Product classification
HS code for Kaolin clay: 2507.00
Kaolin and other kaolinic clays, whether or not calcined.
Classification of kaolin clay under HS 2507.00
Kaolin clay is classified under HS code 2507.00. This code is part of Chapter 25, which includes salt, sulfur, earths, stone, and other mineral substances. Heading 2507 is a dedicated heading for kaolin and other kaolinic clays. A critical aspect of this classification is that it includes the clay whether or not it has been calcined. Calcination is a thermal treatment process used to remove volatile fractions or to change the physical properties of the clay, such as increasing its brightness, hardness, or chemical reactivity. As long as the clay remains essentially a kaolinic earth and has not been chemically modified into a different product or activated for specific catalytic purposes, it remains within this heading. Kaolin is primarily composed of the mineral kaolinite, a hydrous aluminum silicate, and is widely used in the paper, ceramics, and rubber industries due to its unique physical properties.
- Covers
- Raw kaolin (china clay)
- Calcined kaolin
- Paper-grade kaolinic clay
- Ceramic-grade kaolin
- Refining-grade kaolinic earth
- Also under 2507.00
- Imerys Kaolin
- BASF Kaolin
- Thiele Kaolin
- Huber Engineered Materials (J.M. Huber)
- KaMin LLC.
Codes often confused with 2507.00
Common mistake. Kaolin is sometimes misclassified under HS code 3802.90, which covers activated clays. If the kaolin has been chemically treated to activate it for decolorizing or filtering, it moves to Chapter 38. It may also be confused with 2508.10 (Bentonite) or 2508.40 (Other clays), but 2507.00 is the specific and exclusive code for kaolinic varieties.
Top exporters and importers of HS 250700 (the code used for kaolin clay), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 250700 (the code used for kaolin clay) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 7.3% 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 250700, not only kaolin clay.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $590M 33% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $283M 16% of world exports
- 3 China $155M 8.8% of world exports
World total: $1.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $147M 7.3% of world imports
- 2 Italy $141M 7.0% of world imports
- 3 Japan $123M 6.1% of world imports
World total: $2.0B 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 codes for kaolin clay
Brazil splits HS 2507.00 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 2507.00.10Kaolin (china clay)
- 2507.00.90Other kaolinic clays
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 kaolin clay
What is the HS code for Kaolin clay?
The HS code for Kaolin clay is 250700 (Kaolin and other kaolinic clays; whether or not calcined). The HS code for kaolin and other kaolinic clays, whether or not they have been calcined, is 2507.00.
How do I classify Kaolin clay for customs?
Kaolin clay is classified under HS code 250700 — Kaolin and other kaolinic clays; whether or not calcined. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does the purity of the clay affect the HS code?
Generally, no. As long as the material is essentially kaolinic clay, it remains in 2507.00. However, if it is processed into a specific chemical compound or a finished product like a cosmetic, the classification will change.
Which countries are the top exporters of kaolin clay (HS 250700)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 250700 (the code used for kaolin clay) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($590M, 33% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($283M) and China ($155M). World exports came to about $1.8B, 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 kaolin clay (HS 250700)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 250700 (the code used for kaolin clay) in UN Comtrade data were China ($147M, 7.3% of world imports), Italy ($141M) and Japan ($123M). World imports came to about $2.0B, 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 Kaolin clay the same in all countries?
The base HS code 250700 for Kaolin 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 kaolin clay in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 250700 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for kaolin clay depends on the product's details: 2507.00.10 (Kaolin (china clay)), 2507.00.90 (Other kaolinic clays).