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Which routes are actually live

Observed through Korea and United States · 29 flows

2 independent customs systems observe these flows. Where their maps differ, a route exists that is not universally used.

Industrial chemicals · Export · HS 390110

Polyethylene

Polyethylene: 5 live destination markets observed, but 5 of them appear on only one side.

Korea 2026-06

China 75.3%

75.3% China 75.3%
17.9% Vietnam 17.9%
United States 4.6%
Other 2.2%
  • China 75.3%
  • Vietnam 17.9%
  • United States 4.6%
  • Other 2.2%
Effective markets
1.7
Unit cost
$1.71/kg
Quarterly value
$106M

United States 2026-05

Mexico 16.8%

16.8% Mexico 16.8%
9.2% Canada 9.2%
6.3% Netherlands 6.3%
China 4.8%
Brazil 3.8%
Colombia 3.7%
Italy 3.3%
Taiwan 3.2%
Turkey 3.1%
45.8% Other 45.8%
  • Mexico 16.8%
  • Canada 9.2%
  • Netherlands 6.3%
  • China 4.8%
  • Brazil 3.8%
  • Colombia 3.7%
  • Italy 3.3%
  • Taiwan 3.2%
  • Turkey 3.1%
  • Other 45.8%
Effective markets
18.2
Unit cost
$1.15/kg
Quarterly value
$1.3B

Destination markets observed this quarter

Seen on one side only China Korea Vietnam Korea Mexico United States Canada United States Netherlands United States

The two systems share no route above the reporting threshold.

Observed at 5% or more of a quarter. A route on only one side is evidence it exists, not that the other side should be using it.

+16.6 United States spreads across 16.6 more effective markets.

Wider and cheaper -32.9% Korea pays 32.9% more per kilogram than United States.

Battery materials · Import · HS 250410

Natural Graphite

Natural Graphite: 5 live sourcing routes observed, but 4 of them appear on only one side.

Korea 2026-06

China 95.6%

95.6% China 95.6%
Other 4.4%
  • China 95.6%
  • Other 4.4%
Effective sources
●●●
Unit cost
●●●
Quarterly value
●●●

United States 2026-05

Indonesia 34.2%

34.2% Indonesia 34.2%
27.3% China 27.3%
13.3% Madagascar 13.3%
6.5% Mexico 6.5%
Brazil 5.5%
Mozambique 4.5%
Canada 4.4%
Other 4.3%
  • Indonesia 34.2%
  • China 27.3%
  • Madagascar 13.3%
  • Mexico 6.5%
  • Brazil 5.5%
  • Mozambique 4.5%
  • Canada 4.4%
  • Other 4.3%
Effective sources
●●●
Unit cost
●●●
Quarterly value
●●●

Sourcing routes observed this quarter

Used by both China
Seen on one side only Indonesia United States Madagascar United States Mexico United States Brazil United States

Observed at 5% or more of a quarter. A route on only one side is evidence it exists, not that the other side should be using it.

United States spreads across 3.4 more effective sources.

Security premium United States pays 61.5% more per kilogram than Korea.

Effective partner counts, unit costs and quarterly values Open with Pro

Battery materials · Export · HS 810520

Cobalt

Cobalt: 7 live destination markets observed, but 6 of them appear on only one side.

Korea 2026-06

Vietnam 89.8%

89.8% Vietnam 89.8%
6.8% China 6.8%
Japan 3.4%
  • Vietnam 89.8%
  • China 6.8%
  • Japan 3.4%
Effective markets
●●●
Unit cost
●●●
Quarterly value
●●●

United States 2026-05

Ireland 19.3%

19.3% Ireland 19.3%
19.1% France 19.1%
11.8% Germany 11.8%
8.1% China 8.1%
Canada 5.9%
Japan 5.7%
Taiwan 4.3%
Singapore 3.7%
22.1% Other 22.1%
  • Ireland 19.3%
  • France 19.1%
  • Germany 11.8%
  • China 8.1%
  • Canada 5.9%
  • Japan 5.7%
  • Taiwan 4.3%
  • Singapore 3.7%
  • Other 22.1%
Effective markets
●●●
Unit cost
●●●
Quarterly value
●●●

Destination markets observed this quarter

Used by both China
Seen on one side only Vietnam Korea Ireland United States France United States Germany United States Canada United States Japan United States

Observed at 5% or more of a quarter. A route on only one side is evidence it exists, not that the other side should be using it.

