Polystyrene resin exports from the United States: data, top buyers and prices
The United States exported $264.5 million of polystyrene resin in 2024 (184.1 thousand tonnes). It ranks 6th of 122 countries for exports of this product. That is close to the 2023 level. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $348.8 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 | $264.5M | 184.1K t |
| 2023 | $267.2M | 154.1K t |
| 2022 | $348.8M | 175.3K t |
| 2021 | $320.6M | 196.2K t |
| 2020 | $215.1M | 188.0K t |
| 2019 | $257.2M | 192.5K t |
| 2018 | $287.4M | 172.3K t |
| 2017 | $281.8M | 169.1K t |
Where the United States exports polystyrene resin to
Most of it went to Mexico (47%), Canada (32%), Malaysia (7%). Among the main buyer markets, Malaysia grew fastest (+36% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | $123.6M | 47% |
| Canada | $84.1M | 32% |
| Malaysia | $17.9M | 6.8% |
| Dominican Republic | $7.8M | 2.9% |
| China | $5.9M | 2.2% |
| India | $5.2M | 2% |
| Italy | $2.4M | 0.9% |
| Germany | $2.2M | 0.8% |
| Guatemala | $1.8M | 0.7% |
| Japan | $1.2M | 0.5% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $1.44 per kg, close to the world average of $1.42.
Declared value divided by weight, all 2024 shipments. Prices per shipment and per company are in EximDataX.
Polystyrene resin imports to the United States
In 2024, the United States imported polystyrene resin worth $150.1 million (89.0 thousand tonnes). It ranks 7th of 193 countries for imports of this product. Mexico alone supplied 55% of it. Among the main suppliers, Mexico grew fastest (+50% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | $83.0M | 55% |
| Taiwan | $12.4M | 8.3% |
| Japan | $10.9M | 7.3% |
| South Korea | $10.3M | 6.9% |
| Canada | $5.5M | 3.6% |
| Malaysia | $4.2M | 2.8% |
| Brazil | $4.1M | 2.8% |
| China | $3.7M | 2.4% |
| Singapore | $3.1M | 2.1% |
| France | $2.8M | 1.9% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
The shipment records behind United States polystyrene resin exports (HS 3903.19): 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 3903.19: Styrene polymers: (other than expansible polystyrene), in primary forms.
Common questions
What is the value of polystyrene resin exported by the United States?
The United States exported polystyrene resin worth $264.5 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 184.1 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 6th of 122 countries worldwide, with 6% of world exports. The value was down 1% on 2023.
Which countries buy polystyrene resin from the United States?
Mexico was the largest buyer with 47% of the value ($123.6 million), followed by Canada (32%) and Malaysia (7%). The top three together account for 85%, out of 100 buyer countries in total. India grew fastest among the top ten, up 94% on the year.
What is the average export price of polystyrene resin per kg?
The average declared export value was about $1.44 per kg in 2024, close to the world average of $1.42 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of polystyrene resin from the United States changed since 2017?
Exports went from $281.8 million in 2017 to $264.5 million in 2024, a fall of 6%. The peak was 2022 at $348.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $280.3 million a year.
Does the United States also import polystyrene resin?
Yes. The United States imported $150.1 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Mexico, Taiwan and Japan. On balance the United States is a net exporter of this product, by about $114.4 million a year.
What is the HS code for polystyrene resin?
The HS code for polystyrene resin is subheading 3903.19. It sits in HS chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 3903 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.
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