SITCSection 2

Waste & Scrap of Cast Iron

Name: Waste & Scrap of Cast Iron (SITC 28210) -- U.S. Import Data
Creator: U.S. Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/about/policies/open-gov/open-data.html

$5.5MU.S. imports · April 2026SITC 28210

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SITCSection 2

Waste & Scrap of Cast Iron

$5.5MU.S. imports · April 2026SITC 28210

U.S. imports of waste & scrap of cast iron (SITC 28210) totaled $5.5M in April 2026, traded with 3 countries.

Last updated: April 2026 data

Cast iron scrap — including borings, turnings, and broken castings from foundry and machining operations — is a secondary raw material input for cupola furnaces and electric arc furnaces producing gray iron, ductile iron, and other cast iron grades. Its carbon content (typically 2–4%), silicon level, and the presence of alloying or tramp elements such as chromium, nickel, and copper determine its suitability for specific casting applications and govern the price differential versus steel scrap. Export controls and licensing requirements in supplier countries can affect availability, and domestic US generation from automotive and heavy equipment manufacturing makes this a widely traded commodity in North American scrap markets.

AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do tramp elements in cast iron scrap affect its value and usability in foundry operations?

Tramp elements — particularly chromium, nickel, copper, and tin — cannot be removed by conventional cupola or electric induction furnace melting and accumulate in the melt. Even small concentrations of chromium can cause hard spots in gray iron castings, while copper and tin affect ductile iron nodularity. Foundries typically set maximum allowable tramp element levels in scrap purchase specifications, and lots exceeding those limits are either rejected or blended with cleaner material to dilute the contamination.

Are there any export licensing or documentation requirements in major supplier countries that affect cast iron scrap imports?

Several countries impose export licensing, registration, or minimum export price requirements on ferrous scrap to protect domestic steel and foundry industries. Importers should verify the current export regulatory status in the country of origin before contracting, as licensing delays or quota restrictions can disrupt supply timing. A licensed customs broker familiar with scrap metal trade can help identify origin-specific documentation requirements and ensure the US entry is supported by the correct export authorization paperwork.

U.S. imports of waste & scrap of cast iron (SITC 28210) totaled $5.5M in April 2026, traded with 3 countries.

Last updated: April 2026 data

Cast iron scrap — including borings, turnings, and broken castings from foundry and machining operations — is a secondary raw material input for cupola furnaces and electric arc furnaces producing gray iron, ductile iron, and other cast iron grades. Its carbon content (typically 2–4%), silicon level, and the presence of alloying or tramp elements such as chromium, nickel, and copper determine its suitability for specific casting applications and govern the price differential versus steel scrap. Export controls and licensing requirements in supplier countries can affect availability, and domestic US generation from automotive and heavy equipment manufacturing makes this a widely traded commodity in North American scrap markets.

AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.

Imports: $5.5M; from 3 countries
Exports: $20.7M
Trade balance: Surplus of $15.2M; net exporter

YTD $22.1M (April 2026) · 264 shipments/mo

Top trading partners

View all 3

Country	Imports	Exports	Balance
INDIA	--	$6.7M	+$6.7M
CANADA	$5.2M	$1.2M	-$4.0M
THAILAND	--	$5.2M	+$5.2M
TAIWAN	--	$1.9M	+$1.9M
PHILIPPINES	--	$1.1M	+$1.1M

INDIA

Imports--

Exports$6.7M

Balance+$6.7M

CANADA

Imports$5.2M

Exports$1.2M

Balance-$4.0M

THAILAND

Imports--

Exports$5.2M

Balance+$5.2M

TAIWAN

Imports--

Exports$1.9M

Balance+$1.9M

PHILIPPINES

Imports--

Exports$1.1M

Balance+$1.1M

Import Trend (12 months)

Monthly import values over time

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do tramp elements in cast iron scrap affect its value and usability in foundry operations?

Tramp elements — particularly chromium, nickel, copper, and tin — cannot be removed by conventional cupola or electric induction furnace melting and accumulate in the melt. Even small concentrations of chromium can cause hard spots in gray iron castings, while copper and tin affect ductile iron nodularity. Foundries typically set maximum allowable tramp element levels in scrap purchase specifications, and lots exceeding those limits are either rejected or blended with cleaner material to dilute the contamination.

Are there any export licensing or documentation requirements in major supplier countries that affect cast iron scrap imports?

Several countries impose export licensing, registration, or minimum export price requirements on ferrous scrap to protect domestic steel and foundry industries. Importers should verify the current export regulatory status in the country of origin before contracting, as licensing delays or quota restrictions can disrupt supply timing. A licensed customs broker familiar with scrap metal trade can help identify origin-specific documentation requirements and ensure the US entry is supported by the correct export authorization paperwork.