Specialty metal ore imports in the United States: data, top suppliers and prices
Imports of specialty metal ore by the United States reached $50.7 million in 2024 (3.3 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 2nd largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 68 countries. Value rose 11% on 2023. Across 2017-2024 the long-run trend was broadly stable. The peak in this period was 2022, at $87.6 million.
Public statistics, latest complete year (2024). Values in US dollars. Page updated .
Imports by year, 2017-2024
Hover or tap a year for detail.
Year by year
| Year | Value | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $50.7M | 3.3K t |
| 2023 | $45.6M | 2.2K t |
| 2022 | $87.6M | 3.5K t |
| 2021 | $68.6M | 3.5K t |
| 2020 | $34.7M | 872 t |
| 2019 | $53.4M | 1.6K t |
| 2018 | $45.8M | 1.7K t |
| 2017 | $41.7M | 1.0K t |
Where the United States imports specialty metal ore from
Australia alone supplied 64% of it. Among the main suppliers, Mozambique grew fastest (+629% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | $32.6M | 64% |
| Mozambique | $8.8M | 17% |
| Canada | $8.3M | 16% |
| Singapore | $594K | 1.2% |
| Ethiopia | $152K | 0.3% |
| Mexico | $139K | 0.3% |
| China | $122K | 0.2% |
| Taiwan | $55K | 0.1% |
| Sierra Leone | $44K | 0.1% |
| Germany | $12K | 0% |
Average import price per kg
The average declared value was about $15.46 per kg, 313% above the world average of $3.74. 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.
Specialty metal ore exports from the United States
Exports of specialty metal ore by the United States reached $5.2 million in 2024 (1.9 thousand tonnes). Its share of world exports was 1%. Most of it went to Taiwan (46%), Lithuania (19%), Belgium (10%). Among the main buyer markets, Belgium grew fastest, more than tenfold on the year before.
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Taiwan | $2.4M | 46% |
| Lithuania | $972K | 19% |
| Belgium | $510K | 9.8% |
| China | $485K | 9.3% |
| India | $228K | 4.4% |
| Canada | $189K | 3.6% |
| Latvia | $81K | 1.6% |
| Thailand | $71K | 1.4% |
| France | $57K | 1.1% |
| Sweden | $54K | 1% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
The shipment records behind United States specialty metal ore imports (HS 2615.90): companies, dates, quantities and declared values.
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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 2615.90: Niobium, tantalum, vanadium ores and concentrates.
Common questions
What is the value of specialty metal ore imported by the United States?
The United States imported specialty metal ore worth $50.7 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 3.3 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 2nd of 68 countries worldwide, with 11% of world imports. The value was up 11% on 2023.
Which countries supply specialty metal ore to the United States?
Australia was the largest supplier with 64% of the value ($32.6 million), followed by Mozambique (17%) and Canada (16%). The top three together account for 98%, out of 14 supplier countries in total. Mozambique grew fastest among the top ten, up 629% on the year.
What is the average import price of specialty metal ore per kg?
The average declared import value was about $15.46 per kg in 2024, 313% above the world average of $3.74 per kg. The figure blends every grade shipped, so it works as a reference point rather than a quote.
How have imports of specialty metal ore to the United States changed since 2017?
Imports went from $41.7 million in 2017 to $50.7 million in 2024, an increase of 22%. The peak was 2022 at $87.6 million. Over 8 years the average was $53.5 million a year.
Does the United States also export specialty metal ore?
Yes. The United States exported $5.2 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly to Taiwan, Lithuania and Belgium. On balance the United States is a net importer of this product, by about $45.5 million a year.
What is the HS code for specialty metal ore?
The HS code for specialty metal ore is subheading 2615.90. It sits in HS chapter 26 (ores, slag and ash). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 2615 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 specialty metal ore trade: top importers and exporters
More trade data for the United States
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