U.S. imports of Iron or Steel Containers for Compressed Air or Liquefied Gas (SITC 69243) totaled $26.5M in August 2026, imported from 38 countries.
Importers of Iron or Steel Containers for Compressed Air or Liquefied Gas paid $12.2M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 46.80% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Iron or Steel Containers for Compressed Air or Liquefied Gas imports of $26.5M in August 2026 ran 18% below the year-to-date monthly average of $32.3M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataEngineered to withstand elevated internal pressures, iron and steel containers for compressed air or liquefied gas — including cylinders, pressure vessels, and gas bottles — serve the industrial gas, welding supply, fire suppression, and energy sectors. These articles are subject to Section 232 tariffs on steel, and many must also comply with DOT pressure-vessel regulations and may require third-party certification before use in the United States. Unlike general-purpose drums or tanks, classification here turns on the vessel's design rating for pressure service rather than its capacity.
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823 import shipments a month
In addition to customs entry, steel cylinders for compressed or liquefied gas must typically meet US Department of Transportation (DOT) specifications for pressure vessels. Importers may need to demonstrate compliance with applicable DOT cylinder standards and markings before the containers can be placed into service domestically.
The key distinction is design intent and pressure rating. General-purpose drums and tanks not rated for pressure service fall under the iron/steel containers heading (69241), while vessels specifically engineered to hold compressed air or liquefied gas under pressure are classified here (69243), regardless of their physical size or capacity.
Basic heading 208 of 766 in section 6
Basic heading 69243 · $26.5M of $27.0B
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Imports · August 2026
origin
China and India together supply 43% of it. China pays 70.4% duty; Canada 9.6%.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
destination
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$26.5MYoY · free account
Exports
$28.2MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $387.1M of Iron or Steel Containers for Compressed Air or Liquefied Gas and exported $309.0M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.