SITCSection 3

Natural Gas in the Gaseous State

Name: Natural Gas in the Gaseous State (SITC 34320) -- U.S. Import Data
Creator: U.S. Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/about/policies/open-gov/open-data.html

$650.0MU.S. imports · April 2026SITC 34320

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SITCSection 3

Natural Gas in the Gaseous State

$650.0MU.S. imports · April 2026SITC 34320

U.S. imports of natural gas in the gaseous state (SITC 34320) totaled $650.0M in April 2026, traded with 4 countries.

Natural Gas in the Gaseous State imports of $650.0M in April 2026 ran 49% below the year-to-date monthly average of $1.3B.

Last updated: April 2026 data

Pipeline-delivered natural gas — transported in its gaseous state rather than liquefied — enters the US primarily via cross-border pipeline interconnections with Canada and Mexico. Unlike LNG, gaseous-state natural gas trade is physically constrained to pipeline infrastructure, making bilateral pipeline capacity and interconnection agreements the dominant commercial and regulatory framework. DOE authorization is required for cross-border pipeline gas trade, and FERC regulates the interstate pipeline infrastructure through which imported gas flows.

AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does pipeline natural gas trade differ from LNG trade in terms of regulatory oversight?

Pipeline natural gas imports and exports require DOE authorization under the Natural Gas Act, similar to LNG, but the physical infrastructure — cross-border pipelines — is regulated by FERC for interstate facilities and by relevant state commissions for intrastate connections. Unlike LNG, which can be shipped to any country with a receiving terminal, gaseous-state trade is geographically fixed to existing pipeline routes, making Canada and Mexico the only practical trading partners for this commodity form.

What measurement and quality standards govern pipeline natural gas at the US border?

Cross-border pipeline gas must meet the quality specifications of the receiving pipeline system, typically defined in the pipeline's tariff on file with FERC. Key parameters include heating value (BTU content), water vapor content, hydrogen sulfide limits, and inert gas concentrations. Measurement is conducted at custody transfer metering stations at or near the border, and discrepancies in measured volume or quality can trigger commercial disputes between shippers and pipeline operators.

U.S. imports of natural gas in the gaseous state (SITC 34320) totaled $650.0M in April 2026, traded with 4 countries.

Natural Gas in the Gaseous State imports of $650.0M in April 2026 ran 49% below the year-to-date monthly average of $1.3B.

Last updated: April 2026 data

Pipeline-delivered natural gas — transported in its gaseous state rather than liquefied — enters the US primarily via cross-border pipeline interconnections with Canada and Mexico. Unlike LNG, gaseous-state natural gas trade is physically constrained to pipeline infrastructure, making bilateral pipeline capacity and interconnection agreements the dominant commercial and regulatory framework. DOE authorization is required for cross-border pipeline gas trade, and FERC regulates the interstate pipeline infrastructure through which imported gas flows.

AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.

Imports: $650.0M; from 4 countries
Exports: $990.2M
Trade balance: Surplus of $340.1M; net exporter

YTD $5.1B (April 2026) · 22 shipments/mo

Top trading partners

View all 4

Country	Imports	Exports	Balance
CANADA	$650.0M	$281.0M	-$369.0M
MEXICO	--	$709.1M	+$709.1M
NIGERIA	--	$14K	+$14K
COLOMBIA	--	$12K	+$12K
VIETNAM	--	$7K	+$7K

CANADA

Imports$650.0M

Exports$281.0M

Balance-$369.0M

MEXICO

Imports--

Exports$709.1M

Balance+$709.1M

NIGERIA

Imports--

Exports$14K

Balance+$14K

COLOMBIA

Imports--

Exports$12K

Balance+$12K

VIETNAM

Imports--

Exports$7K

Balance+$7K

Import Trend (12 months)

Monthly import values over time

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does pipeline natural gas trade differ from LNG trade in terms of regulatory oversight?

Pipeline natural gas imports and exports require DOE authorization under the Natural Gas Act, similar to LNG, but the physical infrastructure — cross-border pipelines — is regulated by FERC for interstate facilities and by relevant state commissions for intrastate connections. Unlike LNG, which can be shipped to any country with a receiving terminal, gaseous-state trade is geographically fixed to existing pipeline routes, making Canada and Mexico the only practical trading partners for this commodity form.

What measurement and quality standards govern pipeline natural gas at the US border?

Cross-border pipeline gas must meet the quality specifications of the receiving pipeline system, typically defined in the pipeline's tariff on file with FERC. Key parameters include heating value (BTU content), water vapor content, hydrogen sulfide limits, and inert gas concentrations. Measurement is conducted at custody transfer metering stations at or near the border, and discrepancies in measured volume or quality can trigger commercial disputes between shippers and pipeline operators.