Product classification
HS code for Foamed slag: 6806.20
Exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays, foamed slag and similar expanded mineral materials (including intermixtures thereof).
Classification of foamed slag under HS 6806.20
Foamed slag is classified under HS code 6806.20, which specifically covers exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays, foamed slag, and similar expanded mineral materials. This classification is determined by the physical state of the material and its manufacturing process. Foamed slag is produced by treating molten blast-furnace slag with a controlled, limited amount of water or steam. This process causes the slag to expand into a porous, lightweight cellular material. Chapter 68 covers articles of stone, plaster, cement, or similar mineral materials. Heading 6806 specifically addresses heat-insulating, sound-insulating, or sound-absorbing mineral materials. Foamed slag is primarily utilized in the construction industry as a lightweight aggregate for concrete or as a loose-fill insulating material. Because it has undergone a specific expansion process that alters its density and structure, it is moved from the raw material categories of Chapter 26 (ores and slag) into the manufactured mineral products of Chapter 68. The porous nature of the foamed slag is the defining characteristic that aligns it with the other expanded minerals listed in subheading 6806.20.
- Covers
- Expanded blast furnace slag
- Lightweight slag aggregate for concrete
- Cellular slag for thermal insulation
- Crushed foamed slag for road construction
- Foamed slag pellets
- 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. Foamed slag is often confused with HS code 2618.00, which covers granulated slag (slag sand) from the manufacture of iron or steel. The key difference is the processing: 2618.00 refers to raw, granulated waste material, whereas 6806.20 refers to slag that has been intentionally expanded or 'foamed' to create a lightweight material with insulating properties. Additionally, it may be confused with 6806.10 (slag wool), but slag wool is a fibrous material, whereas foamed slag is a cellular, stony material.
Top exporters and importers of HS 680620 (the code used for foamed slag), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 680620 (the code used for foamed slag) 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 foamed slag.
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 foamed slag
Brazil classifies foamed slag 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 foamed slag
What is the HS code for Foamed slag?
The HS code for Foamed slag is 680620 (Exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays, foamed slag and similar expanded mineral materials (including intermixtures thereof)). The correct HS code for foamed slag is 6806.20.
How do I classify Foamed slag for customs?
Foamed slag 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.
Is foamed slag the same as slag wool in the HS system?
No, they are different. Slag wool is a fibrous mineral wool classified under 6806.10, while foamed slag is an expanded cellular mineral classified under 6806.20.
Which countries are the top exporters of foamed slag (HS 680620)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 680620 (the code used for foamed slag) 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 foamed slag (HS 680620)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 680620 (the code used for foamed slag) 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 Foamed slag the same in all countries?
The base HS code 680620 for Foamed slag 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 foamed slag in Brazil?
In Brazil, foamed slag (HS 680620) is classified under NCM 6806.20.00.