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Tin
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Chemical details
- State at room conditions
- Solid
- Melting point
- 505 K (232 °C)
- Boiling point
- 2,875 K (2,602 °C)
- Density
- 7.287 g/cm³
- Common oxidation states
- +4, +2
- Electronegativity (Pauling)
- 1.96
- Atomic radius
- 217 pm
- First ionization energy
- 7.344 eV
- Discovered
- Ancient
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine, PubChem, Periodic Table of Elements (element Tin) (current at retrieval)
On the USGS 2025 List of Critical Minerals. Figures: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026 (data release, public domain). Estimates are USGS's; check the USGS chapter for notes. Each panel names its source; full citations are in the methodology source register.
Overview
The headline numbers: how much the U.S. depends on imports and how concentrated supply is.
How much does the U.S. import?
of U.S. tin use was met by imports in 2025 (USGS net import reliance).
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Tin (February 2026)
Did you know?
Tin has 10 stable isotopes, more than any other element in the periodic table.
Checked against two independent sources. Verified 2026-10-26.
Sources: Wikipedia · Los Alamos National Laboratory periodic table (Wikipedia text is CC BY-SA)
How concentrated is supply?
57% of world production comes from three countries (China, Indonesia, Peru). Concentrated.
Thirds of the bar: under 33%, 33 to 65%, 66% and over. Our own rule of thumb, not a USGS rating.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Tin (February 2026)
Supply
Who produces it, where the reserves are, where U.S. imports come from, and how U.S. supply has moved.
Who has it, and who digs it?
Where it is produced, 2025
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| China | 24% |
| Indonesia | 21% |
| Peru | 11% |
| Brazil | 10% |
| Congo (Kinshasa) | 9% |
| Bolivia | 5% |
Where the reserves are
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Indonesia | 23% |
| China | 20% |
| Brazil | 12% |
| Burma | 12% |
| Australia | 9% |
| Russia | 8% |
Share of the world total as printed by USGS (rounded). Production and reserves are different things: reserves are what is economic to mine. Hover or focus a bar for its value, or switch to the table view.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Tin (February 2026)
Where U.S. imports come from
Choose a data set, then a view. A country keeps the same color in every chart on this page. Grey means other countries, or a country beyond the seven colors (always labeled). Hover or focus a mark for its value, or use the table view.
- Peru31%
- Bolivia27%
- Indonesia15%
- Brazil10%
- Other countries17%
| Country | Share of U.S. imports | Share of this chart |
|---|---|---|
| Peru | 31% | 31.0% |
| Bolivia | 27% | 27.0% |
| Indonesia | 15% | 15.0% |
| Brazil | 10% | 10.0% |
| Other countries | 17% | 17.0% |
Average share of U.S. imports of refined tin, 2021–24, as printed by USGS (rounded, so shares may not sum to 100). Other countries are USGS's own grouping.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Tin (February 2026)
- Canada91%
- Mexico6%
- Other countries3%
| Country | Share of U.S. imports | Share of this chart |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | 91% | 91.0% |
| Mexico | 6% | 6.0% |
| Other countries | 3% | 3.0% |
Average share of U.S. imports of waste and scrap, 2021–24, as printed by USGS (rounded, so shares may not sum to 100). Other countries are USGS's own grouping.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Tin (February 2026)
- India100% · $62K
| Country | U.S. imports, 2025 | Share of this chart |
|---|---|---|
| India | 100% · $62K | 100.0% |
U.S. general imports (customs value) in calendar 2025 under HS 2609; countries beyond the top six are grouped. The code can include goods beyond this mineral.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API: U.S. imports by HS code and country (calendar 2025) (data months 2025-12, 2026-08)
- Peru46% · $459.9M
- Bolivia24% · $242.6M
- Indonesia9% · $92.7M
- Poland5% · $46.0M
- Brazil4% · $43.2M
- Malaysia3% · $27.2M
- All other countries10% · $96.9M
| Country | U.S. imports, 2025 | Share of this chart |
|---|---|---|
| Peru | 46% · $459.9M | 45.6% |
| Bolivia | 24% · $242.6M | 24.1% |
| Indonesia | 9% · $92.7M | 9.2% |
| Poland | 5% · $46.0M | 4.6% |
| Brazil | 4% · $43.2M | 4.3% |
| Malaysia | 3% · $27.2M | 2.7% |
| All other countries | 10% · $96.9M | 9.6% |
U.S. general imports (customs value) in calendar 2025 under HS 8001; countries beyond the top six are grouped. The code can include goods beyond this mineral. The Shift view compares each country's share of 2025 with its share of Jan to Aug 2026 (shares of each period's total).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API: U.S. imports by HS code and country (calendar 2025; Jan to Aug 2026) (data months 2025-12, 2026-08)
U.S. supply mix
metric tons, 2021 to 2025
Imports are before exports, so the stack is not the same as U.S. consumption.
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Tin (February 2026)
Price
Price, average, cents per pound: New York dealer
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Tin (February 2026)
Trade and tariffs
Tariff codes and the countries behind U.S. imports and exports.
