HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2517.20 – Macadam of slag, dross or similar industrial waste; whether or not incorporating the materials in Tariff item 2517.10.00
HS code 2517.20 is the 6-digit subheading for macadam of slag, dross or similar industrial waste, whether or not incorporating the materials in Tariff item 2517.10.00. It is used for slag macadam, dross road base, recycled aggregate macadam, steel slag ballast and blast furnace slag aggregate.
What HS 2517.20 covers
This code specifically covers macadam made from industrial waste products such as slag, dross, or similar materials, which may or may not be combined with natural aggregates from 251710. This category represents a sustainable and economically viable approach to sourcing construction materials, particularly for road building and other civil engineering applications. The utilization of industrial by-products helps reduce landfill waste and conserves natural resources. Importers are often construction companies and public works departments seeking cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to virgin aggregates. Exporters are typically industrialized nations with significant metallurgical or other heavy industries that generate these waste materials, such as steel-producing countries. The trade is influenced by environmental regulations and the availability of these industrial by-products.
- Covers
- Slag macadam
- Dross road base
- Recycled aggregate macadam
- Steel slag ballast
- Blast furnace slag aggregate
- Mixed industrial waste macadam
- Foundry sand macadam
- Examples
- Basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag macadam
- electric arc furnace (EAF) slag aggregate
- granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) road material
- recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) macadam
Codes often confused with 2517.20
Common mistake. This is specifically for macadam from industrial waste, differentiating it from 251710 (natural aggregates) and 251730 (tarred macadam); the key is the origin from industrial waste.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 251720, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 251720 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 28% 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 $11M 25% of world exports
- 2 Canada $9.7M 22% of world exports
- 3 United States $6.3M 14% of world exports
World total: $44M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $9.7M 28% of world imports
- 2 Belgium $4.4M 13% of world imports
- 3 Oman $3.9M 12% of world imports
World total: $34M 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 2517.20
Brazil does not split HS 2517.20: its NCM code is 2517.20.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 25.17 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2517.20
What is HS code 251720?
HS code 251720 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Macadam of slag, dross or similar industrial waste; whether or not incorporating the materials in Tariff item 2517.10.00. This code specifically covers macadam made from industrial waste products such as slag, dross, or similar materials, which may or may not be combined with natural aggregates from 251710. This category represents a sustainable and economically viable approach to sourcing construction materials, particularly for road building and other civil engineering applications. The utilization of industrial by-products helps reduce landfill waste and conserves natural resources. Importers are often construction companies and public works departments seeking cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to virgin aggregates. Exporters are typically industrialized nations with significant metallurgical or other heavy industries that generate these waste materials, such as steel-producing countries. The trade is influenced by environmental regulations and the availability of these industrial by-products.
What products fall under HS code 251720?
Slag macadam, dross road base, recycled aggregate macadam, steel slag ballast, blast furnace slag aggregate, mixed industrial waste macadam, foundry sand macadam
What are common misclassifications for HS code 251720?
This is specifically for macadam from industrial waste, differentiating it from 251710 (natural aggregates) and 251730 (tarred macadam); the key is the origin from industrial waste.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 251720?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 251720 in UN Comtrade data were China ($11M, 25% of world exports), Canada ($9.7M) and the United States ($6.3M). World exports came to about $44M, 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 251720?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 251720 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($9.7M, 28% of world imports), Belgium ($4.4M) and Oman ($3.9M). World imports came to about $34M, 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 251720 structured?
HS code 251720 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (25) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (17) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 251720?
In Brazil, HS code 251720 is NCM 2517.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.