HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2523.10 – Cement clinkers (whether or not coloured)
HS code 2523.10 is the 6-digit subheading for cement clinkers (whether or not coloured). It is used for portland cement clinker, white cement clinker, grey cement clinker, blast furnace slag clinker and fly ash clinker.
What HS 2523.10 covers
Cement clinkers are an intermediate product in the manufacture of Portland cement, formed by heating limestone and other raw materials in a rotary kiln. This granular material is then ground with gypsum and other additives to produce finished cement. International trade in clinkers is significant, often occurring when countries have abundant raw materials and efficient clinker production but lack sufficient grinding capacity, or vice-versa. Major exporters include nations with large-scale, cost-effective clinker plants, while importers are typically countries with cement grinding facilities but limited access to limestone or energy for clinkerization. Key trade considerations involve bulk shipping logistics, energy costs, and increasingly, carbon emissions regulations like CBAM, which impact the competitiveness of clinker imports.
- Covers
- Portland cement clinker
- White cement clinker
- Grey cement clinker
- Blast furnace slag clinker
- Fly ash clinker
- Examples
- LafargeHolcim clinker
- HeidelbergCement clinker
- Cemex clinker
- UltraTech Cement clinker
Codes often confused with 2523.10
Common mistake. This code covers the unground intermediate product. It can be confused with finished Portland cement (252321, 252329) if not clearly identified as clinker.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 252310, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 252310 in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 10% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Bangladesh, with about 9.6% of world imports. Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 41% of its exports here ($79M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $378M 10% of world exports
- 2 Türkiye $327M 8.8% of world exports
- 3 Egypt $264M 7.1% of world exports
Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 41% of its exports here ($79M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $3.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Bangladesh* ~$405M 9.6% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Ghana $379M 9.0% of world imports
- 3 Côte d'Ivoire $316M 7.5% of world imports
World total: $4.2B 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 2523.10
Brazil does not split HS 2523.10: its NCM code is 2523.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 25.23 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product falls under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Importers to the EU must declare embedded carbon emissions and purchase CBAM certificates.
Questions about HS 2523.10
What is HS code 252310?
HS code 252310 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cement clinkers (whether or not coloured). Cement clinkers are an intermediate product in the manufacture of Portland cement, formed by heating limestone and other raw materials in a rotary kiln. This granular material is then ground with gypsum and other additives to produce finished cement. International trade in clinkers is significant, often occurring when countries have abundant raw materials and efficient clinker production but lack sufficient grinding capacity, or vice-versa. Major exporters include nations with large-scale, cost-effective clinker plants, while importers are typically countries with cement grinding facilities but limited access to limestone or energy for clinkerization. Key trade considerations involve bulk shipping logistics, energy costs, and increasingly, carbon emissions regulations like CBAM, which impact the competitiveness of clinker imports.
What products fall under HS code 252310?
Portland cement clinker, white cement clinker, grey cement clinker, blast furnace slag clinker, fly ash clinker
What are common misclassifications for HS code 252310?
This code covers the unground intermediate product. It can be confused with finished Portland cement (252321, 252329) if not clearly identified as clinker.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 252310?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 252310 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($378M, 10% of world exports), Türkiye ($327M) and Egypt ($264M). World exports came to about $3.7B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 41% of its exports here ($79M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 252310?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 252310 in UN Comtrade data were Bangladesh (about $405M, 9.6% of world imports), Ghana ($379M) and Côte d'Ivoire ($316M). World imports came to about $4.2B, 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 252310 structured?
HS code 252310 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (25) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (23) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 252310?
In Brazil, HS code 252310 is NCM 2523.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.