HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2526.20 – Steatite; natural, crushed, powdered, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape; talc
HS code 2526.20 is the 6-digit subheading for steatite, natural, crushed, powdered, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape, talc. It is used for talcum powder, cosmetic talc, industrial talc filler, pharmaceutical grade talc and paint extender talc.
What HS 2526.20 covers
This category covers natural steatite and talc that has been crushed or powdered, representing a more processed form of the mineral compared to its raw state. These finely ground materials are extensively traded globally due to their versatile applications as fillers, extenders, and lubricants. Key industries importing these powders include cosmetics, plastics, paints, paper, and pharmaceuticals, where talc's unique properties enhance product performance. Exporters are typically countries with significant talc reserves and processing capabilities, such as China, India, and the United States. Understanding the specific particle size, purity, and surface treatment is crucial in this trade, as these factors dictate the material's suitability for different industrial uses and impact its market value. The global demand is driven by manufacturing growth across diverse sectors.
- Covers
- Talcum powder
- Cosmetic talc
- Industrial talc filler
- Pharmaceutical grade talc
- Paint extender talc
- Paper coating talc
- Ceramic body talc
- Examples
- Imerys Talc
- Luzenac Talc
- Mondo Minerals Talc
- Johnson's Baby Powder (talc component)
Codes often confused with 2526.20
Common mistake. This code is frequently confused with 252610 (uncrushed talc) due to the shared raw material, but the key differentiator is the crushed or powdered state. It might also be misclassified under 3824 if it's a prepared mixture containing talc.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 252620, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 252620 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 13% 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 $120M 14% of world exports
- 2 France $99M 12% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $93M 11% of world exports
World total: $833M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $120M 13% of world imports
- 2 United States $67M 7.4% of world imports
- 3 Japan $58M 6.5% of world imports
World total: $896M 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 2526.20
Brazil does not split HS 2526.20: its NCM code is 2526.20.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 25.26 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2526.20
What is HS code 252620?
HS code 252620 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Steatite; natural, crushed, powdered, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape; talc. This category covers natural steatite and talc that has been crushed or powdered, representing a more processed form of the mineral compared to its raw state. These finely ground materials are extensively traded globally due to their versatile applications as fillers, extenders, and lubricants. Key industries importing these powders include cosmetics, plastics, paints, paper, and pharmaceuticals, where talc's unique properties enhance product performance. Exporters are typically countries with significant talc reserves and processing capabilities, such as China, India, and the United States. Understanding the specific particle size, purity, and surface treatment is crucial in this trade, as these factors dictate the material's suitability for different industrial uses and impact its market value. The global demand is driven by manufacturing growth across diverse sectors.
What products fall under HS code 252620?
Talcum powder, Cosmetic talc, Industrial talc filler, Pharmaceutical grade talc, Paint extender talc, Paper coating talc, Ceramic body talc
What are common misclassifications for HS code 252620?
This code is frequently confused with 252610 (uncrushed talc) due to the shared raw material, but the key differentiator is the crushed or powdered state. It might also be misclassified under 3824 if it's a prepared mixture containing talc.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 252620?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 252620 in UN Comtrade data were China ($120M, 14% of world exports), France ($99M) and the Netherlands ($93M). World exports came to about $833M, 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 252620?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 252620 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($120M, 13% of world imports), the United States ($67M) and Japan ($58M). World imports came to about $896M, 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 252620 structured?
HS code 252620 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (25) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (26) 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 252620?
In Brazil, HS code 252620 is NCM 2526.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.