breadth of the category means duty rates and any applicable trade-remedy exposure vary significantly by the specific substance.
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A detailed technical specification sheet, CAS number, and a written classification analysis ruling out all more-specific headings are the standard supporting documents. Customs brokers often request a manufacturer's certificate of analysis and, for novel compounds, may seek a binding ruling from CBP to lock in the classification before commercial shipments begin.
Liquid air is a cryogenic, oxygen-enriched substance and is subject to DOT hazardous materials regulations governing cryogenic liquids during transport. Import shipments must comply with packaging, labeling, and placarding requirements under 49 CFR, and port facilities must be equipped for cryogenic offloading. These logistics constraints effectively limit commercial import volumes to specialized industrial gas suppliers.
Supplier Network
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CANADA | $3.9M | $2.0M | -$1.8M |
| KOREA, SOUTH | $1.4M | $3.2M | +$1.8M |
| PHILIPPINES | -- | $1.0M | +$1.0M |
| GERMANY | $633K | $364K | -$270K |
| UNITED KINGDOM | $578K | $299K | -$279K |
Monthly import values over time