Chile Lithium Carbonates HS283691 Export Data 2025 September Overview

Chile Lithium Carbonates (HS 283691) 2025 September Export: Key Takeaways

Chile's Lithium Carbonates (HS Code 283691) exports in September 2025 reveal a high-concentration market, with China dominating 58.29% of value and 54.72% of weight, reflecting standard-grade pricing at ~9.26 USD/kg. The top importers—China and South Korea—account for over 98% of demand, driven by battery manufacturing, while Japan, Belgium, and the U.S. serve as secondary hubs. This analysis, covering September 2025, is based on cleanly processed Customs data from the yTrade database.

Chile Lithium Carbonates (HS 283691) 2025 September Export Background

What is HS Code 283691?

HS Code 283691 refers to lithium carbonates, a critical raw material primarily used in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage systems, and consumer electronics. Its global demand remains high due to the accelerating shift toward renewable energy and electrification. Chile, as the world’s top exporter, supplies over 25% of global lithium carbonate, making this HS code strategically significant for international trade [FreightAmigo].

Current Context and Strategic Position

As of September 2025, Chile’s lithium carbonate exports under HS Code 283691 continue to thrive, with volumes surging 27.5% month-over-month in January 2025 [Metal.com]. Trade flows remain stable under existing frameworks like the U.S.-Chile FTA (duty-free access) and the EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement, which standardizes customs procedures [EU Taxation]. Chile’s dominance in lithium carbonates exports underscores its role in meeting global battery demand, particularly from China, the largest importer. Market participants should monitor trade policies and regional shifts to anticipate disruptions or opportunities in Chile’s HS Code 283691 export landscape for 2025.

Chile Lithium Carbonates (HS 283691) 2025 September Export: Trend Summary

Key Observations

In September 2025, Chile's Lithium Carbonates exports under HS Code 283691 totaled $1.46 billion in value and 167.73 million kg in volume, marking a moderate decrease from prior months but maintaining robust annual performance.

Price and Volume Dynamics

Exports declined month-over-month from August, with value dropping 12% and volume down 8.7%, reflecting typical volatility in battery metal markets driven by fluctuating industrial demand cycles, particularly from China's electric vehicle sector. The early 2025 surge, including a 27.5% monthly increase in January [Metal.com], set a high benchmark, but September's dip aligns with periodic inventory adjustments in global supply chains.

External Context and Outlook

No new policy changes impacted Chile's lithium trade in September 2025, with exports continuing under stable frameworks like the EU-Chile Interim Trade Agreement (European Commission) and U.S. duty-free access. Sustained demand from key markets supports a positive outlook, though price sensitivity to global economic conditions may persist.

Chile Lithium Carbonates (HS 283691) 2025 September Export: HS Code Breakdown

Product Specialization and Concentration

In September 2025, Chile's export of lithium carbonates under HS Code 283691 is overwhelmingly dominated by sub-code 28369130, which represents lithium carbonate and accounts for over 95% of both value and weight shares. According to yTrade data, this sub-code has a unit price of 8.70 USD per kilogram, while a minor sub-code, 28369140, shows a lower unit price of 5.87 USD per kilogram with minimal trade activity, indicating it as an isolated anomaly not representative of the main market.

Value-Chain Structure and Grade Analysis

The remaining non-anomalous sub-codes fall into a single category of standardized lithium carbonate, with sub-code 28369190 closely matching the dominant code's unit price at 8.78 USD per kilogram. This uniformity suggests a trade in fungible bulk commodities, likely tied to global indices, with little differentiation in value-add stages or grades beyond the anomalous low-price variant.

Strategic Implication and Pricing Power

Chile's heavy reliance on a single sub-code for lithium carbonate exports under HS Code 283691 reinforces its pricing power in global markets, as demand remains stable and concentrated. Strategic efforts should focus on optimizing high-volume production to maintain this advantage, supported by ongoing strong export trends noted in industry reports [FreightAmigo].

