HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 2509.00 – Chalk

HS code 2509.00 is the 6-digit subheading for chalk. It is used for natural chalk, ground chalk, precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC - derived from chalk), agricultural chalk and whiting.

What HS 2509.00 covers

This HS code covers natural chalk, a soft, porous form of limestone primarily composed of calcium carbonate. Traded globally, chalk is a versatile industrial mineral with a wide array of applications. It serves as an essential filler in plastics, rubber, and paints, acting as a pigment extender and improving material properties. In agriculture, it's used for soil conditioning and pH adjustment. Additionally, it's a key raw material in the production of cement and lime. Its natural whiteness, fine particle size, and low abrasiveness are highly valued. Importers range from agricultural sectors to diverse manufacturing industries, while exporters are countries with significant chalk deposits, such as France, the UK, and Belgium. Trade often involves different grades based on purity, particle size, and specific industrial requirements.

Covers
  • Natural chalk
  • Ground chalk
  • Precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC - derived from chalk)
  • Agricultural chalk
  • Whiting
  • Industrial filler chalk
  • Feed-grade chalk
  • Cement-grade chalk.
Examples
  • Omya (calcium carbonate products)
  • Imerys (calcium carbonate)
  • Carmeuse (lime and chalk products)
  • Mississippi Lime Company
  • Sibelco.

Codes often confused with 2509.00

Common mistake. Can be confused with other forms of calcium carbonate like limestone (252100) or marble (251511) if not specifically identified by its geological formation and properties, or with prepared writing chalk (960990).

2521.00Limestone flux; limestone and other calcareous stone, of a kind used for the manufacture of lime or cement2515.11Marble and travertine; having a specific gravity of 2.5 or more, crude or roughly trimmed by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape9609.90Pastels, drawing charcoals, writing or drawing chalks, tailors' chalk

Top exporters and importers of HS code 250900, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 250900 in UN Comtrade data was France, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Belgium, with 19% 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. 1 France $30M
  2. 2 Germany $12M
  3. 3 Jordan* ~$8.8M

World total: $103M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Belgium $25M
  2. 2 Germany $19M
  3. 3 Netherlands $18M

World total: $137M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 2509.00

Brazil does not split HS 2509.00: its NCM code is 2509.00.00.

  1. 2509.00.00 Natural chalkCré.

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 25.09 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 2509.00

What is HS code 250900?

HS code 250900 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Chalk. This HS code covers natural chalk, a soft, porous form of limestone primarily composed of calcium carbonate. Traded globally, chalk is a versatile industrial mineral with a wide array of applications. It serves as an essential filler in plastics, rubber, and paints, acting as a pigment extender and improving material properties. In agriculture, it's used for soil conditioning and pH adjustment. Additionally, it's a key raw material in the production of cement and lime. Its natural whiteness, fine particle size, and low abrasiveness are highly valued. Importers range from agricultural sectors to diverse manufacturing industries, while exporters are countries with significant chalk deposits, such as France, the UK, and Belgium. Trade often involves different grades based on purity, particle size, and specific industrial requirements.

What products fall under HS code 250900?

Natural chalk, ground chalk, precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC - derived from chalk), agricultural chalk, whiting, industrial filler chalk, feed-grade chalk, cement-grade chalk.

What are common misclassifications for HS code 250900?

Can be confused with other forms of calcium carbonate like limestone (252100) or marble (251511) if not specifically identified by its geological formation and properties, or with prepared writing chalk (960990).

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 250900?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 250900 in UN Comtrade data were France ($30M, 29% of world exports), Germany ($12M) and Jordan (about $8.8M). World exports came to about $103M, 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 250900?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 250900 in UN Comtrade data were Belgium ($25M, 19% of world imports), Germany ($19M) and the Netherlands ($18M). World imports came to about $137M, 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 250900 structured?

HS code 250900 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (25) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (09) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 250900?

In Brazil, HS code 250900 is NCM 2509.00.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.