HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2505.10 – Sands; natural, silica and quartz sands, whether or not coloured
HS code 2505.10 is the 6-digit subheading for sands, natural, silica and quartz sands, whether or not coloured. It is used for foundry sand, glass sand, frac sand, filter sand and industrial silica sand.
What HS 2505.10 covers
Silica and quartz sands are indispensable industrial minerals, traded globally for their purity and specific physical properties. They are critical raw materials for glass manufacturing (flat glass, container glass), foundry molds, ceramics, and as proppants in hydraulic fracturing (frac sand) for oil and gas extraction. Countries with high-quality, abundant deposits are major exporters, while industrial nations with robust manufacturing and energy sectors are primary importers. The trade involves bulk shipments, with specifications like grain size distribution, chemical purity, and angularity being crucial for different applications. Demand is heavily influenced by construction activity, the automotive industry, and the energy sector, making it a foundational commodity in modern industry.
- Covers
- Foundry sand
- Glass sand
- Frac sand
- Filter sand
- Industrial silica sand
- High-purity quartz sand
- White silica sand
- Examples
- Ottawa Sand (USA)
- various industrial silica sands from Australia
- Belgium
- or Norway
- high-purity quartz from Brazil
Codes often confused with 2505.10
Common mistake. This code specifically covers silica and quartz sands; other natural sands fall under 250590, and sands containing metal ores are classified in Chapter 26.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 250510, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 250510 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 46% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 13% of world imports. Germany reports $147M of its chapter 25 exports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher. Mexico reports $462M of its chapter 25 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $661M 46% of world exports
- 2 Belgium $92M 6.4% of world exports
- 3 Germany $91M 6.3% of world exports
Germany reports $147M of its chapter 25 exports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.
World total: $1.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Canada $191M 13% of world imports
- 2 China $177M 12% of world imports
- 3 Türkiye $72M 4.9% of world imports
Mexico reports $462M of its chapter 25 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM code for 2505.10
Brazil does not split HS 2505.10: its NCM code is 2505.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 25.05 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2505.10
What is HS code 250510?
HS code 250510 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Sands; natural, silica and quartz sands, whether or not coloured. Silica and quartz sands are indispensable industrial minerals, traded globally for their purity and specific physical properties. They are critical raw materials for glass manufacturing (flat glass, container glass), foundry molds, ceramics, and as proppants in hydraulic fracturing (frac sand) for oil and gas extraction. Countries with high-quality, abundant deposits are major exporters, while industrial nations with robust manufacturing and energy sectors are primary importers. The trade involves bulk shipments, with specifications like grain size distribution, chemical purity, and angularity being crucial for different applications. Demand is heavily influenced by construction activity, the automotive industry, and the energy sector, making it a foundational commodity in modern industry.
What products fall under HS code 250510?
Foundry sand, glass sand, frac sand, filter sand, industrial silica sand, high-purity quartz sand, white silica sand
What are common misclassifications for HS code 250510?
This code specifically covers silica and quartz sands; other natural sands fall under 250590, and sands containing metal ores are classified in Chapter 26.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 250510?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 250510 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($661M, 46% of world exports), Belgium ($92M) and Germany ($91M). World exports came to about $1.4B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Germany reports $147M of its chapter 25 exports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 250510?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 250510 in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($191M, 13% of world imports), China ($177M) and Türkiye ($72M). World imports came to about $1.5B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Mexico reports $462M of its chapter 25 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
How is HS code 250510 structured?
HS code 250510 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (25) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 250510?
In Brazil, HS code 250510 is NCM 2505.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.