HS Code for Chalk

Natural chalk is classified under HS code 2509.00. This code is situated within Chapter 25, which covers salt, sulfur, earths, and stone, as well as plastering materials, lime, and cement. The classification is strictly for natural chalk, which is a form of limestone composed of the mineral calcite. Under the Harmonized System, this heading includes chalk that is crude, washed, or ground, provided it has not been prepared as a finished writing or drawing instrument. The classification depends on the chemical composition and the lack of significant processing that would transform the mineral into a manufactured article of another chapter. It is essentially the raw or minimally processed mineral extracted from the earth.

Products Included

• Crude natural chalk
• Washed chalk in powder form
• Ground natural calcium carbonate (chalk)
• Chalk used as a filler in industrial applications
• Unrefined chalk blocks

Common Misclassification

The most frequent misclassification for this product is HS code 9609.90, which covers writing or drawing chalks and pastels. The distinction lies in the level of processing: 2509.00 is for the raw mineral, while 9609.90 is for chalk that has been shaped into sticks or prepared for retail sale for writing purposes. Additionally, importers may confuse natural chalk with HS code 2521.00 (limestone flux), but 2509.00 is specific to the soft, white, porous sedimentary carbonate rock known as chalk. It should also not be confused with magnesium carbonate (2836.99), often used by athletes, which is chemically distinct.

FAQ

What is the HS code for Chalk?

The HS code for natural, raw, or ground chalk is 2509.00.

Is blackboard chalk classified here?

No, blackboard chalk or school chalk that has been shaped into sticks is classified under HS code 9609.90.