236
MINERALS YEARBOOK


FOREIGN TRADE

 Imports.—General imports rose to 616,649 pound$ (8,114 flasks) in
1932 from 27,054 pounds (356 flasks) in 1931, the largest part being in fulfillment
of one contract reported to cover about 530,000 pounds (7,000 flasks) for
use in two mercury-vapor boiler-plant installations. Shipments on this contract
may have exceeded this amount. Imports from Spain totaled 346,090 pounds
(4,554 flasks) and those from Italy 261,972 pounds (3,447 flasks). These
large shipments contrast with shipments of only 26,609 pounds (350 flasks)
from Spain and none from Italy in 1931. Belgium, which had not shipped to
the United States since 1929, supplied 7,606 pounds (100 flasks) in 1932,
while imports from Mexico shrank to 221 pounds (3 flasks) from 445 pounds
in 1931 and 10,716 pounds (141 flasks) in 1930. Imports of 760 pounds from
the United Kingdom were reported.

Mercury imported into the United States, 197d8—32, by countries

[General imports]
Country
1928

Pounds Value

1929


Pounds Value

1930


Pounds Value

1931

~-

Pounds Value

1932


Pounds Value

Belgium         
Canada         
France
Germany        
Hong~ong
Italy           
Mexico         
Peru
Spain           
United Kingdom....
68,454
5
     
40,954
     
428,821
136,208
     
464, 206
30, 100
$93, 823
10
57,414
558, 622
176,968
643, 621
41,559
94,969
37, 500
24,587
53, 259
3
67, 778
91,854
960
715, 311
$129,083
52, 195
33,966
70, 677
4
90, 53f'
5


 
$9


~


7,606


261,972


221


346, 090


760
$3, 100


98,907


199


128, 637


571




122,229
700
947,756
10,716

212,965
 
13,747

282,073
445

26, 609
$622

32, 027



1, 168, 748
1, 572,017
1,080, 221
1,447, 142
223, 686
295,829
27,054
32, 649
616,649
231,414
Mercury compounds imported for consumption in the United States, 1931—3~
Compound
1931

1932


Pounds
Value
Pounds
Value
Chloride (mercuric) (corrosive sublimate)                 
Chloride (mercurous) (calomel)                         
Oxide (red precipitate)                                                 
Mercury preparations (not specifically provided for)         
Vermilion reds (containing quicksilver) .   
100
2, 021

1,472
25, 365
$75
3, 138

2, 209
30, 463
1,302
7
870
15, 620
$1, 352
19
1, 177
15, 301


35,885

17,849

 Exports.—In 1932 the United States exported 16,281 pounds of mercury
(214 flasks) valued at $13,121, compared to 378,769 pounds (4,984 flasks)
valued at $433,596 in 1931. Over 75 percent of the exports went to countries
in the Western Hemisphere, and the balance was shipped to the Far East. No
mercury was shipped to Europe in 1932, whereas in 1931 approximately half
the mercury exported (189,465 pounds) went to Europe.
 The accompanying table shows the exports of mercury in 1931 and 1932 and
the countries of destination. Shipments to Canada were made from the following
customs districts: St. Lawrence (2,161