Trade codes and tariffs
| HTS code | What it covers | Normal rate | Column 2 rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2609 | Tin ores and concentrates | Free | Free |
| 8001 | Unwrought tin | Free | Free |
Rates from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule (USITC, saved 2026-10-26). The normal rate is column 1 general; column 2 applies to countries without normal trade relations. A range means different products under the code have different rates. Section 232, Section 301, emergency tariffs and antidumping or countervailing duties are set in separate notices and are not shown. Look up any code at hts.usitc.gov. These are the main codes for this mineral, not a complete list.
Source: U.S. International Trade Commission, Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, general and column 2 rates (edition current when saved)
U.S. trade by country
U.S. imports in 2025 by source country, code 8001
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Peru | 46% · $459.9M |
| Bolivia | 24% · $242.6M |
| Indonesia | 9% · $92.7M |
| Poland | 5% · $46.0M |
| Brazil | 4% · $43.2M |
| Malaysia | 3% · $27.2M |
U.S. exports in 2025 by destination, code 8001
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Mexico | 48% · $63.9M |
| Canada | 33% · $43.7M |
| Poland | 6% · $8.6M |
| Belgium | 3% · $4.6M |
| United Arab Emirates | 2% · $3.2M |
| Venezuela | 1% · $1.6M |
2609 Tin ores and concentrates
Top import sources India 100%
Top export destinations Malaysia 52%, Poland 36%, United Arab Emirates 12%
8001 Tin, unwrought
Top import sources Peru 46%, Bolivia 24%, Indonesia 9%
Top export destinations Mexico 48%, Canada 33%, Poland 6%
U.S. Census Bureau International Trade API, saved 2026-10-26. Imports are general imports (customs value) and exports are total exports, in U.S. dollars. Duty collected is Census's calculated duty on imports for consumption. Figures cover every 10-digit product under the code, so they can include goods beyond this mineral, and the duty shown is not split into Section 232, Section 301 or antidumping duties. Bars show the largest code for each direction. Group rows such as the EU or OECD are left out so no country is counted twice.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Trade API: U.S. imports and exports by HS code and country (calendar 2025, and January to Aug 2026) (data months 2025-12, 2026-08)
Value chain and risk
Where in the chain the bottlenecks sit, and what other governments and sources say about supply risk.
Value chain: where the bottlenecks are
Mining bottleneck
The United States has not mined tin since 1993 or smelted it since 1989. (no U.S. activity)
The source says
“Tin has not been mined or smelted in the United States since 1993 or 1989, respectively.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Tin (PDF page 198) (2026-02)
Ore processing and primary recovery
The United States has not mined tin since 1993 or smelted it since 1989, and about 77% of its refined tin use was met by net imports in 2025. (no U.S. activity)
The source says
“Tin has not been mined or smelted in the United States since 1993 or 1989, respectively.”
“Net import reliance4 as a percentage of apparent consumption, refined tin 80 77 73 75 77”
Source: USGS, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Tin (2026)
Refining and separation
A company in Coatesville, PA, won $19 million under the Defense Production Act for a domestic tin smelting, refining and recycling facility, and began building a $65 million processing plant in Martinsville, VA, expected to be operating by late 2026. (no U.S. activity)
The source says
“the company was awarded $19 million from the U.S. Department of War under the Defense Production Act, Title III, to support the development of a domestic tin smelting, refining, and recycling facility.”
“in September began construction of a $65 million tin metal production and processing facility in Martinsville, VA. The Martinsville facility was expected to be operational by late 2026.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Tin (PDF page 198) (2026-02)
Metal, alloy and chemical
Refined tin imports came from Peru (31%), Bolivia (27%), Indonesia (15%) and Brazil (10%) in 2021-24. (partly U.S.)
The source says
“Refined tin: Peru, 31%; Bolivia, 27%; Indonesia, 15%; Brazil, 10%; and other, 17%.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Tin (PDF page 198) (2026-02)
Components and end use
U.S. tin went to chemicals (25%), tinplate (16%), alloys (12%) and solder (11%) in 2025. (U.S. role not stated)
The source says
“The uses for tin in the United States were chemicals, 25%; tinplate, 16%; alloys, 12%; solder, 11%;”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Tin (PDF page 198) (2026-02)
Recycling
About 10,000 tons of tin was recovered from old scrap at one detinning plant and 31 secondary plants, 22% of apparent consumption. (U.S. activity)
The source says
“about 10,000 tons was recovered from old scrap at 1 detinning plant and 31 secondary nonferrous-metal-processing plants, accounting for 22% of apparent consumption.”
Source: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026, Tin (PDF page 198) (2026-02)
Pilot. Summaries are ours, from official pages; each quoted passage is checked against the saved page. “Bottleneck” (orange dot) is shown only where the quote shows one country dominating the stage or the United States relying on imports for it. “No sourced data yet” means we have not found a source, not that the stage is unproblematic.
Mines, plants and partners
Named facilities with their operators and locations, as each source describes them on the date shown. 7 sourced entries for Tin.
Refining and separation
Yunnan Tin Co. Ltd. (Yunnan Tin Industry Group Co. Ltd.)
