Natural uranium—uranium at its naturally occurring isotopic ratio of approximately 0.7% U-235—and its downstream forms including alloys, dispersions, and ceramic products are tightly controlled under the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) import licensing regime and the Department of Energy's (DOE) nuclear materials framework. Uranium oxide (yellowcake) is the most commercially significant form, serving as the feedstock for enrichment facilities that supply nuclear power plants. Import transactions require NRC authorization, and shipments are subject to nuclear safeguards agreements administered through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Supply security for natural uranium is a strategic concern for US utilities given the concentration of global mining in a small number of countries.

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