HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 26.18 – Granulated slag (slag sand) from the manufacture of iron or steel
What HS 26.18 covers
Heading 2618 specifically encompasses "Granulated slag (slag sand) from the manufacture of iron or steel." This classification is crucial for distinguishing a particular form of by-product from the metallurgical industry. Granulated slag, often referred to as slag sand, is produced by rapidly cooling molten blast furnace slag with water or steam, resulting in a glassy, granular material. Its scope is strictly limited to slag originating from iron or steel manufacturing processes and specifically in its granulated form. Key sub-categories are primarily defined by the source furnace (e.g., blast furnace slag) and subsequent processing, such as ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) which is further processed into a fine powder for cementitious applications. This classification matters significantly for trade compliance because granulated slag is a valuable resource, widely used as an aggregate in concrete, a raw material in cement production, a road base material, and for soil stabilization. Its properties make it distinct from other slags, influencing environmental regulations, tariff rates, and end-use applications. Historically, the valorization of granulated slag transformed it from a waste product into a valuable commodity, contributing to circular economy principles. As part of Chapter 26, which covers "Ores, slag and ash," this heading positions granulated slag alongside other mineral products, emphasizing its origin and material composition rather than its final manufactured form.
- Covers
- Ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS)
- Blast furnace slag aggregate
- Slag sand for concrete
- Granulated iron slag
- Granulated steel slag
- Road base material from granulated slag
- Cement additives (granulated slag)
- Lightweight aggregate (granulated slag)
- Filter media (granulated slag)
- Abrasive blasting material (granulated slag)
- Soil stabilization material (granulated slag)
- Mineral filler (granulated slag)
- Pozzolanic material (granulated slag)
- Raw material for clinker production (granulated slag)
- Sand replacement in construction (granulated slag)
- Granulated electric arc furnace slag
- Granulated basic oxygen furnace slag
- Drainage material (granulated slag)
- Insulation material raw input (granulated slag)
- Filler for asphalt mixes (granulated slag)
- Examples
A major Japanese steel producer exports large quantities of ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) to cement manufacturers in Vietnam and the Philippines, where it is used as a supplementary cementitious material in large-scale infrastructure projects. This trade route is vital for sustainable construction in Southeast Asia. Similarly, European steel mills in Germany and Belgium often sell granulated blast furnace slag to construction companies in North African countries like Egypt and Algeria, primarily for road construction and as an aggregate substitute. In North America, US construction firms frequently import granulated slag from Canadian steel plants for use as a high-quality, durable road base material in highway projects across the border.
Subheadings under 26.18 1
Codes often confused with 26.18
Common mistake. A common misclassification error for products under HS 2618 is confusing granulated slag with non-granulated forms, which fall under HS 2619. The key distinction is the rapid cooling process that creates the granular, glassy texture. Another mistake is classifying highly processed granulated slag, such as cement clinkers or finished cement (HS 2523), under 2618; 2618 is for the raw granulated material, not the final cement product. Sometimes, traders might confuse it with other aggregates (HS 2517), but the origin from iron/steel manufacturing and specific granulation process are defining characteristics for 2618.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 2618, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 2618 in UN Comtrade data was South Africa, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United Kingdom, with 14% 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 South Africa $244M 25% of world exports
- 2 Japan $94M 9.8% of world exports
- 3 China $91M 9.4% of world exports
World total: $961M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United Kingdom $180M 14% of world imports
- 2 United States $178M 14% of world imports
- 3 Singapore $85M 6.7% of world imports
World total: $1.3B 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 26.18
What is HS code 2618?
HS code 2618 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Granulated slag (slag sand) from the manufacture of iron or steel. Heading 2618 specifically encompasses "Granulated slag (slag sand) from the manufacture of iron or steel." This classification is crucial for distinguishing a particular form of by-product from the metallurgical industry. Granulated slag, often referred to as slag sand, is produced by rapidly cooling molten blast furnace slag with water or steam, resulting in a glassy, granular material. Its scope is strictly limited to slag originating from iron or steel manufacturing processes and specifically in its granulated form. Key sub-categories are primarily defined by the source furnace (e.g., blast furnace slag) and subsequent processing, such as ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS) which is further processed into a fine powder for cementitious applications. This classification matters significantly for trade compliance because granulated slag is a valuable resource, widely used as an aggregate in concrete, a raw material in cement production, a road base material, and for soil stabilization. Its properties make it distinct from other slags, influencing environmental regulations, tariff rates, and end-use applications. Historically, the valorization of granulated slag transformed it from a waste product into a valuable commodity, contributing to circular economy principles. As part of Chapter 26, which covers "Ores, slag and ash," this heading positions granulated slag alongside other mineral products, emphasizing its origin and material composition rather than its final manufactured form.
What products fall under HS code 2618?
Ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), blast furnace slag aggregate, slag sand for concrete, granulated iron slag, granulated steel slag, road base material from granulated slag, cement additives (granulated slag), lightweight aggregate (granulated slag), filter media (granulated slag), abrasive blasting material (granulated slag), soil stabilization material (granulated slag), mineral filler (granulated slag), pozzolanic material (granulated slag), raw material for clinker production (granulated slag), sand replacement in construction (granulated slag), granulated electric arc furnace slag, granulated basic oxygen furnace slag, drainage material (granulated slag), insulation material raw input (granulated slag), filler for asphalt mixes (granulated slag)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 2618?
A common misclassification error for products under HS 2618 is confusing granulated slag with non-granulated forms, which fall under HS 2619. The key distinction is the rapid cooling process that creates the granular, glassy texture. Another mistake is classifying highly processed granulated slag, such as cement clinkers or finished cement (HS 2523), under 2618; 2618 is for the raw granulated material, not the final cement product. Sometimes, traders might confuse it with other aggregates (HS 2517), but the origin from iron/steel manufacturing and specific granulation process are defining characteristics for 2618.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 2618?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2618 in UN Comtrade data were South Africa ($244M, 25% of world exports), Japan ($94M) and China ($91M). World exports came to about $961M, 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 2618?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2618 in UN Comtrade data were the United Kingdom ($180M, 14% of world imports), the United States ($178M) and Singapore ($85M). World imports came to about $1.3B, 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 2618 structured?
HS code 2618 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 26 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (26) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (18) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.