Product classification
HS code for Alabaster: 2515.20
Ecaussine and other calcareous monumental or building stone, alabaster, having a specific gravity of 2.5 or more.
Classification of alabaster under HS 2515.20
Alabaster is classified under HS code 251520, which specifically designates "Ecaussine and other calcareous monumental or building stone; alabaster, having a specific gravity of 2.5 or more." This classification is precise, identifying alabaster not merely as a mineral, but as a specific type of calcareous stone primarily used for monumental or building purposes. The inclusion of the specific gravity criterion (2.5 or more) is crucial, as it helps to differentiate the denser, more durable forms of alabaster suitable for construction and artistic applications from other, lighter gypsum varieties. This ensures that the classification accurately reflects its commercial and structural utility.
- Covers
- Raw alabaster blocks for carving or construction
- Roughly cut alabaster slabs for architectural applications
- Alabaster in crude form, meeting the specific gravity requirement
- Calcareous monumental stone identified as alabaster
- Also under 2515.20
- Carrara alabaster
- Volterra alabaster
- Belgian Ecaussine limestone
- Egyptian alabaster artifacts
- Spanish alabaster lamps
Codes often confused with 2515.20
Common mistake. Alabaster can be misclassified with other monumental or building stones, such as marble and travertine (HS codes 251511 and 251512), or with general gypsum (HS code 2520). While alabaster is a form of gypsum, its classification under 251520 is distinct because it is specifically recognized as a "monumental or building stone" with a defined specific gravity. General gypsum (2520) typically refers to the raw mineral used for plaster, drywall, or cement production, without the specific aesthetic or structural qualities implied by "monumental or building stone." The specific gravity threshold further refines this distinction, ensuring that only suitable alabaster is classified here.
Top exporters and importers of HS 251520 (the code used for alabaster), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 251520 (the code used for alabaster) in UN Comtrade data was Portugal, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 51% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 251520, not only alabaster.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Portugal $50M 30% of world exports
- 2 Türkiye $18M 11% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $15M 9.2% of world exports
World total: $166M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $65M 51% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $10M 7.9% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $8.3M 6.5% of world imports
World total: $128M 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 alabaster
Brazil classifies alabaster under NCM 2515.20.00: HS 2515.20 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about alabaster
What is the HS code for Alabaster?
The HS code for Alabaster is 251520 (Ecaussine and other calcareous monumental or building stone; alabaster, having a specific gravity of 2.5 or more). The HS code for alabaster, when classified as a calcareous monumental or building stone with a specific gravity of 2.5 or more, is 251520.
How do I classify Alabaster for customs?
Alabaster is classified under HS code 251520 — Ecaussine and other calcareous monumental or building stone; alabaster, having a specific gravity of 2.5 or more. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the significance of the "specific gravity of 2.5 or more" for alabaster classification?
The specific gravity criterion of 2.5 or more is significant because it helps to distinguish the denser, more robust forms of alabaster that are suitable for monumental, sculptural, or building applications. This physical property ensures that the classified material possesses the necessary structural integrity and durability expected of a building stone, differentiating it from lighter, less dense forms of gypsum that might be used for other industrial purposes.
Which countries are the top exporters of alabaster (HS 251520)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 251520 (the code used for alabaster) in UN Comtrade data were Portugal ($50M, 30% of world exports), Türkiye ($18M) and Belgium ($15M). World exports came to about $166M, 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 alabaster (HS 251520)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 251520 (the code used for alabaster) in UN Comtrade data were China ($65M, 51% of world imports), the Netherlands ($10M) and the United Kingdom ($8.3M). World imports came to about $128M, 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.
Is the HS code for Alabaster the same in all countries?
The base HS code 251520 for Alabaster is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for alabaster in Brazil?
In Brazil, alabaster (HS 251520) is classified under NCM 2515.20.00.