HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 2516.90 – Monumental or building stone; n.e.c. in heading no. 2516, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape

HS code 2516.90 is the 6-digit subheading for monumental or building stone, n.e.c. in heading no. 2516, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape. It is used for porphyry blocks, basalt slabs, quartzite building stone, slate blocks (for building) and serpentine slabs.

What HS 2516.90 covers

This 'not elsewhere specified' (NES) code within heading 2516 covers various other monumental or building stones, such as porphyry, basalt, quartzite, or slate, in their raw (roughly trimmed) or initially cut (rectangular blocks/slabs) forms. These stones are selected for specific aesthetic, structural, or durability requirements in diverse applications, including high-traffic paving, specialized architectural features, and monumental works. Importers are often specialized construction companies, architects, and stone fabricators seeking unique or high-performance materials not covered by the more common granite, marble, or sandstone categories. Exporters are countries with diverse geological resources and the infrastructure to quarry and process these less common but equally valuable building stones, catering to niche markets and specialized architectural projects globally.

Covers
  • Porphyry blocks
  • Basalt slabs
  • Quartzite building stone
  • Slate blocks (for building)
  • Serpentine slabs
  • Rough diorite blocks
  • Gabbro cut blocks
Examples
  • Italian Porphyry paving blocks
  • Icelandic Basalt columns
  • Brazilian Quartzite slabs
  • Welsh Slate building blocks
  • Norwegian Larvikite blocks

Codes often confused with 2516.90

Common mistake. This code is a residual category for stones not covered by 2515 (marble, alabaster) or specific granite/sandstone codes (251611, 251612, 251620); it's crucial to ensure the stone isn't already classified elsewhere.

25.15Marble, travertine, ecaussine and other calcareous stone; of an apparent specific gravity of less than 2.5, alabaster, whether cut by sawing etc, into blocks, slabs of a rectangular (square) shape2516.11Granite; crude or roughly trimmed2516.12Granite; merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape2516.20Sandstone;. whether or not roughly trimmed, cut, by sawing etc, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape

Top exporters and importers of HS code 251690, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 251690 in UN Comtrade data was India, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Bangladesh, with about 27% 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 India $64M
  2. 2 Norway $51M
  3. 3 Bhutan $31M

World total: $263M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Bangladesh* ~$61M
  2. 2 Netherlands $23M
  3. 3 China $22M

World total: $227M 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 2516.90

Brazil does not split HS 2516.90: its NCM code is 2516.90.00.

  1. 2516.90.00 Other monumental or building stoneOutras pedras de cantaria ou de construção

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 25.16 →

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

Questions about HS 2516.90

What is HS code 251690?

HS code 251690 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Monumental or building stone; n.e.c. in heading no. 2516, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape. This 'not elsewhere specified' (NES) code within heading 2516 covers various other monumental or building stones, such as porphyry, basalt, quartzite, or slate, in their raw (roughly trimmed) or initially cut (rectangular blocks/slabs) forms. These stones are selected for specific aesthetic, structural, or durability requirements in diverse applications, including high-traffic paving, specialized architectural features, and monumental works. Importers are often specialized construction companies, architects, and stone fabricators seeking unique or high-performance materials not covered by the more common granite, marble, or sandstone categories. Exporters are countries with diverse geological resources and the infrastructure to quarry and process these less common but equally valuable building stones, catering to niche markets and specialized architectural projects globally.

What products fall under HS code 251690?

Porphyry blocks, basalt slabs, quartzite building stone, slate blocks (for building), serpentine slabs, rough diorite blocks, gabbro cut blocks

What are common misclassifications for HS code 251690?

This code is a residual category for stones not covered by 2515 (marble, alabaster) or specific granite/sandstone codes (251611, 251612, 251620); it's crucial to ensure the stone isn't already classified elsewhere.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 251690?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 251690 in UN Comtrade data were India ($64M, 25% of world exports), Norway ($51M) and Bhutan ($31M). World exports came to about $263M, 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 251690?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 251690 in UN Comtrade data were Bangladesh (about $61M, 27% of world imports), the Netherlands ($23M) and China ($22M). World imports came to about $227M, 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 251690 structured?

HS code 251690 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (25) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (16) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 251690?

In Brazil, HS code 251690 is NCM 2516.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.