HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 25.20 – Gypsum; anhydrite; plasters (consisting of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate), coloured or not, with or without small quantities of accelerators or retarders
What HS 25.20 covers
Heading 2520 encompasses gypsum, anhydrite, and various plasters, all critical raw materials primarily for the construction industry. Gypsum, chemically hydrated calcium sulfate, is a soft sulfate mineral widely used. Anhydrite is its anhydrous counterpart, also calcium sulfate. The heading specifically includes 'plasters' consisting of calcined gypsum or calcium sulfate, explicitly allowing for them to be colored or to contain small quantities of accelerators or retarders to control setting times. This scope covers the raw mineral as well as its calcined powder forms, which are the basis for a wide range of plaster products. It excludes highly processed gypsum articles like plasterboard, which fall under different headings. Key sub-categories include raw gypsum rock, crushed anhydrite, plaster of Paris, building plaster, and molding plaster. Accurate classification under 2520 is crucial for trade compliance, affecting tariff rates, import regulations, and adherence to specific building material standards. The historical significance of gypsum dates back to ancient civilizations using it for plaster and mortar. In modern trade, its demand is directly tied to global construction activity, particularly in residential and commercial building. This heading is firmly rooted within Chapter 25, which focuses on non-metallic mineral products in their natural or minimally processed states, serving as fundamental raw materials for downstream manufacturing.
- Covers
- Raw gypsum rock
- Crushed gypsum
- Anhydrite lumps
- Plaster of Paris
- Gypsum plaster powder
- Stucco plaster
- Dental plaster
- Molding plaster
- Casting plaster
- Building plaster
- Agricultural gypsum
- Gypsum for cement production
- Gypsum board core material
- Colored plaster mixes
- Gypsum retarders (pre-mixed with plaster)
- Gypsum accelerators (pre-mixed with plaster)
- Ceiling plaster
- Wall plaster
- Floor screed plaster
- Lime-gypsum plaster
- Acoustic plaster
- Fire-resistant plaster
- Fibrous plaster
- Gypsum for chalk production
- Gypsum for sculpture
- Gypsum for medical casts.
- Examples
A large American drywall manufacturer frequently imports raw gypsum rock from Mexico, transported efficiently by rail and bulk vessels across the Gulf of Mexico, to serve as the core material for its gypsum board production. In another scenario, a European art restoration firm might source specialized, fine-grade molding plaster from Italy for intricate historical restoration projects, typically shipped via air freight or less-than-container-load (LCL) sea freight. An Indian cement producer regularly imports anhydrite from Oman as a crucial additive to control the setting time of its cement, with bulk cargo ships traversing the Arabian Sea. Furthermore, an Australian building materials supplier might import pre-mixed gypsum plaster, specifically formulated with retarders for extended workability, from Thailand, delivered in containerized shipments.
Subheadings under 25.20 2
Codes often confused with 25.20
Common mistake. Common misclassification mistakes for 2520 often involve confusing the raw or calcined material with manufactured articles or chemically pure compounds. A frequent error is classifying finished gypsum articles, such as gypsum board or decorative plaster moldings, under 2520; these products fall under 6809. The distinction lies in the level of processing beyond simple calcination and the formation into a specific article. Another potential confusion arises with chemically pure calcium sulfate (2833), whereas 2520 covers natural gypsum or calcined gypsum that may contain impurities or small additives. Similarly, if gypsum is mixed with binders to form a prepared mastic or sealant, it would be classified under 3214, not 2520, which is limited to the basic plaster material.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 2520, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 2520 in UN Comtrade data was Oman, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 10% of world imports. The United Kingdom reports $611M of its chapter 25 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Oman $198M 14% of world exports
- 2 Germany $172M 12% of world exports
- 3 Spain $165M 11% of world exports
World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $207M 10% of world imports
- 2 United States $180M 8.8% of world imports
- 3 Nigeria $110M 5.4% of world imports
The United Kingdom reports $611M of its chapter 25 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $2.0B 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.
Questions about HS 25.20
What is HS code 2520?
HS code 2520 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Gypsum; anhydrite; plasters (consisting of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate), coloured or not, with or without small quantities of accelerators or retarders. Heading 2520 encompasses gypsum, anhydrite, and various plasters, all critical raw materials primarily for the construction industry. Gypsum, chemically hydrated calcium sulfate, is a soft sulfate mineral widely used. Anhydrite is its anhydrous counterpart, also calcium sulfate. The heading specifically includes 'plasters' consisting of calcined gypsum or calcium sulfate, explicitly allowing for them to be colored or to contain small quantities of accelerators or retarders to control setting times. This scope covers the raw mineral as well as its calcined powder forms, which are the basis for a wide range of plaster products. It excludes highly processed gypsum articles like plasterboard, which fall under different headings. Key sub-categories include raw gypsum rock, crushed anhydrite, plaster of Paris, building plaster, and molding plaster. Accurate classification under 2520 is crucial for trade compliance, affecting tariff rates, import regulations, and adherence to specific building material standards. The historical significance of gypsum dates back to ancient civilizations using it for plaster and mortar. In modern trade, its demand is directly tied to global construction activity, particularly in residential and commercial building. This heading is firmly rooted within Chapter 25, which focuses on non-metallic mineral products in their natural or minimally processed states, serving as fundamental raw materials for downstream manufacturing.
What products fall under HS code 2520?
Raw gypsum rock, crushed gypsum, anhydrite lumps, plaster of Paris, gypsum plaster powder, stucco plaster, dental plaster, molding plaster, casting plaster, building plaster, agricultural gypsum, gypsum for cement production, gypsum board core material, colored plaster mixes, gypsum retarders (pre-mixed with plaster), gypsum accelerators (pre-mixed with plaster), ceiling plaster, wall plaster, floor screed plaster, lime-gypsum plaster, acoustic plaster, fire-resistant plaster, fibrous plaster, gypsum for chalk production, gypsum for sculpture, gypsum for medical casts.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 2520?
Common misclassification mistakes for 2520 often involve confusing the raw or calcined material with manufactured articles or chemically pure compounds. A frequent error is classifying finished gypsum articles, such as gypsum board or decorative plaster moldings, under 2520; these products fall under 6809. The distinction lies in the level of processing beyond simple calcination and the formation into a specific article. Another potential confusion arises with chemically pure calcium sulfate (2833), whereas 2520 covers natural gypsum or calcined gypsum that may contain impurities or small additives. Similarly, if gypsum is mixed with binders to form a prepared mastic or sealant, it would be classified under 3214, not 2520, which is limited to the basic plaster material.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 2520?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2520 in UN Comtrade data were Oman ($198M, 14% of world exports), Germany ($172M) and Spain ($165M). World exports came to about $1.5B, 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 2520?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2520 in UN Comtrade data were India ($207M, 10% of world imports), the United States ($180M) and Nigeria ($110M). World imports came to about $2.0B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). The United Kingdom reports $611M of its chapter 25 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
How is HS code 2520 structured?
HS code 2520 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 25 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (25) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (20) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.