Steel drum exports from the United States: data, top buyers and prices
The United States exported $161.1 million of steel drum in 2024 (27.9 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 3rd largest exporter of this product worldwide, out of 155 countries. That is 17% less than in 2023. Over 2017-2024 it shrank by about 7% a year on average. The peak in this period was 2018, at $280.8 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 | $161.1M | 27.9K t |
| 2023 | $194.6M | 33.1K t |
| 2022 | $237.7M | 36.9K t |
| 2021 | $180.8M | 37.6K t |
| 2020 | $168.3M | 33.6K t |
| 2019 | $232.3M | 54.2K t |
| 2018 | $280.8M | 73.7K t |
| 2017 | $266.1M | 67.1K t |
Where the United States exports steel drum to
The largest buyer markets were Mexico (36%), Canada (31%), Australia (6%). Among the main buyer markets, Australia grew fastest (+848% on the year before).
| Destination | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | $58.5M | 36% |
| Canada | $50.6M | 31% |
| Australia | $10.3M | 6.4% |
| China | $5.8M | 3.6% |
| Argentina | $4.7M | 2.9% |
| Italy | $3.9M | 2.5% |
| Japan | $2.5M | 1.6% |
| South Korea | $2.5M | 1.6% |
| Netherlands | $1.9M | 1.2% |
| Bahamas | $1.3M | 0.8% |
Average export price per kg
The average declared value was about $5.78 per kg, 64% above the world average of $3.53. 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.
Steel drum imports to the United States
Imports of steel drum by the United States reached $122.6 million in 2024 (20.1 thousand tonnes). That makes it the 2nd largest importer of this product worldwide, out of 217 countries. The largest suppliers were Canada (31%), Mexico (13%), China (11%). Among the main suppliers, United Kingdom grew fastest (+408% on the year before).
| Supplier country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | $37.4M | 31% |
| Mexico | $15.5M | 13% |
| China | $13.3M | 11% |
| South Korea | $9.0M | 7.3% |
| Germany | $6.6M | 5.4% |
| Italy | $6.0M | 4.9% |
| Taiwan | $4.7M | 3.9% |
| United Kingdom | $3.8M | 3.1% |
| Switzerland | $3.2M | 2.6% |
| Ireland | $2.9M | 2.3% |
Who is behind these numbers in the United States?
The shipment records behind United States steel drum exports (HS 7310.10): 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 7310.10: Tanks, casks, drums, cans, boxes and similar containers, for any material (excluding compressed or liquefied gas), 50l or more capacity but not exceeding 300l.
Common questions
What is the value of steel drum exported by the United States?
The United States exported steel drum worth $161.1 million in 2024, the latest year with complete public data, about 27.9 thousand tonnes. That ranks it 3rd of 155 countries worldwide, with 9% of world exports. The value was down 17% on 2023.
Which countries buy steel drum from the United States?
Mexico was the largest buyer with 36% of the value ($58.5 million), followed by Canada (31%) and Australia (6%). The top three together account for 74%, out of 132 buyer countries in total. Australia grew fastest among the top ten, up 848% on the year.
What is the average export price of steel drum per kg?
The average declared export value was about $5.78 per kg in 2024, 64% above the world average of $3.53 per kg. Because it averages all grades and sizes, treat the figure as a market benchmark, not a price offer.
How have exports of steel drum from the United States changed since 2017?
Exports went from $266.1 million in 2017 to $161.1 million in 2024, a fall of 39%. The peak was 2018 at $280.8 million. Over 8 years the average was $215.2 million a year.
Does the United States also import steel drum?
Yes. The United States imported $122.6 million worth of this product in 2024, mainly from Canada, Mexico and China. On balance the United States is a net exporter of this product, by about $38.6 million a year.
What is the HS code for steel drum?
The HS code for steel drum is subheading 7310.10. It sits in HS chapter 73 (iron or steel articles). The full list of codes and descriptions is on the HS 7310 page.
How can I find the companies behind this trade?
EximDataX has a direct customs feed for the United States, so the importers and exporters behind these totals are visible by name, shipment by shipment. Ask for a live look at your product.
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