Product classification
HS code for Cement clinker: 2523.10
Cement clinkers (whether or not coloured).
Classification of cement clinker under HS 2523.10
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.
- Covers
- Portland cement clinker
- White cement clinker
- Grey cement clinker
- Sintered hydraulic cement nodules
- Aluminous cement clinker
- Also under 2523.10
- LafargeHolcim clinker
- HeidelbergCement clinker
- Cemex clinker
- UltraTech Cement clinker
Codes often confused with 2523.10
Common mistake. 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.
Top exporters and importers of HS 252310 (the code used for cement clinker), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 252310 (the code used for cement clinker) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 10% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Bangladesh, with about 9.6% of world imports. Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 41% of its exports here ($79M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 252310, not only cement clinker.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $378M 10% of world exports
- 2 Türkiye $327M 8.8% of world exports
- 3 Egypt $264M 7.1% of world exports
Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 41% of its exports here ($79M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $3.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Bangladesh* ~$405M 9.6% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Ghana $379M 9.0% of world imports
- 3 Côte d'Ivoire $316M 7.5% of world imports
World total: $4.2B 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 cement clinker
Brazil classifies cement clinker under NCM 2523.10.00: HS 2523.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product falls under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Importers to the EU must declare embedded carbon emissions and purchase CBAM certificates.
Questions about cement clinker
What is the HS code for Cement clinker?
The HS code for Cement clinker is 252310 (Cement clinkers (whether or not coloured)). The HS code for cement clinkers, whether or not colored, is 2523.10.
How do I classify Cement clinker for customs?
Cement clinker is classified under HS code 252310 — Cement clinkers (whether or not coloured). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
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.
Which countries are the top exporters of cement clinker (HS 252310)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 252310 (the code used for cement clinker) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($378M, 10% of world exports), Türkiye ($327M) and Egypt ($264M). World exports came to about $3.7B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 41% of its exports here ($79M, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of cement clinker (HS 252310)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 252310 (the code used for cement clinker) in UN Comtrade data were Bangladesh (about $405M, 9.6% of world imports), Ghana ($379M) and Côte d'Ivoire ($316M). World imports came to about $4.2B, 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 Cement clinker the same in all countries?
The base HS code 252310 for Cement clinker 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 cement clinker in Brazil?
In Brazil, cement clinker (HS 252310) is classified under NCM 2523.10.00.