Product classification
HS code for Expanded clay: 6806.20
Exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays, foamed slag and similar expanded mineral materials (including intermixtures thereof).
Classification of expanded clay under HS 6806.20
Expanded clay is classified under HS code 6806.20 because it represents a mineral material that has been thermally processed to change its physical density and structure. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), products are classified based on their constituent material and the degree of processing. Chapter 68 encompasses articles of stone, plaster, cement, and similar mineral substances. Heading 6806 specifically provides for slag wool, rock wool, and similar mineral wools, as well as exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays, foamed slag, and similar expanded mineral materials. The expansion process, typically occurring in a rotary kiln at temperatures around 1200 degrees Celsius, results in a lightweight aggregate with a hard outer shell and a porous core. This thermal expansion is the defining characteristic for this specific subheading, as it transforms the raw clay into a product with high insulation and low density.
- Covers
- Lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA)
- Expanded shale used for lightweight concrete
- Expanded obsidian and perlite for horticultural use
- Foamed slag and similar expanded mineral materials
- Intermixtures of expanded minerals for thermal insulation
- Hydroponic clay pebbles used in gardening systems
- Lightweight mineral aggregates for geotechnical fill
- Also under 6806.20
- LECA (Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate)
- Perlite (e.g., from The Scotts Company)
- Vermiculite (e.g., from Sun Gro Horticulture)
- Fytocell
- Hydroton
Codes often confused with 6806.20
Common mistake. Expanded clay is frequently misclassified under heading 2508, which covers natural clays that have not been expanded. While 2508 includes clay that has been calcined, it does not include clay that has been expanded into the lightweight form described by 6806. Additionally, some importers mistakenly use 6904 for ceramic building bricks. However, expanded clay in its aggregate form is not a finished brick but a raw material for insulation or concrete, placing it firmly in 6806.20. Another confusion arises with 6806.10 (slag wool), but 6806.20 is the correct designation for expanded minerals.
Top exporters and importers of HS 680620 (the code used for expanded clay), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 680620 (the code used for expanded clay) in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 13% 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 680620, not only expanded clay.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Netherlands $83M 17% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $62M 13% of world exports
- 3 United States $59M 12% of world exports
World total: $483M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $62M 13% of world imports
- 2 Germany $44M 9.0% of world imports
- 3 Canada $28M 5.6% of world imports
World total: $492M 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 expanded clay
Brazil classifies expanded clay under NCM 6806.20.00: HS 6806.20 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about expanded clay
What is the HS code for Expanded clay?
The HS code for Expanded clay is 680620 (Exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays, foamed slag and similar expanded mineral materials (including intermixtures thereof)). The primary HS code for expanded clay is 6806.20, which covers exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays, foamed slag, and similar expanded mineral materials.
How do I classify Expanded clay for customs?
Expanded clay is classified under HS code 680620 — Exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays, foamed slag and similar expanded mineral materials (including intermixtures thereof). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does the use of expanded clay in hydroponics change its HS code?
No, the HS code 6806.20 applies to expanded clay based on its physical properties and manufacturing process, regardless of whether it is used for construction, insulation, or as a growing medium in hydroponics.
Which countries are the top exporters of expanded clay (HS 680620)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 680620 (the code used for expanded clay) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($83M, 17% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($62M) and the United States ($59M). World exports came to about $483M, 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 expanded clay (HS 680620)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 680620 (the code used for expanded clay) in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($62M, 13% of world imports), Germany ($44M) and Canada ($28M). World imports came to about $492M, 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 Expanded clay the same in all countries?
The base HS code 680620 for Expanded clay 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 expanded clay in Brazil?
In Brazil, expanded clay (HS 680620) is classified under NCM 6806.20.00.