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SITCSection 5
U.S. imports of depleted uranium, thorium, and their compounds, alloys, and products (SITC 52515) totaled $88K in April 2026, traded with 3 countries.
Importers of Depleted Uranium, Thorium, and Their Compounds, Alloys, and Products paid $4K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 5.0% on $88K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Depleted Uranium, Thorium, and Their Compounds, Alloys, and Products imports of $88K in April 2026 ran 204% above the year-to-date monthly average of $29K.
Last updated: April 2026 dataDepleted uranium (DU)—the U-235-lean byproduct of the enrichment process—and thorium occupy a distinct regulatory tier from enriched fissile materials, yet both remain subject to NRC licensing as source materials under the Atomic Energy Act. DU's exceptional density makes it commercially valuable for radiation shielding, counterweights in aircraft, and armor-penetrating applications, while thorium compounds are used in specialty alloys, high-temperature crucibles, and emerging thorium-cycle reactor research. Import of either material requires NRC source material license authorization, and thorium-bearing minerals may also trigger NORM (naturally occurring radioactive material) regulations at the state level. Classification accuracy matters because DU and thorium products are sometimes misidentified as conventional heavy metals.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Both are NRC-regulated source materials, but depleted uranium has a U-235 content below the natural 0.711% level, making it less proliferation-sensitive than natural uranium. NRC license conditions for DU imports typically focus on end-use controls (shielding, ballast, or defense applications) and waste disposition plans, whereas natural uranium licenses emphasize safeguards reporting tied to the nuclear fuel cycle.
Yes. Thorium-containing products may also be subject to state-level NORM regulations, which vary by jurisdiction and govern storage, handling, and disposal of low-level radioactive materials. Additionally, certain thorium alloys historically used in gas tungsten arc welding electrodes are subject to EPA reporting thresholds under EPCRA. Importers should map both federal NRC requirements and the applicable state NORM program before distribution.
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUSTRALIA | $84K | -- | -$84K |
| SAUDI ARABIA | -- | $78K | +$78K |
| ITALY | -- | $34K | +$34K |
| INDIA | -- | $11K | +$11K |
| ST LUCIA | -- | $10K | +$10K |
Monthly import values over time
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