United States spreads across 8 more effective markets.

Not comparable

Trade values differ by 62×. Unit costs are not like-for-like at this scale — read the mix, not the price.

Effective partner counts, unit costs and quarterly values Open with Pro

Specialty chemicals · Import · HS 380893

Herbicide

Herbicide: 9 live sourcing routes observed, but 8 of them appear on only one side.

Korea 2026-06

China 75.7%

75.7% China 75.7%
14% United States 14%
8.1% Vietnam 8.1%
Other 2.2%
  • China 75.7%
  • United States 14.0%
  • Vietnam 8.1%
  • Other 2.2%
Effective sources
●●●
Unit cost
●●●
Quarterly value
●●●

United States 2026-05

China 24.1%

24.1% China 24.1%
12.1% India 12.1%
11% Israel 11%
8.9% Guatemala 8.9%
8.4% Poland 8.4%
7.2% Colombia 7.2%
6.5% Germany 6.5%
Korea 4.9%
France 4%
United Kingdom 3.8%
Mexico 3.6%
Other 5.5%
  • China 24.1%
  • India 12.1%
  • Israel 11.0%
  • Guatemala 8.9%
  • Poland 8.4%
  • Colombia 7.2%
  • Germany 6.5%
  • Korea 4.9%
  • France 4.0%
  • United Kingdom 3.8%
  • Mexico 3.6%
  • Other 5.5%
Effective sources
●●●
Unit cost
●●●
Quarterly value
●●●

Sourcing routes observed this quarter

Used by both China
Seen on one side only United States Korea Vietnam Korea India United States Israel United States Guatemala United States Poland United States Colombia United States Germany United States

Observed at 5% or more of a quarter. A route on only one side is evidence it exists, not that the other side should be using it.

United States spreads across 6.9 more effective sources.

Not comparable

Trade values differ by 36×. Unit costs are not like-for-like at this scale — read the mix, not the price.

Effective partner counts, unit costs and quarterly values Open with Pro

Industrial chemicals · Import · HS 310210

Urea

Urea: 9 live sourcing routes observed, but 9 of them appear on only one side.

Korea 2026-06

Vietnam 79.3%

79.3% Vietnam 79.3%
16.2% China 16.2%
Japan 3.3%
Other 1.2%
  • Vietnam 79.3%
  • China 16.2%
  • Japan 3.3%
  • Other 1.2%
Effective sources
●●●
Unit cost
●●●
Quarterly value
●●●

United States 2026-05

Russia 39.7%

39.7% Russia 39.7%
10.6% Nigeria 10.6%
9.8% Oman 9.8%
9.2% Qatar 9.2%
7.3% Algeria 7.3%
6.4% Niger 6.4%
Canada 5.2%
Saudi Arabia 3.2%
8.6% Other 8.6%
  • Russia 39.7%
  • Nigeria 10.6%
  • Oman 9.8%
  • Qatar 9.2%
  • Algeria 7.3%
  • Niger 6.4%
  • Canada 5.2%
  • Saudi Arabia 3.2%
  • Other 8.6%
Effective sources
●●●
Unit cost
●●●
Quarterly value
●●●

Sourcing routes observed this quarter

Seen on one side only Vietnam Korea China Korea Russia United States Nigeria United States Oman United States Qatar United States Algeria United States Niger United States Canada United States

The two systems share no route above the reporting threshold.

Observed at 5% or more of a quarter. A route on only one side is evidence it exists, not that the other side should be using it.

United States spreads across 3.4 more effective sources.

Wider and cheaper Korea pays 37.1% more per kilogram than United States.

Effective partner counts, unit costs and quarterly values Open with Pro

Semiconductor · Export · HS 282560

Germanium Oxide

Germanium Oxide: 9 live destination markets observed, but 8 of them appear on only one side.

