HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 25.06 – Quartz; (other than natural sands), quartzite, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape
What HS 25.06 covers
HS Code 2506 covers quartz (other than natural sands) and quartzite, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape. This heading is crucial for distinguishing raw, unworked or minimally processed quartz and quartzite from both natural sands (covered by 2505) and highly refined or manufactured quartz products. The scope includes natural quartz in its various forms, such as lumps, crushed material, or natural crystals, provided they are not gem-quality or otherwise worked beyond simple trimming or cutting into basic block/slab shapes. Quartzite, a metamorphic rock composed primarily of quartz, is also included under the same conditions. This classification is vital for trade compliance as it separates raw industrial minerals from dimension stone (which is more extensively worked and often classified under Chapter 68) and precious stones (Chapter 71). The 'roughly trimmed or merely cut' clause is key, indicating minimal processing intended for further manufacturing, not for final architectural or decorative use. Quartz and quartzite are fundamental raw materials for industries like ceramics, glass, abrasives, and metallurgy, as well as for high-purity applications when subsequently processed. Its placement in Chapter 25, 'Salt; Sulphur; Earths and Stone; Plastering Materials, Lime and Cement,' reflects its identity as a basic, naturally occurring mineral or rock.
- Covers
- Raw quartz lumps
- Natural quartzite blocks
- Crushed quartz for industrial use
- Unworked quartz crystals (non-gemstone)
- Roughly trimmed quartz
- Quartzite slabs (rectangular/square)
- Quartz pebbles
- Natural silica rock (non-sand)
- Quartz gravel (larger than sand)
- Unprocessed quartzite
- Industrial quartz (raw)
- Natural quartz powder (coarse)
- Quartz for ferrosilicon production
- Quartzite for refractory applications
- Raw electrical grade quartz.
- Examples
Brazil, rich in mineral deposits, exports large quantities of raw quartz lumps and roughly cut quartzite blocks to China, where they are used in the ceramics and refractory industries, utilizing bulk cargo shipping across the Pacific. Similarly, Norway, a source of high-purity quartz, ships industrial-grade quartz to Germany for specialized glass and solar panel manufacturing, often via maritime routes across the North Sea. Another scenario involves India exporting quartzite slabs, merely cut into rectangular shapes, to the Middle East for use in construction as a basic building material, leveraging traditional trade routes through the Indian Ocean.
Subheadings under 25.06 2
Codes often confused with 25.06
Common mistake. A common misclassification for 2506 is confusing it with natural sands (2505), particularly quartz sand. The distinction lies in particle size and intended use: 2506 covers larger, lump, or block forms of quartz/quartzite, not granular sand. Another error is classifying worked quartz, such as polished slabs, countertops, or finely cut and polished gemstones (Chapter 71), or optical elements made of quartz (Chapter 90), under 2506. The key for 2506 is the 'roughly trimmed or merely cut' clause, indicating minimal processing. Furthermore, other silica-based stones like granite or sandstone (Chapter 25, but different headings, e.g., 2516 for granite) can sometimes be confused, but 2506 is specific to quartz and quartzite.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 2506, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 2506 in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 39% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Brazil $166M 21% of world exports
- 2 China $133M 17% of world exports
- 3 India $122M 16% of world exports
World total: $771M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $507M 39% of world imports
- 2 Japan $131M 10.0% of world imports
- 3 Norway $115M 8.8% of world imports
World total: $1.3B 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.
Questions about HS 25.06
What is HS code 2506?
HS code 2506 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Quartz; (other than natural sands), quartzite, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape. HS Code 2506 covers quartz (other than natural sands) and quartzite, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape. This heading is crucial for distinguishing raw, unworked or minimally processed quartz and quartzite from both natural sands (covered by 2505) and highly refined or manufactured quartz products. The scope includes natural quartz in its various forms, such as lumps, crushed material, or natural crystals, provided they are not gem-quality or otherwise worked beyond simple trimming or cutting into basic block/slab shapes. Quartzite, a metamorphic rock composed primarily of quartz, is also included under the same conditions. This classification is vital for trade compliance as it separates raw industrial minerals from dimension stone (which is more extensively worked and often classified under Chapter 68) and precious stones (Chapter 71). The 'roughly trimmed or merely cut' clause is key, indicating minimal processing intended for further manufacturing, not for final architectural or decorative use. Quartz and quartzite are fundamental raw materials for industries like ceramics, glass, abrasives, and metallurgy, as well as for high-purity applications when subsequently processed. Its placement in Chapter 25, 'Salt; Sulphur; Earths and Stone; Plastering Materials, Lime and Cement,' reflects its identity as a basic, naturally occurring mineral or rock.
What products fall under HS code 2506?
Raw quartz lumps, natural quartzite blocks, crushed quartz for industrial use, unworked quartz crystals (non-gemstone), roughly trimmed quartz, quartzite slabs (rectangular/square), quartz pebbles, natural silica rock (non-sand), quartz gravel (larger than sand), unprocessed quartzite, industrial quartz (raw), natural quartz powder (coarse), quartz for ferrosilicon production, quartzite for refractory applications, raw electrical grade quartz.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 2506?
A common misclassification for 2506 is confusing it with natural sands (2505), particularly quartz sand. The distinction lies in particle size and intended use: 2506 covers larger, lump, or block forms of quartz/quartzite, not granular sand. Another error is classifying worked quartz, such as polished slabs, countertops, or finely cut and polished gemstones (Chapter 71), or optical elements made of quartz (Chapter 90), under 2506. The key for 2506 is the 'roughly trimmed or merely cut' clause, indicating minimal processing. Furthermore, other silica-based stones like granite or sandstone (Chapter 25, but different headings, e.g., 2516 for granite) can sometimes be confused, but 2506 is specific to quartz and quartzite.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 2506?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2506 in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($166M, 21% of world exports), China ($133M) and India ($122M). World exports came to about $771M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 2506?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2506 in UN Comtrade data were China ($507M, 39% of world imports), Japan ($131M) and Norway ($115M). World imports came to about $1.3B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 2506 structured?
HS code 2506 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 25 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (25) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (06) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.