Loading...
SITCSection 6
U.S. imports of refined lead and lead alloys, unwrought (SITC 68512) totaled $45.6M in April 2026, traded with 9 countries.
Importers of Refined Lead and Lead Alloys, Unwrought paid $421K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 3.1% on $13.4M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Refined Lead and Lead Alloys, Unwrought imports of $45.6M in April 2026 ran 13% above the year-to-date monthly average of $40.3M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataElectrolytically or fire-refined lead meeting commercial purity grades — typically 99.97% Pb or higher — and its alloys in unwrought ingot, pig, or slab form are the direct feedstock for battery manufacturers, radiation shielding producers, and cable-sheathing operations. Lead-acid battery production dominates global demand, making refined lead trade closely correlated with automotive and industrial battery supply chains. Alloy additions of antimony, calcium, or tin define the sub-grades used in different battery plate formulations, and assay documentation is essential for confirming grade at entry.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Buyers and customs brokers typically require a producer's certificate of analysis or an independent assay report confirming lead content (commonly expressed as minimum percentage Pb) and the levels of key alloying or impurity elements such as antimony, calcium, tin, copper, and bismuth. This documentation supports correct classification between unrefined and refined lead and satisfies buyer quality specifications.
Secondary smelters processing spent lead-acid batteries supply a large share of domestic refined lead, so import demand tends to rise when domestic scrap collection rates fall short of smelter capacity or when primary and secondary lead prices make imports cost-competitive. Importers should monitor domestic scrap availability and LME lead pricing when planning procurement, as these factors drive significant swings in import volumes.
Supplier Network
Get discovered by U.S. importers searching for HS 68512 — Refined Lead and Lead Alloys, Unwrought. Be the first supplier listed.
Monthly import values over time
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| MEXICO | $19.5M | $545K | -$18.9M |
| UNITED KINGDOM | $10.9M | -- | -$10.9M |
| KOREA, SOUTH | $8.7M | -- | -$8.7M |
| CANADA | $6.6M | $86K | -$6.5M |
| MALAYSIA | -- | $313K | +$313K |