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SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of sodium and other alkali metals (SITC 52228) totaled $2.5M in April 2026, traded with 3 countries.
Importers of Sodium and Other Alkali Metals paid $396K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 16% on $2.5M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Sodium and Other Alkali Metals imports of $2.5M in April 2026 ran 49% above the year-to-date monthly average of $1.7M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataAlkali metals — sodium, lithium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium — are among the most reactive elements and are traded in highly controlled conditions due to their violent reaction with water and air. Sodium metal is used in chemical synthesis and as a heat-transfer medium in certain nuclear reactors, while lithium metal (distinct from lithium compounds) is a critical input for battery anode research and specialty alloys. All alkali metals require DOT-compliant packaging under inert atmospheres or mineral oil, and importers must treat them as dangerous goods throughout the supply chain.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Lithium metal (elemental lithium) is classified here as an alkali metal and is used in specialty battery anodes, alloys, and chemical synthesis. Lithium compounds — such as lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide, which are the primary feedstocks for lithium-ion battery cathodes — are classified in separate chemical headings. The distinction is commercially significant because supply chains, pricing, and trade remedy exposure differ substantially between the two.
Sodium metal is classified as a dangerous good (flammable solid, water-reactive) under DOT and IMDG regulations. It must be shipped in hermetically sealed containers under an inert atmosphere or submerged in mineral oil, with appropriate UN-specification packaging, hazard placards, and emergency response documentation. Air transport is generally prohibited.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRANCE | $1.7M | -- | -$1.7M |
| CHINA | $843K | -- | -$843K |
| MEXICO | -- | $28K | +$28K |
| JAPAN | -- | $20K | +$20K |
| KOREA, SOUTH | -- | $19K | +$19K |
Monthly import values over time