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SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of methanol (methyl alcohol) (SITC 51211) totaled $31.7M in April 2026, traded with 16 countries.
Importers of Methanol (Methyl Alcohol) paid $2.5M in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 13% on $20.0M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Methanol (Methyl Alcohol) imports of $31.7M in April 2026 ran 31% above the year-to-date monthly average of $24.1M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataMethanol is one of the most widely traded basic petrochemicals globally, serving as a feedstock for formaldehyde, acetic acid, MTBE, and increasingly as a marine and power-generation fuel. Its dual role as an industrial chemical and an emerging clean-energy carrier means trade flows are influenced by both chemical-sector demand cycles and energy-transition investment. Methanol is acutely toxic by ingestion, inhalation, and skin absorption, so DOT hazardous materials transport requirements and TSCA certification apply at every import entry.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Methanol imported as a marine bunker fuel may be subject to different duty treatment and EPA fuel-registration requirements compared with methanol imported as a chemical feedstock. Importers should declare the intended end-use accurately on entry documents, as misclassification between fuel-grade and chemical-grade methanol can affect duty liability and regulatory compliance.
Bulk methanol shipments require a TSCA import certification, DOT hazardous materials compliance (UN1230, Flammable Liquid, Class 3), and Coast Guard notification for vessel arrivals carrying bulk liquid chemicals. Facilities receiving bulk methanol may also need to report inventories under EPA's Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) program if threshold quantities are exceeded.
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Monthly import values over time
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRAZIL | -- | $66.8M | +$66.8M |
| KOREA, SOUTH | $19K | $52.1M | +$52.1M |
| BELGIUM | -- | $36.5M | +$36.5M |
| NETHERLANDS | $2K | $22.7M | +$22.7M |
| CANADA | $11.7M | $4.4M | -$7.3M |