HS Code 27.14 – Bitumen and asphalt, natural; bituminous or oil shale and tar sands; asphaltites and asphaltic rocks

HS code 2714 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Bitumen and asphalt, natural; bituminous or oil shale and tar sands; asphaltites and asphaltic rocks. Heading 2714 is dedicated to naturally occurring forms of bitumen and asphalt, along with their source materials. This includes natural bitumen and asphalt, bituminous or oil shale, tar sands, asphaltites, and asphaltic rocks. The key characteristic is their natural origin, distinguishing them from petroleum-derived products (HS 2713) and manufactured bituminous mixtures (HS 2715). This heading covers these substances in their unprocessed or minimally processed states, as they are extracted directly from the earth. Sub-categories include specific natural varieties like gilsonite, glance pitch, and grahamite, as well as the raw geological formations such as oil shale and tar sands that contain extractable hydrocarbons. This classification is significant for trade compliance as it affects duties on raw materials versus more processed forms, and it often involves specific environmental regulations pertaining to extraction and handling of these natural resources. Historically, natural asphalt has been utilized for sealing and construction since ancient times, while vast reserves in oil sands represent a substantial, albeit environmentally complex, energy source. The inclusion of these materials within Chapter 27, which covers mineral fuels and bituminous substances, underscores their fundamental role as natural mineral products and potential energy sources.

Natural asphalt, Trinidad Lake asphalt, natural bitumen, gilsonite, glance pitch, grahamite, oil shale, tar sands, bituminous sands, asphaltic rocks, natural rock asphalt, natural mineral tar, crude natural bitumen, natural asphalt mastic (raw form), shale oil (in crude form from shale), tar sand bitumen, natural mineral wax (if primarily asphaltic), natural petroleum asphalt, natural oil sands, natural asphalt blocks, natural asphalt powder, natural asphalt granules, native asphalt, bitumen rock.

Misclassification under HS 2714 often stems from confusing natural bituminous substances with their petroleum-derived or manufactured counterparts. A primary error is classifying petroleum bitumen, a refinery residue, under 2714; petroleum bitumen belongs in 2713, as 2714 is exclusively for naturally occurring forms. Similarly, prepared bituminous mixtures, such as asphalt concrete or roofing compounds, which are manufactured from bitumen and other materials, should not be classified here, but rather under 2715. Another potential confusion arises with crude petroleum oils (2709); while oil shale and tar sands contain hydrocarbons, 2714 covers the raw geological materials *containing* the bitumen or oil, not the extracted, liquid crude oil itself. The distinction lies in the natural, unprocessed state of the material.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2714 in UN Comtrade data were the United Arab Emirates (about $30M, 17% of world exports), the United States ($29M) and Iraq (about $26M). World exports came to about $184M, 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 2714 in UN Comtrade data were the Philippines ($62M, 14% of world imports), Uruguay ($43M) and the United States ($36M). World imports came to about $431M, 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 2714 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 27 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (27) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (14) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.