Product classification
HS code for Bituminous shale: 2714.10
Bituminous or oil shale and tar sands.
Classification of bituminous shale under HS 2714.10
Bituminous shale is classified under HS code 2714.10, which falls within Chapter 27 of the Harmonized System, covering mineral fuels, mineral oils, and products of their distillation. Heading 2714 specifically includes bitumen and asphalt, natural; bituminous or oil shale and tar sands; asphaltites and asphaltic rocks. Subheading 2714.10 is the specific designation for bituminous or oil shale and tar sands. These are naturally occurring sedimentary rocks containing organic matter (kerogen) from which liquid hydrocarbons can be extracted, or sands naturally saturated with heavy crude oil. Unlike refined bitumen, which is a byproduct of petroleum distillation, bituminous shale is a raw mineral resource. The classification is determined by the geological nature of the material and its status as a primary energy source or mineral raw material. It is often traded for further processing into synthetic crude oil or for direct combustion in specialized power plants.
- Covers
- Oil shale
- Tar sands
- Kerogen-bearing sedimentary rock
- Natural bitumen-impregnated rock
- Asphaltic shale
- Also under 2714.10
- Syncrude Canada Tar Sands
- Suncor Energy Tar Sands
- Eesti Energia Oil Shale
- Shell Canada Tar Sands
Codes often confused with 2714.10
Common mistake. Bituminous shale is often confused with petroleum bitumen (HS code 2713.20). However, 2713.20 refers to the refined byproduct of oil processing, whereas 2714.10 refers to the naturally occurring mineral. It may also be confused with natural asphalt or bitumen under 2714.90, but 2714.10 is the specific code for the shale and sand forms of these minerals.
Top exporters and importers of HS 271410 (the code used for bituminous shale), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 271410 (the code used for bituminous shale) in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 36% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Romania, with 40% 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 271410, not only bituminous shale.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Malaysia $2.7M 36% of world exports
- 2 Portugal $935K 13% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $861K 12% of world exports
World total: $7.3M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Romania $7.0M 40% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $2.4M 14% of world imports
- 3 Fiji $1.7M 9.7% of world imports
World total: $17M 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 bituminous shale
Brazil classifies bituminous shale under NCM 2714.10.00: HS 2714.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about bituminous shale
What is the HS code for Bituminous shale?
The HS code for Bituminous shale is 271410 (Bituminous or oil shale and tar sands). The HS code for bituminous or oil shale and tar sands is 2714.10.
How do I classify Bituminous shale for customs?
Bituminous shale is classified under HS code 271410 — Bituminous or oil shale and tar sands. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are tar sands included in this code?
Yes, tar sands are explicitly grouped with bituminous shale under the HS code 2714.10.
Which countries are the top exporters of bituminous shale (HS 271410)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 271410 (the code used for bituminous shale) in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($2.7M, 36% of world exports), Portugal ($935K) and the Netherlands ($861K). World exports came to about $7.3M, 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 shale (HS 271410)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 271410 (the code used for bituminous shale) in UN Comtrade data were Romania ($7.0M, 40% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($2.4M) and Fiji ($1.7M). World imports came to about $17M, 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 shale the same in all countries?
The base HS code 271410 for Bituminous shale 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 shale in Brazil?
In Brazil, bituminous shale (HS 271410) is classified under NCM 2714.10.00.