HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2528.00 – Natural borates and concentrates thereof (whether or not calcined), but not including borates separated from natural brine; natural boric acid containing not more than 85 % of H3BO3 calculated on the dry weight
HS code 2528.00 is the 6-digit subheading for natural borates and concentrates thereof (whether or not calcined), but not including borates separated from natural brine, natural boric acid containing not more than 85 % of H3BO3 calculated on the dry weight. It is used for borax ore, colemanite, ulexite, boric acid (natural, <85%) and borate concentrates.
What HS 2528.00 covers
This HS code covers natural borates and their concentrates, including natural boric acid with a purity of up to 85% H3BO3, excluding borates derived from natural brine. These minerals are vital raw materials for a wide array of industrial applications, primarily in the production of glass (especially borosilicate glass), ceramics, detergents, and agricultural fertilizers. Countries with substantial natural borate deposits, such as Turkey and the United States, are the primary exporters. Major importers include industrial powerhouses like China, Japan, and various European nations, which rely on these borates for their manufacturing processes. Key considerations in this trade involve the specific mineral composition, concentration levels, and the form (e.g., lumps, granular, calcined) in which the borates are traded, as these factors dictate their end-use and market value.
- Covers
- Borax ore
- Colemanite
- Ulexite
- Boric acid (natural, <85%)
- Borate concentrates
- Tincal
- Examples
- Rio Tinto Borates
- Eti Maden (Turkey) borates
- US Borax products
- Borax Consolidated minerals
Codes often confused with 2528.00
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 2840 (refined borates or boric acid >85%) if the processing or purity level is not carefully checked, as the distinction lies in the natural origin and purity threshold.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 252800, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 252800 in UN Comtrade data was Türkiye, with 55% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 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 Türkiye $242M 55% of world exports
- 2 Bolivia $90M 20% of world exports
- 3 Argentina $39M 8.9% of world exports
World total: $438M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $136M 27% of world imports
- 2 Brazil $118M 23% of world imports
- 3 India $36M 7.1% of world imports
World total: $513M 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 2528.00
Brazil does not split HS 2528.00: its NCM code is 2528.00.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 25.28 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2528.00
What is HS code 252800?
HS code 252800 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Natural borates and concentrates thereof (whether or not calcined), but not including borates separated from natural brine; natural boric acid containing not more than 85 % of H3BO3 calculated on the dry weight. This HS code covers natural borates and their concentrates, including natural boric acid with a purity of up to 85% H3BO3, excluding borates derived from natural brine. These minerals are vital raw materials for a wide array of industrial applications, primarily in the production of glass (especially borosilicate glass), ceramics, detergents, and agricultural fertilizers. Countries with substantial natural borate deposits, such as Turkey and the United States, are the primary exporters. Major importers include industrial powerhouses like China, Japan, and various European nations, which rely on these borates for their manufacturing processes. Key considerations in this trade involve the specific mineral composition, concentration levels, and the form (e.g., lumps, granular, calcined) in which the borates are traded, as these factors dictate their end-use and market value.
What products fall under HS code 252800?
Borax ore, Colemanite, Ulexite, Boric acid (natural, <85%), Borate concentrates, Tincal
What are common misclassifications for HS code 252800?
This code can be confused with 2840 (refined borates or boric acid >85%) if the processing or purity level is not carefully checked, as the distinction lies in the natural origin and purity threshold.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 252800?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 252800 in UN Comtrade data were Türkiye ($242M, 55% of world exports), Bolivia ($90M) and Argentina ($39M). World exports came to about $438M, 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 252800?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 252800 in UN Comtrade data were China ($136M, 27% of world imports), Brazil ($118M) and India ($36M). World imports came to about $513M, 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 252800 structured?
HS code 252800 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (25) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (28) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 252800?
In Brazil, HS code 252800 is NCM 2528.00.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.