HS Code for Cement clinker

Cement clinker is classified under HS code 2523.10. It falls under Chapter 25, which includes salt, sulfur, earths and stone, plastering materials, lime, and cement. Heading 2523 specifically covers hydraulic cements, whether or not colored or in the form of clinkers. Clinker is the essential intermediate product in the manufacture of Portland cement. It is produced by heating a mixture of limestone and alumino-silicate materials, such as clay, to extremely high temperatures (around 1,450°C) in a rotary kiln. This process, known as sintering, transforms the raw materials into hard, greyish nodules typically 3 to 25 mm in diameter. Because clinker is a distinct stage of production and is frequently traded as a bulk commodity to be ground into finished cement at a different location, it is granted its own specific subheading. The classification is determined by the physical state of the material—it must be in the form of these sintered nodules—and its intended use as a precursor to hydraulic cement. The color of the clinker, whether grey or white, does not change its classification under 2523.10.

Products Included

• Portland cement clinker
• White cement clinker
• Grey cement clinker
• Sintered hydraulic cement nodules
• Aluminous cement clinker

Common Misclassification

The most common misclassification is HS code 2523.29, which is for finished Portland cement in powder form. Clinker is the unground precursor and must stay in 2523.10. It is also sometimes confused with HS code 2618.00, which is granulated slag from the manufacture of iron or steel. While slag can be used in cement making, it is a byproduct of metallurgy, whereas clinker is a purposefully manufactured product.

FAQ

What is the HS code for Cement clinker?

The HS code for cement clinkers, whether or not colored, is 2523.10.

Is clinker the same as finished cement?

No, clinker is the intermediate nodular material produced in a kiln. It must be ground into a fine powder and usually mixed with gypsum to become finished hydraulic cement.