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SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of sodium hydroxide in aqueous solution (liquid soda / soda lye) (SITC 52263) totaled $12.5M in April 2026, traded with 19 countries.
Importers of Sodium Hydroxide in Aqueous Solution (Liquid Soda / Soda Lye) paid $990K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 9.8% on $10.0M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Sodium Hydroxide in Aqueous Solution (Liquid Soda / Soda Lye) imports of $12.5M in April 2026 ran 23% above the year-to-date monthly average of $10.1M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataLiquid caustic soda — traded as soda lye or liquid soda, typically at 50% NaOH concentration — is a bulk commodity moved primarily by tank truck, railcar, or ISO tank container, making freight economics and proximity to supply a dominant factor in sourcing decisions. As a co-product of chlorine manufacture, its availability is tied to chlorine demand cycles, which can create periodic regional surpluses or tightness independent of NaOH demand itself. Water treatment, textile processing, and food-grade applications each impose distinct purity specifications, and importers should confirm that the product meets the applicable standard — including food-grade certification where required — before entry.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Technical-grade liquid caustic soda is adequate for most industrial applications such as pulp processing and chemical synthesis, but food-grade or membrane-cell grade is required for applications in food processing, drinking water treatment, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Food-grade material must meet specifications for heavy metal content — particularly mercury — which is why membrane-cell production is preferred over older mercury-cell processes for these end uses.
Caustic soda is produced in fixed molar ratio with chlorine in the chlor-alkali process, so its supply is driven by chlorine demand rather than by NaOH demand alone. When chlorine markets are weak and producers curtail output, caustic soda supply tightens even if NaOH demand is strong — a structural supply dynamic that importers should factor into inventory and contract planning.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRAZIL | -- | $41.6M | +$41.6M |
| COSTA RICA | -- | $18.8M | +$18.8M |
| CANADA | $2.4M | $14.9M | +$12.5M |
| IRELAND | $156K | $8.4M | +$8.3M |
| URUGUAY | -- | $6.7M | +$6.7M |
Monthly import values over time