Gejiu, Yunnan, China · Status not stated
The source says
“China Smelter Gejiu, Yunnan Yunnan Tin Co. Ltd. (Yunnan Tin Industry Group Co. Ltd.)”
“Explanation: This list contains global facilities known to be able to process tin concentrates to produce industrial tin products.”
Minsur S.A.
Pisco, Ica Region, Peru · Status not stated
The source says
“Peru Refinery and smelter Pisco, Ica Region Minsur S.A.”
“Explanation: This list contains global facilities known to be able to process tin concentrates to produce industrial tin products.”
PT Timah Tbk
Mentok, Bangka Belitung, Indonesia · Status not stated
The source says
“Indonesia Smelter Mentok, Kepulauan Bangka Belitung PT Timah Tbk Mentok”
“Explanation: This list contains global facilities known to be able to process tin concentrates to produce industrial tin products.”
Malaysia Smelting Corp. Bhd.
Butterworth, Penang, Malaysia · Status not stated
The source says
“Malaysia Smelter Butterworth, Penang Malaysia Smelting Corp. Bhd.”
“Explanation: This list contains global facilities known to be able to process tin concentrates to produce industrial tin products.”
Thailand Smelting and Refining Co. Ltd. (Thaisarco)
Phuket, Thailand · Status not stated
The source says
“Thailand Refinery and smelter Phuket, Phuket Province Thailand Smelting and Refining Co. Ltd. (Thaisarco)”
“Explanation: This list contains global facilities known to be able to process tin concentrates to produce industrial tin products.”
Aurubis Beerse N.V.
Beerse, Antwerp, Belgium · Status not stated
The source says
“Belgium Smelter Beerse, Antwerp Aurubis Beerse N.V.”
“Explanation: This list contains global facilities known to be able to process tin concentrates to produce industrial tin products.”
Empresa Metalúrgica Vinto S.A. (Compania Minera Colquira S.A.)
Vinto, Oruro Department, Bolivia · Status not stated
The source says
“Bolivia Smelter Vinto smelting complex, Vinto, Oruro Department Empresa Metalúrgica Vinto S.A. (Compania Minera Colquira S.A.)”
“Explanation: This list contains global facilities known to be able to process tin concentrates to produce industrial tin products.”
A curated list, not a complete register: it shows facilities we could confirm in a source page, and a missing name means we have not sourced it, not that it does not exist. Each quoted passage is checked against the saved page. Partnerships are listed only where the source states them.
Policy and funding
Federal items we track for this mineral, each linked to its original.
Policy timeline and funding
No tagged items for this mineral yet. Browse all items.
Data tables
The USGS figures behind the charts. Click a column heading to sort.
Tin: USGS tables
United States
| Measure | Unit | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net import reliance as a percentage of apparent consumption, refined tin | percent | 75 | 77 |
| Production, secondary: Old scrap | metric tons | 8,550 | 9,000 |
| Production, secondary: New scrap | metric tons | 8,000 | 8,000 |
| Imports for consumption: Refined | metric tons | 25,400 | 32,000 |
| Imports for consumption: Tin alloys, gross weight | metric tons | 731 | 1,200 |
| Imports for consumption: Tin waste and scrap, gross weight | metric tons | 8,210 | 8,100 |
| Exports: Refined | metric tons | 596 | 850 |
| Exports: Tin alloys, gross weight | metric tons | 1,330 | 800 |
| Exports: Tin waste and scrap, gross weight | metric tons | 13,400 | 4,500 |
| Shipments from Government stockpile, gross weight | metric tons | NA | NA |
| Consumption, apparent, refined | metric tons | 34,600 | 43,000 |
| Price, average, cents per pound: New York dealer | cents per pound | 1,420 | 1,600 |
| Price, average, cents per pound: London Metal Exchange (LME), cash | cents per pound | 1,368 | 1,500 |
| Stocks, consumer and dealer, yearend | metric tons | 9,600 | 8,100 |
World production (metric tons; top 6 of 15, plus other countries)
| Country | 2024 | 2025 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 71,000 | 71,000 | 24% |
| Indonesia | 55,000 | 61,000 | 21% |
| Peru | 32,300 | 33,000 | 11% |
| Brazil | 27,600 | 28,000 | 10% |
| Congo (Kinshasa) | 26,000 | 27,000 | 9% |
| Bolivia | 21,200 | 15,000 | 5% |
| Other countries | 1,570 | 1,700 | 1% |
World total 2025: 290,000 metric tons (as printed by USGS, rounded).
World reserves (metric tons; top 6 of 15, plus other countries)
| Country | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Indonesia | 1,400,000 |
| China | 1,200,000 |
| Brazil | 700,000 |
| Burma | 700,000 |
| Australia | 570,000 |
| Russia | 460,000 |
| Other countries | 310,000 |
U.S. import sources: Refined tin (percent of imports, 2021–24)
| Country | Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Peru | 31 |
| Bolivia | 27 |
| Indonesia | 15 |
| Brazil | 10 |
| Other countries | 17 |
U.S. import sources: Waste and scrap (percent of imports, 2021–24)
| Country | Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Canada | 91 |
| Mexico | 6 |
| Other countries | 3 |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries 2026: Tin (February 2026)