Help Improve Isotope Trade Data for the U.S. Census Bureau

The U.S. Census Bureau is seeking input from companies that import radioisotopes to help improve the way isotope imports are classified under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS).

Accurate trade data is essential to understanding the U.S. isotope market. Improved classification of individual isotopes will provide a clearer picture of import trends, strengthen market analysis, support domestic supply chain planning, and help inform future policy and investment decisions. Better data benefits the entire isotope community by improving visibility into the availability and demand for critical isotopes used in medicine, industry, national security, and scientific research.

The proposed update would create separate HTS reporting categories for several important isotopes—including actinium-225, astatine-211, barium-133, lead-203, lutetium-177, nickel-63, radium-224/lead-212 generators, and tungsten-188—allowing these products to be tracked more accurately in U.S. trade statistics.

How to Participate

Many organizations that import radioactive isotopes have received a request directly from the U.S. Census Bureau to provide input on proposed updates to Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classifications. If your organization received this request, we encourage you to respond.

If your organization imports radioisotopes under HTS 2844.43.00 but did not receive the Census Bureau's outreach, you are also encouraged to participate.

The Census Bureau is requesting only a rough estimate of what percentage of your imports would fall under the proposed new isotope-specific HTS classifications. Detailed records, customs data, or formal analyses are not required—reasonable estimates are sufficient.

Your input will help improve the quality of U.S. trade statistics and provide better information for industry, policymakers, and the broader isotope community as we work to strengthen America's domestic isotope enterprise. This effort supports more informed planning for a secure, resilient domestic isotope supply chain and future investment decisions.

To participate, download the HTS Survey Response Form, review the proposed classifications, and provide your estimated percentages for the applicable isotope categories. Once completed, submit the form by email to the U.S. International Trade Commission Committee at 484f@usitc.gov, where responses will be forwarded to the U.S. Census Bureau for consideration.

Your participation requires only a few minutes and will help improve the data that supports the future of the U.S. isotope enterprise.

Click Here to Download the Survey Response Form