Product classification
HS code for Granulated slag: 2618.00
Slag, granulated (slag sand), from the manufacture or iron or steel.
Classification of granulated slag under HS 2618.00
Granulated slag, also known as slag sand, is classified under HS code 2618.00. This product is a byproduct of the manufacture of iron or steel, specifically from the blast furnace process. When molten slag is rapidly quenched with water or steam, it solidifies into glassy, granular particles rather than forming a solid mass. This granulation process is what defines the product for classification purposes. Chapter 26 of the Harmonized System covers ores, slag, and ash. Heading 2618 is a single-dash heading that specifically identifies granulated slag from the iron and steel industry. The classification is straightforward because the product is a distinct industrial raw material used primarily in the production of cement and as an abrasive. It must not be confused with other types of slag or ash that result from different industrial processes or that have been further processed into finished construction materials like slag wool.
- Covers
- Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS)
- Water-quenched slag sand
- Granulated iron slag for cement manufacturing
- Glassy granular slag from steel production
- Slag sand used as a sand-blasting abrasive
- Also under 2618.00
- ArcelorMittal (steel producer, also slag)
- Tata Steel (steel producer, also slag)
- HeidelbergCement (cement producer, uses slag)
- LafargeHolcim (cement producer, uses slag)
Codes often confused with 2618.00
Common mistake. Granulated slag is often confused with HS code 2619.00, which covers non-granulated slag, dross, scalings, and other waste from the manufacture of iron or steel. The key difference is the physical form; 2618.00 is specifically for the "sand-like" granulated version. It may also be misclassified under 2621.90, which is a residual category for other slags and ashes, including municipal waste ash. However, because granulated slag from iron/steel is specifically named in 2618.00, that code takes precedence according to the principle of specific description over general description. Additionally, if the slag is processed into "slag wool," it moves to Chapter 68.
Top exporters and importers of HS 261800 (the code used for granulated slag), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 261800 (the code used for granulated slag) in UN Comtrade data was South Africa, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United Kingdom, with 14% 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 261800, not only granulated slag.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 South Africa $244M 25% of world exports
- 2 Japan $94M 9.8% of world exports
- 3 China $91M 9.4% of world exports
World total: $961M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United Kingdom $180M 14% of world imports
- 2 United States $178M 14% of world imports
- 3 Singapore $85M 6.7% of world imports
World total: $1.3B 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 granulated slag
Brazil classifies granulated slag under NCM 2618.00.00: HS 2618.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about granulated slag
What is the HS code for Granulated slag?
The HS code for Granulated slag is 261800 (Slag, granulated (slag sand); from the manufacture or iron or steel). The HS code for granulated slag (slag sand) from the manufacture of iron or steel is 2618.00.
How do I classify Granulated slag for customs?
Granulated slag is classified under HS code 261800 — Slag, granulated (slag sand); from the manufacture or iron or steel. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is granulated slag the same as fly ash?
No, fly ash is a byproduct of coal combustion and is typically classified under HS code 2621.90, whereas granulated slag is a byproduct of metal smelting classified under 2618.00.
Which countries are the top exporters of granulated slag (HS 261800)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 261800 (the code used for granulated slag) in UN Comtrade data were South Africa ($244M, 25% of world exports), Japan ($94M) and China ($91M). World exports came to about $961M, 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 granulated slag (HS 261800)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 261800 (the code used for granulated slag) in UN Comtrade data were the United Kingdom ($180M, 14% of world imports), the United States ($178M) and Singapore ($85M). World imports came to about $1.3B, 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 Granulated slag the same in all countries?
The base HS code 261800 for Granulated 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 granulated slag in Brazil?
In Brazil, granulated slag (HS 261800) is classified under NCM 2618.00.00.