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Chile Lithium Carbonates (HS 283691) 2025 September Export: Market Concentration

Geographic Concentration and Dominant Role

In September 2025, Chile's lithium carbonate exports under HS Code 283691 are dominated by China Mainland, which holds 58.29% of the value and 54.72% of the weight. The slight disparity where value ratio exceeds weight ratio suggests consistent, standard-grade pricing for this commodity, with an estimated unit price around 9.26 USD per kilogram. This concentration underscores China's role as the primary market for Chile's lithium carbonates.

Partner Countries Clusters and Underlying Causes

The top importers form two clear clusters: first, China and South Korea, which together account for over 98% of the value, driven by their massive battery and electronics manufacturing sectors. Second, Japan, Belgium, and the United States, with smaller shares, likely reflect secondary demand or regional distribution hubs, such as Belgium serving the EU market. Minor players like Taiwan and India indicate emerging or niche applications.

Forward Strategy and Supply Chain Implications

For suppliers, maintaining strong ties with China and South Korea is crucial due to their overwhelming demand. [FreightAmigo] notes Chile's export surge, reinforcing the need for stable supply chains. Diversifying into secondary markets could mitigate risks, leveraging existing trade agreements for duty-free access to key regions.

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Chile Lithium Carbonates (HS 283691) 2025 September Export: Action Plan for Lithium Carbonates Market Expansion

Strategic Supply Chain Overview

Chile Lithium Carbonates Export 2025 September under HS Code 283691 operates as a bulk commodity market. Price is driven by global lithium demand, particularly from battery manufacturers, and tied to standard-grade quality benchmarks. China's dominance (58.29% value share) and high-volume buyer concentration (68.12% value from bulk purchasers) create pricing stability but also dependency risk. Supply chain implications center on secure, high-volume logistics to key hubs like China and South Korea, with minimal value-add differentiation beyond the primary product grade.

Action Plan: Data-Driven Steps for Lithium Carbonates Market Execution

• Monitor buyer purchase frequency data monthly. This identifies any shifts in bulk order patterns early, allowing quick response to demand changes.
• Diversify export targets using trade flow analytics. Focus on secondary markets like the EU and USA to reduce over-reliance on China and capture emerging demand.
• Negotiate long-term contracts with high-frequency buyers. Lock in stable volumes and pricing, securing revenue predictability in a volatile commodity market.
• Optimize logistics routes for cost efficiency. Prioritize shipments to major hubs like South Korea to maintain competitive delivery times and reduce transit expenses.
• Track HS Code 283691 sub-code unit prices weekly. Detect any anomalies or grade-based price shifts, ensuring alignment with global index benchmarks.

Take Action Now —— Explore Chile Lithium Carbonates Export Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is driving the recent changes in Chile Lithium Carbonates Export 2025 September?

The September 2025 dip in exports (-12% value, -8.7% volume) reflects typical volatility in battery metal markets, linked to China's cyclical industrial demand adjustments. This follows an early 2025 surge, indicating periodic inventory rebalancing rather than structural shifts.

Q2. Who are the main partner countries in this Chile Lithium Carbonates Export 2025 September?

China dominates with 58.29% of export value, followed by South Korea; together they account for over 98% of trade. Secondary markets like Japan and Belgium represent niche or regional distribution demand.

Q3. Why does the unit price differ across Chile Lithium Carbonates Export 2025 September partner countries?

Price differences stem from a minor sub-code (28369140) priced at 5.87 USD/kg, an outlier versus the dominant standardized grade (8.70–8.78 USD/kg). Most trade involves fungible bulk commodities tied to global indices.

Q4. What should exporters in Chile focus on in the current Lithium Carbonates export market?

Exporters should prioritize high-volume buyers (68.12% of value) for stable revenue while engaging smaller buyers to diversify. Maintaining China and South Korea as core markets is critical given their overwhelming demand share.

Q5. What does this Chile Lithium Carbonates export pattern mean for buyers in partner countries?

Buyers in China and South Korea benefit from consistent supply and standardized pricing, while niche buyers in smaller markets face limited leverage due to Chile’s concentrated trade structure.

Q6. How is Lithium Carbonates typically used in this trade flow?

Lithium carbonates are primarily traded as bulk commodities for battery manufacturing, driven by demand from electric vehicle and electronics sectors in key markets like China.