HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2508.60 – Clays (excluding expanded clays of heading no. 6806); mullite
HS code 2508.60 is the 6-digit subheading for clays (excluding expanded clays of heading no. 6806), mullite. It is used for fused mullite, sintered mullite, tabular mullite, calcined mullite and mullite aggregates.
What HS 2508.60 covers
Mullite, whether or not calcined, excluding expanded clays, is classified under this HS code. Mullite is a highly prized synthetic or naturally occurring refractory mineral, formed by heating aluminosilicate minerals to high temperatures. It possesses an exceptional combination of properties, including high-temperature strength, excellent thermal shock resistance, low thermal expansion, and chemical stability, making it indispensable in advanced refractory applications, high-performance ceramics, and electronic substrates. Importers are typically high-tech manufacturing and heavy industries in countries like China, Japan, and Germany, seeking its superior performance characteristics for demanding environments. Exporters are often countries with the raw materials and sophisticated processing capabilities to produce high-purity mullite, such as China, the USA, and France. Trade focuses on the form (fused, sintered, tabular) and purity of the mullite.
- Covers
- Fused mullite
- Sintered mullite
- Tabular mullite
- Calcined mullite
- Mullite aggregates
- Mullite powder
- Mullite grains
- Mullite bricks.
- Examples
- Imerys Refractory Minerals (fused mullite)
- Saint-Gobain ZirPro (sintered mullite)
- Almatis (tabular alumina/mullite)
- Denka
- Washington Mills.
Codes often confused with 2508.60
Common mistake. Frequently confused with its precursor minerals like kyanite, andalusite, or sillimanite (250850), or other high-alumina refractory materials, but mullite is a distinct, processed mineral phase with specific properties.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 250860, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 250860 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 31% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Poland, with 21% 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 China $20M 31% of world exports
- 2 Germany $14M 20% of world exports
- 3 Hungary $10M 16% of world exports
World total: $67M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Poland $30M 21% of world imports
- 2 Germany $19M 14% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $15M 10% of world imports
World total: $143M 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 2508.60
Brazil does not split HS 2508.60: its NCM code is 2508.60.00.
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 2508.60
What is HS code 250860?
HS code 250860 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Clays (excluding expanded clays of heading no. 6806); mullite. Mullite, whether or not calcined, excluding expanded clays, is classified under this HS code. Mullite is a highly prized synthetic or naturally occurring refractory mineral, formed by heating aluminosilicate minerals to high temperatures. It possesses an exceptional combination of properties, including high-temperature strength, excellent thermal shock resistance, low thermal expansion, and chemical stability, making it indispensable in advanced refractory applications, high-performance ceramics, and electronic substrates. Importers are typically high-tech manufacturing and heavy industries in countries like China, Japan, and Germany, seeking its superior performance characteristics for demanding environments. Exporters are often countries with the raw materials and sophisticated processing capabilities to produce high-purity mullite, such as China, the USA, and France. Trade focuses on the form (fused, sintered, tabular) and purity of the mullite.
What products fall under HS code 250860?
Fused mullite, sintered mullite, tabular mullite, calcined mullite, mullite aggregates, mullite powder, mullite grains, mullite bricks.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 250860?
Frequently confused with its precursor minerals like kyanite, andalusite, or sillimanite (250850), or other high-alumina refractory materials, but mullite is a distinct, processed mineral phase with specific properties.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 250860?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 250860 in UN Comtrade data were China ($20M, 31% of world exports), Germany ($14M) and Hungary ($10M). World exports came to about $67M, 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 250860?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 250860 in UN Comtrade data were Poland ($30M, 21% of world imports), Germany ($19M) and South Korea ($15M). World imports came to about $143M, 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 250860 structured?
HS code 250860 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 (60) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 250860?
In Brazil, HS code 250860 is NCM 2508.60.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.