Korea 2026-06

Germany 57.5%

57.5% Germany 57.5%
27.5% Japan 27.5%
9.8% China 9.8%
Vietnam 3%
Other 2.2%
  • Germany 57.5%
  • Japan 27.5%
  • China 9.8%
  • Vietnam 3.0%
  • Other 2.2%
Effective markets
●●●
Unit cost
●●●
Quarterly value
●●●

United States 2026-05

Germany 24.4%

24.4% Germany 24.4%
18.6% India 18.6%
9.8% Korea 9.8%
8.7% Mexico 8.7%
7.9% Canada 7.9%
7.5% Taiwan 7.5%
France 5.1%
Mozambique 3.5%
United Kingdom 3.5%
Japan 3.3%
7.7% Other 7.7%
  • Germany 24.4%
  • India 18.6%
  • Korea 9.8%
  • Mexico 8.7%
  • Canada 7.9%
  • Taiwan 7.5%
  • France 5.1%
  • Mozambique 3.5%
  • United Kingdom 3.5%
  • Japan 3.3%
  • Other 7.7%
Effective markets
●●●
Unit cost
●●●
Quarterly value
●●●

Destination markets observed this quarter

Used by both Germany
Seen on one side only Japan Korea China Korea India United States Korea United States Mexico United States Canada United States Taiwan United States France United States

Observed at 5% or more of a quarter. A route on only one side is evidence it exists, not that the other side should be using it.

United States spreads across 5.3 more effective markets.

Wider and cheaper Korea pays 30.4% more per kilogram than United States.

Effective partner counts, unit costs and quarterly values Open with Pro

Battery materials · Import · HS 810520

Cobalt

Cobalt: 8 live sourcing routes observed, but 7 of them appear on only one side.

Korea 2026-06

China 63.7%

63.7% China 63.7%
11.8% Japan 11.8%
11.5% United States 11.5%
10.6% Vietnam 10.6%
Other 2.4%
  • China 63.7%
  • Japan 11.8%
  • United States 11.5%
  • Vietnam 10.6%
  • Other 2.4%
Effective sources
●●●
Unit cost
●●●
Quarterly value
●●●

United States 2026-05

Canada 28%

28% Canada 28%
22.4% Norway 22.4%
18% Japan 18%
14.4% Indonesia 14.4%
United Kingdom 5.1%
Madagascar 3.1%
9% Other 9%
  • Canada 28.0%
  • Norway 22.4%
  • Japan 18.0%
  • Indonesia 14.4%
  • United Kingdom 5.1%
  • Madagascar 3.1%
  • Other 9.0%
Effective sources
●●●
Unit cost
●●●
Quarterly value
●●●

Sourcing routes observed this quarter

Used by both Japan
Seen on one side only China Korea United States Korea Vietnam Korea Canada United States Norway United States Indonesia United States United Kingdom United States

Observed at 5% or more of a quarter. A route on only one side is evidence it exists, not that the other side should be using it.

United States spreads across 3.1 more effective sources.

Security premium United States pays 80.1% more per kilogram than Korea.

Effective partner counts, unit costs and quarterly values Open with Pro

Specialty chemicals · Import · HS 252921

Fluorspar

Fluorspar: 3 live sourcing routes observed, but 2 of them appear on only one side.

Korea 2026-06

China 100%

100% China 100%
  • China 100.0%
Effective sources
●●●
Unit cost
●●●
Quarterly value
●●●

United States 2026-05

China 43.9%

43.9% China 43.9%
33.6% Thailand 33.6%
20.3% Mexico 20.3%
Other 2.2%
  • China 43.9%
  • Thailand 33.6%
  • Mexico 20.3%
  • Other 2.2%
Effective sources
●●●
Unit cost
●●●
Quarterly value
●●●

Sourcing routes observed this quarter

Used by both China
Seen on one side only Thailand United States Mexico United States

Observed at 5% or more of a quarter. A route on only one side is evidence it exists, not that the other side should be using it.

United States spreads across 1.9 more effective sources.

Cost in line Both sides pay about the same per kilogram.

Effective partner counts, unit costs and quarterly values Open with Pro

Customs data records the last country of shipment, not the mine or plant of origin. A route seen in one system and not the other is evidence that the route exists, not a judgement of either buyer. Unit costs are declared values within one HS6 line, so grade and packaging differences sit inside any gap.