The Aluminum Association promotes aluminium as infinitely recyclable and reports that recycling it takes a small fraction of the energy needed to make primary metal. US brands and building owners now turn that into purchasing rules: recycled content targets, carbon footprints per kilogram and green-building documentation. Suppliers who can prove these claims win more tenders.
What buyers ask for
| Request | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Recycled content percentage | Pre-consumer vs post-consumer scrap, by weight, with a method |
| Carbon footprint per kg | Largely driven by where and how the primary metal was smelted |
| Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) | Third-party verified life-cycle data. Common for façades and building products |
| Supplier code of conduct and traceability | Origin, labour and environmental audits — see supplier audits |
How recycled content interacts with customs data
- For the AIM import licence, the origin of secondary (recycled) aluminium does not have to be reported. The country of most recent cast still does. If you remelt scrap into billet in Vietnam, that is where the metal was cast. See AIM licences.
- Recycled content does not, by itself, reduce Section 232 duty. The rate depends on the product and the annex — see landed cost.
- Imported scrap or billet still needs a clean paper trail. Origin authorities and CBP look at where value was added — see origin risks.
Making green claims safely
- Use specific, measurable wording ("contains 60% recycled aluminium by weight"), not vague terms like "eco-friendly". US regulators expect environmental marketing claims to be substantiated.
- Keep the calculation, scrap purchase records and remelt logs for each batch.
- Do not claim certification you do not hold.
Logistics can lower the footprint too
Ocean freight emits far less per tonne-kilometre than air. Full containers are more efficient than part loads. Routing through deep-sea ports such as Cai Mep can avoid extra transhipment legs. Buyers measuring Scope 3 emissions increasingly ask forwarders for shipment-level CO₂ estimates — see greener shipping.
Related: windows and curtain wall · alloy and HTS guide.
Section 232 annex lists, rates and CBP guidance change on a rolling basis. This article is general guidance, not legal advice — confirm the current treatment of your HTS codes before quoting or shipping.
Balance Trans ships aluminium products from Vietnam and Cambodia to all 50 US states on DDP terms — freight, US customs entry, duties and final delivery in one quote. See DDP shipping to the USA or send us your HTS code and packing list.