US Aluminum Imports by Country 2026

Aluminum is a chemical element with atomic number 13 and the symbol Al. Aluminum is the third most abundant element after oxygen and silicon and makes up about 8% of the Earth’s crust. Aluminum is a silvery, non-magnetic, highly reactive, and ductile metal. Its malleability, durability, conductivity, and resistance to corrosion make it incredibly popular.

Aluminum is a very useful metal, its oxides and sulfates being the most useful compounds. The most common uses of aluminum include construction, transportation, consumer goods, and electrical purposes. In construction, thanks to its resistance to corrosion and thermal efficiency, aluminum is a great material for buildings. The first building in which aluminum was widely used was the Empire State Building in 1931. Aluminum is used in transportation for its strength and light weight, making it ideal for improved fuel efficiency. Aluminum alloys are used in modern aircraft and spacecraft thanks to their light weight, strength, and flexibility. Aluminum is increasingly used in consumer goods, such as smartphones, laptops, tablets, and televisions, allowing for technology to look sleek, be durable, and remain light in weight. For electrical purposes, aluminum is used for long-distance power lines, motors, appliances, and power systems.

In 2017, according to the World Steel Association, the United States produced 890,000 metric tons of aluminum.

In 2023, the United States imported approximately 4.7 million metric tons of aluminum, valued at around $18.7 billion. These imports came from over 130 countries, though about 82% of the total value was concentrated among the top 15 trading partners. Canada remained the largest supplier by a significant margin.

Of the $18.7 billion in imported aluminum, about 43% was unwrought aluminum metal, 16% was alumni plates and sheets, 8% was miscellaneous aluminum, about 7% for aluminum structures (bridges or towers), about 6% aluminum foil, about 4.9% was aluminum household items (kitchenware, etc.), 4.9% in aluminum bars and rods, 4.5% – aluminum scrap, wire about 3%, and cans, containers, and tubes and pipes together contributed just under 2% of the total value.