Asbestos friction material exports from the United States: data, top buyers and prices
In 2024, the United States exported asbestos friction material worth $12.9 million (623 tonnes). It ranks 2nd of 88 countries for exports of this product. Value rose 61% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2019, at $17.1 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Exports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $12.9M | 623 t |
| 2023 | $8.0M | 628 t |
| 2022 | $6.1M | 1.1K t |
| 2021 | $6.3M | 887 t |
| 2020 | $7.3M | 1.9K t |
| 2019 | $17.1M | 5.6K t |
| 2018 | $12.5M | 2.8K t |
| 2017 | $9.2M | 2.7K t |
Where the United States exports asbestos friction material to
One buyer market dominates: Mexico accounted for 60% of the value. Among the main buyer markets, Mexico grew fastest (+132% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | $7.7M | 60% |
| South Africa | $3.5M | 27% |
| Canada | $218K | 1.7% |
| China | $216K | 1.7% |
| India | $174K | 1.4% |
| Indonesia | $156K | 1.2% |
| Kazakhstan | $122K | 1% |
| Nigeria | $105K | 0.8% |
| Bahamas | $72K | 0.6% |
| United Kingdom | $70K | 0.6% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $20.68 per kg, 367% above the world average of $4.43. This usually points to higher-grade or processed goods.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Asbestos friction material imports to the United States
In 2024, the United States imported asbestos friction material worth $1.9 million (62 tonnes). That makes it the 6th largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 184 countries. One supplier dominates: South Korea accounted for 52% of the value. Among the main suppliers, United Kingdom grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| South Korea | $987K | 52% |
| Bolivia | $285K | 15% |
| China | $176K | 9.3% |
| United Kingdom | $151K | 8% |
| Germany | $149K | 7.9% |
| Taiwan | $45K | 2.4% |
| Switzerland | $24K | 1.3% |
| Peru | $17K | 0.9% |
| Japan | $12K | 0.6% |
| Denmark | $10K | 0.5% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
The shipment records behind United States asbestos friction material exports (HS 6813.20): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
Shipment records are in the platform
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Direct customs feed: shipment-level records from the official customs source.
Source: CEPII BACI (reconciled UN Comtrade data), HS 2017 edition, release 202601, Etalab Open Licence 2.0. Annual values in US dollars at the customs border; quantities in tonnes where reported. HS 6813.20: Friction material and articles thereof (e.g. sheets, rolls, strips, segments, discs, washers, pads) not mounted: for brakes, clutches or the like, with a basis of asbestos.
Common questions
What is the value of asbestos friction material exported by the United States?
The United States exported asbestos friction material worth $12.9 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 623 tonnes. That ranks it 2nd of 88 countries worldwide, with 24% of world exports. The value was up 61% on 2023.
Which countries buy asbestos friction material from the United States?
Mexico was the largest buyer with 60% of the value ($7.7 million), followed by South Africa (27%) and Canada (2%). The top three together account for 89%, out of 66 buyer countries in total. The United Kingdom grew fastest among the top ten, up 474% on the year.
What is the average export price of asbestos friction material per kg?
The average declared export value was about $20.68 per kg in 2024, 367% above the world average of $4.43 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of asbestos friction material from the United States changed since 2017?
Exports went from $9.2 million in 2017 to $12.9 million in 2024, an increase of 41%. The peak was 2019 at $17.1 million. Over 8 years the average was $9.9 million a year.
Does the United States also import asbestos friction material?
Yes. The United States imported $1.9 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from South Korea, Bolivia and China. On balance the United States is a net exporter of this product, by about $11.0 million a year.
What is the HS code for asbestos friction material?
The HS code for asbestos friction material is subheading 6813.20. It sits in HS chapter 68 (stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica or similar materials; articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 6813 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
The totals here are public statistics; the company-level detail sits in EximDataX, which has a direct customs feed for the United States. Tell us your product to see it live.
Same product, other countries
World asbestos friction material trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for the United States
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