Why do Vietnam and Turkey supply over 63% of US seaborne cement imports?

Vietnam supplied 650,118 tonnes and Turkey 580,896 tonnes of the 1,933,001 tonnes of Portland cement imported by vessel in July 2026, 63.7% between them. Both countries operate coastal plants that export by sea. Canada was the third supplier by vessel (219,107 tonnes).

What ASTM standards must imported cement meet for US ready-mix concrete use?

Imported cement must comply with ASTM C150 Type I (general use) or Type II (moderate sulfate resistance). The standard sets limits on compressive strength, fineness, tricalcium aluminate (C3A) for Type II and, where low-alkali cement is specified, equivalent alkalies; the Mill Test Report states the result against each limit.

How are bulk cement vessels discharged without environmental dust emissions?

Vessels discharge either via self-unloading pneumatic systems or shore-based enclosed continuous mechanical unloaders (screw or vacuum conveyors) pumping directly into coastal storage silos or covered barge fleets under negative pressure baghouse filtration, strictly meeting US Clean Air Act and local air quality district limits.

What commercial settlement terms govern bulk cement import contracts?

Shipments are structured on CFR or CIF liner out terms, settled via 100% Irrevocable Documentary Letter of Credit (L/C) at sight against presentation of ocean bills of lading, independent load-port SGS/Saybolt draft survey and quality assay, and certified manufacturer Mill Test Report.

North America · United States

US Coastal Cement & Clinker Import Gateway

1,933,001 tonnes of Portland cement (ASTM C150 Type I/II) imported by vessel in July 2026 into US Gulf, Atlantic and Pacific terminals, led by Vietnam and Turkey

Coastal U.S. markets import cement where regional demand exceeds domestic kiln capacity, and ready-mix producers and independent distributors rely on bulk imports of ASTM C150 Type I/II Portland Cement. US trade data record 1,933,001 metric tonnes of Portland cement imported by ocean vessel in July 2026 with a customs value of USD 110.0 million ($56.90/MT, excluding freight and insurance), alongside 171,719 metric tonnes of clinker.

Two origins supplied over 63% of the tonnage: Vietnam (650,118 MT in July 2026 at a customs value of USD 38.74/MT, USD 78.64/MT CIF) and Turkey (580,896 MT, USD 88.18/MT CIF). Arrivals discharged at import terminals in Houston, Gramercy, San Francisco and Newark.

CBIL brokers bulk cement and clinker import stems for U.S. distributors and grinding mills. CBIL is a commodity brokerage: each lot is brokered between a named seller and a named buyer against independent inspection and the manufacturer's Mill Test Report (MTR) to ASTM C150 / AASHTO M85 (compressive strength, fineness, SO3, loss on ignition and equivalent alkalies), settled under documentary credit terms.

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The market in figures

Declared US vessel cement imports, July 2026: 1,933,001 t (customs value USD 110.0 million)
Average customs value: USD 56.90 per metric tonne, vessel imports, July 2026
Top supplying origins, July 2026: Vietnam: 650,118 t ($78.64/t CIF) · Turkey: 580,896 t ($88.18/t CIF)
Leading coastal discharge gateways: Houston, TX (328.5k t) · Gramercy, LA (218.5k t) · San Francisco, CA (186.2k t) · Newark, NJ (144.0k t)
Standard product specification: ASTM C150 Type I/II Portland Cement · AASHTO M85 · Mill Test Report with each lot

Landed values are the importing country's declared CIF, not CBIL prices.

Questions buyers ask

Why do Vietnam and Turkey supply over 63% of US seaborne cement imports?: Vietnam supplied 650,118 tonnes and Turkey 580,896 tonnes of the 1,933,001 tonnes of Portland cement imported by vessel in July 2026, 63.7% between them. Both countries operate coastal plants that export by sea. Canada was the third supplier by vessel (219,107 tonnes).
What ASTM standards must imported cement meet for US ready-mix concrete use?: Imported cement must comply with ASTM C150 Type I (general use) or Type II (moderate sulfate resistance). The standard sets limits on compressive strength, fineness, tricalcium aluminate (C3A) for Type II and, where low-alkali cement is specified, equivalent alkalies; the Mill Test Report states the result against each limit.
How are bulk cement vessels discharged without environmental dust emissions?: Vessels discharge either via self-unloading pneumatic systems or shore-based enclosed continuous mechanical unloaders (screw or vacuum conveyors) pumping directly into coastal storage silos or covered barge fleets under negative pressure baghouse filtration, strictly meeting US Clean Air Act and local air quality district limits.
What commercial settlement terms govern bulk cement import contracts?: Shipments are structured on CFR or CIF liner out terms, settled via 100% Irrevocable Documentary Letter of Credit (L/C) at sight against presentation of ocean bills of lading, independent load-port SGS/Saybolt draft survey and quality assay, and certified manufacturer Mill Test Report.