U.S. imports of Potassium Nitrate (SITC 52352) totaled $20.0M in August 2026, imported from 16 countries.
Importers of Potassium Nitrate paid $9K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 0.04% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Potassium Nitrate imports of $20.0M in August 2026 ran 143% above the year-to-date monthly average of $8.2M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataPotassium nitrate (saltpeter, KNO₃) serves dual roles as a fertilizer-grade nutrient and an industrial oxidizer used in glass manufacturing, food preservation, and pyrotechnics. Its dual-use nature means importers should be aware of potential export controls or licensing requirements in the country of origin, and US Customs classification can hinge on purity grade and intended end use. The compound competes in trade with ammonium nitrate and other nitrogen sources, making grade specification and documentation of intended application critical at entry.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
44 import shipments a month
Fertilizer-grade and technical-grade potassium nitrate may fall under different tariff lines depending on purity and intended use. Importers should confirm the correct HTS subheading with a licensed customs broker, as misclassification between agricultural and industrial grades can affect duty rates and regulatory review.
Because potassium nitrate is an oxidizer with potential dual-use applications, some origin countries require export licenses, and US importers may face scrutiny under chemical security frameworks. Consulting with a customs broker and reviewing any applicable Commerce Department or DHS requirements before shipment is advisable.
Basic heading 174 of 465 in section 5
Basic heading 52352 · $20.0M of $27.5B
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Imports · August 2026
origin
Chile and Israel together supply 96% of it.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
destination
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$20.0MYoY · free account
Exports
$763KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $94.0M of Potassium Nitrate and exported $14.1M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.