HS Code 26.06 – Aluminium ores and concentrates

HS code 2606 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Aluminium ores and concentrates. Heading 2606 covers "Aluminium ores and concentrates," primarily referring to bauxite, the principal ore from which alumina and subsequently aluminum metal are produced. This classification encompasses various forms of bauxite, including gibbsite, boehmite, and diaspore, which are naturally occurring hydrated aluminum oxides. The scope extends from raw, uncrushed bauxite ore to concentrates that have undergone initial physical processing such as washing, crushing, drying, or screening to remove impurities and increase the aluminum oxide content. This heading explicitly excludes alumina (aluminum oxide, HS 2818), which is the refined intermediate product, and aluminum metal (Chapter 76). Key sub-categories often reflect the bauxite's intended use, such as metallurgical grade, refractory grade, or chemical grade. For trade compliance professionals, accurate classification under 2606 is crucial due to the sheer volume of bauxite traded globally and its strategic importance in the aluminum supply chain, impacting duties, quotas, and environmental regulations. Historically, the discovery and exploitation of bauxite reserves have been pivotal for industrial development, and its trade remains central to global manufacturing. This heading forms a cornerstone of Chapter 26, representing the fundamental raw material for one of the world's most widely used metals.

Bauxite ore, calcined bauxite, dried bauxite, washed bauxite, crushed bauxite, screened bauxite, run-of-mine bauxite, beneficiated bauxite, metallurgical grade bauxite, refractory grade bauxite, chemical grade bauxite, abrasive grade bauxite, lateritic bauxite, gibbsitic bauxite, boehmitic bauxite, diasporic bauxite, bauxite concentrates, raw bauxite, high-grade bauxite, low-grade bauxite, bauxite fines, bauxite lumps, bauxite pebbles, bauxite grits, bauxite powder

A frequent misclassification under HS 2606 involves confusing bauxite (aluminum ore) with alumina (aluminum oxide, HS 2818). Bauxite is the raw mineral, while alumina is a refined white powder produced by the Bayer process from bauxite, representing a significant chemical transformation. Another common error is classifying aluminum hydroxide (HS 2818) or aluminum slag (HS 2620) under 2606. Aluminum hydroxide is a chemical compound, and slag is a waste by-product, neither being the primary ore. The key distinction for 2606 is that the product is a naturally occurring mineral aggregate, even if physically processed (crushed, washed), still requiring chemical extraction to yield alumina.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2606 in UN Comtrade data were Guinea (about $13.0B, 77% of world exports), Australia ($2.3B) and Guyana (about $316M). World exports came to about $16.7B, 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.

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2606 in UN Comtrade data were China ($15.8B, 89% of world imports), India ($464M) and Ireland ($304M). World imports came to about $17.9B, 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.

HS code 2606 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 26 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (26) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (06) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.