HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2506.10 – Quartz; other than natural sands
HS code 2506.10 is the 6-digit subheading for quartz, other than natural sands. It is used for quartz crystals, high-purity quartz, fused quartz, ground quartz and quartz powder.
What HS 2506.10 covers
This HS code covers natural quartz, excluding natural sands, which is a critical raw material in numerous high-tech and industrial applications. Its unique piezoelectric properties make it essential for electronics, while its hardness and chemical inertness are valued in optics, ceramics, and abrasives. International trade in quartz involves a global network where countries with significant mineral deposits, such as Brazil, Russia, and India, act as primary exporters. Major importers are typically manufacturing powerhouses like China, the USA, and Japan, which process raw quartz into components for semiconductors, optical fibers, and specialized glass. Key considerations in trade include the purity of the quartz, its crystal size, and whether it's traded as raw lumps, ground powder, or fused silica, all impacting its end-use and value.
- Covers
- Quartz crystals
- High-purity quartz
- Fused quartz
- Ground quartz
- Quartz powder
- Silicon dioxide
- Piezoelectric quartz
- Optical quartz.
- Examples
- Corning (fused silica)
- Heraeus (quartz glass)
- Momentive (fused quartz)
- Saint-Gobain (quartz products)
- Shin-Etsu Quartz.
Codes often confused with 2506.10
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 250510 (silica sands) if the quartz is in a granular form, but 250610 typically implies higher purity or specific crystalline structures. It might also be mistaken for 7103 (precious stones) if the quartz is of gem quality.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 250610, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 250610 in UN Comtrade data was India, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 40% 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 India $111M 22% of world exports
- 2 China $107M 22% of world exports
- 3 United States $40M 8.1% of world exports
World total: $495M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $398M 40% of world imports
- 2 Japan $126M 13% of world imports
- 3 Norway $115M 12% of world imports
World total: $987M 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 2506.10
Brazil does not split HS 2506.10: its NCM code is 2506.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 25.06 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2506.10
What is HS code 250610?
HS code 250610 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Quartz; other than natural sands. This HS code covers natural quartz, excluding natural sands, which is a critical raw material in numerous high-tech and industrial applications. Its unique piezoelectric properties make it essential for electronics, while its hardness and chemical inertness are valued in optics, ceramics, and abrasives. International trade in quartz involves a global network where countries with significant mineral deposits, such as Brazil, Russia, and India, act as primary exporters. Major importers are typically manufacturing powerhouses like China, the USA, and Japan, which process raw quartz into components for semiconductors, optical fibers, and specialized glass. Key considerations in trade include the purity of the quartz, its crystal size, and whether it's traded as raw lumps, ground powder, or fused silica, all impacting its end-use and value.
What products fall under HS code 250610?
Quartz crystals, high-purity quartz, fused quartz, ground quartz, quartz powder, silicon dioxide, piezoelectric quartz, optical quartz.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 250610?
This code can be confused with 250510 (silica sands) if the quartz is in a granular form, but 250610 typically implies higher purity or specific crystalline structures. It might also be mistaken for 7103 (precious stones) if the quartz is of gem quality.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 250610?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 250610 in UN Comtrade data were India ($111M, 22% of world exports), China ($107M) and the United States ($40M). World exports came to about $495M, 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 250610?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 250610 in UN Comtrade data were China ($398M, 40% of world imports), Japan ($126M) and Norway ($115M). World imports came to about $987M, 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 250610 structured?
HS code 250610 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (25) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (06) 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 250610?
In Brazil, HS code 250610 is NCM 2506.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.