U.S. exports of Zirconium, Unwrought; Waste, Scrap & Powders (SITC 68984) totaled $5.0M in August 2026.
Importers of Zirconium, Unwrought; Waste, Scrap & Powders paid $28K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 3.87% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Zirconium, Unwrought; Waste, Scrap & Powders imports of $643K in August 2026 ran 77% below the year-to-date monthly average of $2.8M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataZirconium's exceptional corrosion resistance and low neutron-absorption cross-section make unwrought zirconium and zirconium alloys indispensable in nuclear reactor fuel cladding, while zirconium compounds and powders serve ceramics, refractory, and chemical-processing industries. A key classification nuance is that commercial zirconium often contains hafnium, and nuclear-grade material must meet strict hafnium-content limits — a distinction that can affect both the applicable HTS line and export-control treatment. Importers should note that zirconium is subject to US export-control regulations in certain forms, and equivalent controls in supplier countries may affect documentation requirements at entry.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
27 import shipments a month
Nuclear-grade zirconium must contain very low levels of hafnium because hafnium absorbs neutrons and would degrade reactor performance. Commercial-grade zirconium typically retains its naturally occurring hafnium. This compositional difference can affect classification at the HTS level and is a critical specification that importers must document accurately, particularly when the end use is nuclear fuel cladding.
Yes. Certain zirconium forms — particularly nuclear-grade metal and alloys — are controlled under dual-use export-control regimes in many countries, and the US Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) maintains controls on some zirconium products. Importers should verify whether the specific form and grade require an import or re-export license and review the Export Administration Regulations accordingly.
Basic heading 68984 · $5.0M of $13.0B
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Exports · August 2026
destination
France and United Kingdom together take 91% of it.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
origin
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
ImportsExports
Imports
$643KYoY · free account
Exports
$5.0MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $29.4M of Zirconium, Unwrought; Waste, Scrap & Powders and exported $48.0M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.