Product classification
HS code for Bituminous coal: 2701.12
Coal, bituminous, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomerated.
Classification of bituminous coal under HS 2701.12
Bituminous coal is classified under Harmonized System (HS) code 270112. This code is located within Chapter 27, which covers "Mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; mineral waxes." The specific description for 270112 is "Coal; bituminous, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomerated." This classification precisely defines the type of coal as bituminous, a medium-rank coal with a high heating value. The phrase "whether or not pulverised" indicates that its physical form, whether in lumps or finely ground, does not alter its classification, provided it remains unagglomerated. The critical exclusion "but not agglomerated" is key, distinguishing raw or pulverized bituminous coal from manufactured solid fuels.
- Covers
- Steam coal (bituminous)
- Coking coal (bituminous)
- Thermal bituminous coal
- Pulverised bituminous coal (unagglomerated)
- Run-of-mine bituminous coal
- Washed bituminous coal
- Also under 2701.12
- Glencore thermal coal
- Peabody Energy coking coal
- BHP metallurgical coal
- Arch Resources steam coal
Codes often confused with 2701.12
Common mistake. Common misclassifications for bituminous coal often involve other types of coal or processed coal products. For instance, HS code 270111 covers "Anthracite," which is a higher-rank coal with different characteristics. HS code 270119 is for "Other coal," which includes lignite and sub-bituminous coal, distinct from bituminous coal. A frequent point of confusion arises with HS code 270120, which covers "Briquettes, ovoids and similar solid fuels manufactured from coal; agglomerated." The crucial distinction is the agglomeration process; if bituminous coal has been pressed into briquettes or other shapes, it falls under 270120, not 270112. Similarly, lignite, even if agglomerated, is classified under 2702, not 2701.
Top exporters and importers of HS 270112 (the code used for bituminous coal), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 270112 (the code used for bituminous coal) in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 45% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 26% 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 270112, not only bituminous coal.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Australia $41.4B 45% of world exports
- 2 Russia* ~$11.9B 13% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 United States $9.6B 11% of world exports
World total: $91.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $22.9B 26% of world imports
- 2 Japan $20.8B 24% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $11.8B 13% of world imports
World total: $88.1B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 bituminous coal
Brazil classifies bituminous coal under NCM 2701.12.00: HS 2701.12 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about bituminous coal
What is the HS code for Bituminous coal?
The HS code for Bituminous coal is 270112 (Coal; bituminous, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomerated). The HS code for bituminous coal, whether or not pulverised but not agglomerated, is 270112. This code is specific to this particular rank of coal in its raw or pulverized form.
How do I classify Bituminous coal for customs?
Bituminous coal is classified under HS code 270112 — Coal; bituminous, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomerated. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is agglomerated bituminous coal classified under HS code 270112?
No, HS code 270112 specifically excludes agglomerated coal. Agglomerated solid fuels manufactured from coal, such as briquettes or ovoids made from bituminous coal, are classified under HS code 270120. The distinction is based on whether the coal has undergone an agglomeration process.
Which countries are the top exporters of bituminous coal (HS 270112)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 270112 (the code used for bituminous coal) in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($41.4B, 45% of world exports), Russia (about $11.9B) and the United States ($9.6B). World exports came to about $91.1B, 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 bituminous coal (HS 270112)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 270112 (the code used for bituminous coal) in UN Comtrade data were China ($22.9B, 26% of world imports), Japan ($20.8B) and South Korea ($11.8B). World imports came to about $88.1B, 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 Bituminous coal the same in all countries?
The base HS code 270112 for Bituminous coal 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 bituminous coal in Brazil?
In Brazil, bituminous coal (HS 270112) is classified under NCM 2701.12.00.