Standard International Trade Classification
U.S. exports of Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), Primary Forms (SITC 57521) totaled $8.4M in August 2026.
Importers of Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), Primary Forms paid $524K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 11.49% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), Primary Forms imports of $4.6M in August 2026 ran 13% above the year-to-date monthly average of $4.0M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataPolymethyl methacrylate — universally known in trade as PMMA or acrylic glass — is an optically transparent thermoplastic traded in primary forms such as pellets, beads, or powder, serving as the upstream feedstock for cast and extruded sheet, optical lenses, automotive lighting, and display applications. PMMA's optical clarity, UV resistance, and weatherability distinguish it from other acrylic polymers and drive a premium pricing tier relative to commodity thermoplastics. Certain PMMA imports have been subject to antidumping scrutiny, and Section 301 tariff exposure applies to imports from specific origins, making landed-cost modeling sensitive to both origin and grade. Molecular weight and light transmission specifications are the primary quality variables that buyers specify in purchase contracts.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
203 import shipments a month
PMMA in primary forms (pellets, powder, beads) is classified as a polymer intermediate, while cast or extruded acrylic sheet is classified as a semi-manufactured plastic article under a different heading. The distinction matters because duty rates, trade remedy exposure, and applicable product standards differ between the two forms. Importers should confirm the physical form and degree of processing before classifying.
For optical-grade applications — lenses, light guides, display panels — buyers typically specify light transmittance (often above 92%), haze level, yellowness index, and molecular weight distribution. These parameters affect both the processing behavior and the final optical performance, and suppliers are generally expected to provide lot-level certificates of analysis confirming these values.
Basic heading 254 of 465 in section 5
Basic heading 57521 · $8.4M of $26.2B
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Exports · August 2026
destination
Mexico and Canada together take 65% of it.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
origin
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$4.6MYoY · free account
Exports
$8.4MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $46.4M of Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), Primary Forms and exported $114.3M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.