HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2508.10 – Clays (excluding expanded clays of heading no. 6806); bentonite, whether or not calcined
HS code 2508.10 is the 6-digit subheading for clays (excluding expanded clays of heading no. 6806), bentonite, whether or not calcined. It is used for sodium bentonite, calcium bentonite, activated bentonite, drilling bentonite and foundry bentonite.
What HS 2508.10 covers
This HS code covers bentonite clays, whether or not calcined, excluding expanded clays. Bentonite is a highly absorbent clay known for its remarkable swelling and thixotropic properties, making it a critical material across a diverse range of industries. Its primary uses include drilling muds for oil and gas exploration, as a binder in foundry sands, in civil engineering for sealing and grouting, and famously as cat litter. The unique ability of bentonite to absorb large quantities of water and form a viscous gel drives its global demand. Importers are varied, from the energy sector to pet care and construction, while exporters are countries with significant bentonite reserves, such as the USA, China, and Greece. Trade often hinges on the specific type of bentonite (sodium or calcium) and its purity and swelling capacity.
- Covers
- Sodium bentonite
- Calcium bentonite
- Activated bentonite
- Drilling bentonite
- Foundry bentonite
- Cat litter bentonite
- Bentonite powder
- Pelletized bentonite.
- Examples
- Volclay (AMCOL/Minerals Technologies)
- Bentonite Performance Minerals (BPM)
- Wyo-Ben
- Clariant
- Ashapura Minechem.
Codes often confused with 2508.10
Common mistake. Often confused with other general clays like kaolin (250700) or fuller's earth (250840), but bentonite's distinct swelling and binding properties differentiate it from other clay types.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 250810, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 250810 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 10% 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 United States $176M 20% of world exports
- 2 Türkiye $153M 17% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $105M 12% of world exports
World total: $896M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $130M 10% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $91M 7.3% of world imports
- 3 Canada $60M 4.8% of world imports
World total: $1.2B 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 2508.10
Brazil does not split HS 2508.10: its NCM code is 2508.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 25.08 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2508.10
What is HS code 250810?
HS code 250810 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Clays (excluding expanded clays of heading no. 6806); bentonite, whether or not calcined. This HS code covers bentonite clays, whether or not calcined, excluding expanded clays. Bentonite is a highly absorbent clay known for its remarkable swelling and thixotropic properties, making it a critical material across a diverse range of industries. Its primary uses include drilling muds for oil and gas exploration, as a binder in foundry sands, in civil engineering for sealing and grouting, and famously as cat litter. The unique ability of bentonite to absorb large quantities of water and form a viscous gel drives its global demand. Importers are varied, from the energy sector to pet care and construction, while exporters are countries with significant bentonite reserves, such as the USA, China, and Greece. Trade often hinges on the specific type of bentonite (sodium or calcium) and its purity and swelling capacity.
What products fall under HS code 250810?
Sodium bentonite, calcium bentonite, activated bentonite, drilling bentonite, foundry bentonite, cat litter bentonite, bentonite powder, pelletized bentonite.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 250810?
Often confused with other general clays like kaolin (250700) or fuller's earth (250840), but bentonite's distinct swelling and binding properties differentiate it from other clay types.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 250810?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 250810 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($176M, 20% of world exports), Türkiye ($153M) and the Netherlands ($105M). World exports came to about $896M, 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 250810?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 250810 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($130M, 10% of world imports), the Netherlands ($91M) and Canada ($60M). World imports came to about $1.2B, 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 250810 structured?
HS code 250810 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (25) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) 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 250810?
In Brazil, HS code 250810 is NCM 2508.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.