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SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of polyisobutylene, primary forms (SITC 57512) totaled $6.5M in April 2026, traded with 14 countries.
Importers of Polyisobutylene, Primary Forms paid $930K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 15% on $6.4M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 2026 dataPolyisobutylene (PIB) in primary forms is a specialty synthetic rubber-like polymer valued for its exceptional gas impermeability, tackiness, and chemical resistance, making it a critical input for inner tubes, sealants, adhesives, lubricant additives, and pharmaceutical closures. Molecular weight is the defining commercial variable: low-molecular-weight PIB is used in adhesives and lubricant viscosity modifiers, while high-molecular-weight grades serve tire and industrial sealing applications. Because PIB is a relatively concentrated specialty market with fewer global producers than commodity polyolefins, supply chain disruptions can have outsized pricing effects. Importers should confirm whether the grade being sourced is a pure PIB homopolymer or a butyl rubber precursor, as the latter may fall under a different classification.
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Pure polyisobutylene is a homopolymer of isobutylene, while butyl rubber (IIR) is a copolymer of isobutylene with a small percentage of isoprene that introduces vulcanizable unsaturation. The two are classified differently — butyl rubber falls under synthetic rubber headings — so a certificate of composition confirming the absence of isoprene comonomer is important documentation for PIB imports.
Commercial PIB spans a wide range: low-molecular-weight grades (roughly 300–5,000 Mn) are viscous liquids used in adhesives and fuel additives, medium grades are semi-solid, and high-molecular-weight grades (above 100,000 Mn) are solid or highly viscous and used in sealants and tire applications. The molecular weight specification should be clearly stated on the commercial invoice and technical data sheet to support classification and end-use verification.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRANCE | $908K | $2.2M | +$1.3M |
| KOREA, SOUTH | $1.9M | $38K | -$1.8M |
| INDIA | -- | $1.8M | +$1.8M |
| GERMANY | $1.6M | -- | -$1.6M |
| ARGENTINA | $1.1M | -- | -$1.1M |
Monthly import values over time