Product classification
HS code for Natural barium sulphate: 2511.10
Barium sulphate (barytes), natural.
Classification of natural barium sulphate under HS 2511.10
Natural barium sulphate, commonly referred to as barytes or barite, is classified under HS code 2511.10. This classification falls under Chapter 25, which covers mineral products that are typically in their raw or simply prepared state. Barytes is a heavy mineral consisting of barium sulphate and is frequently used as a weighting agent in oil and gas drilling fluids due to its high specific gravity and chemical inertness. The classification under 2511.10 is reserved for the natural mineral form, which may be washed, crushed, or ground into a fine powder to meet industrial specifications. It is essential that the material has not been chemically precipitated, as that would change its classification to a chemical product. Beyond the oil industry, natural barytes is used as a filler in plastics, rubber, and paints, and as a radiation shield in concrete. Customs authorities distinguish this natural mineral from its synthetic counterpart based on the manufacturing process and the presence of natural impurities. The 2511.10 code is specific to the sulphate form, distinguishing it from the carbonate form found in the same heading.
- Covers
- Natural barytes (crude)
- Ground natural barium sulphate
- Heavy spar
- Unrefined barite ore
- Pulverized natural barytes
- Also under 2511.10
- Halliburton (uses barite in drilling mud)
- Schlumberger (uses barite in drilling fluids)
- Imerys (supplies industrial minerals)
- Sibelco (supplies industrial minerals)
Codes often confused with 2511.10
Common mistake. Natural barium sulphate is often misclassified as precipitated barium sulphate, which falls under HS code 2833.27. Precipitated barium sulphate (blanc fixe) is a synthetic chemical product. It is also occasionally confused with natural barium carbonate (witherite), which is classified under 2511.20. Importers must ensure the product is identified as natural rather than chemically manufactured to avoid 2833.27.
Top exporters and importers of HS 251110 (the code used for natural barium sulphate), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 251110 (the code used for natural barium sulphate) in UN Comtrade data was India, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 28% 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 251110, not only natural barium sulphate.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 India $144M 17% of world exports
- 2 China $143M 17% of world exports
- 3 Morocco $130M 15% of world exports
World total: $843M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $271M 28% of world imports
- 2 Saudi Arabia $123M 13% of world imports
- 3 Argentina $48M 5.0% of world imports
World total: $956M 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 natural barium sulphate
Brazil classifies natural barium sulphate under NCM 2511.10.00: HS 2511.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about natural barium sulphate
What is the HS code for Natural barium sulphate?
The HS code for Natural barium sulphate is 251110 (Barium sulphate (barytes); natural). The HS code for natural barium sulphate, commonly known as barytes, is 2511.10.
How do I classify Natural barium sulphate for customs?
Natural barium sulphate is classified under HS code 251110 — Barium sulphate (barytes); natural. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is ground barytes classified differently than lump barytes?
No, both lump and ground natural barium sulphate are classified under HS code 2511.10, as grinding is considered a simple preparation.
Which countries are the top exporters of natural barium sulphate (HS 251110)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 251110 (the code used for natural barium sulphate) in UN Comtrade data were India ($144M, 17% of world exports), China ($143M) and Morocco ($130M). World exports came to about $843M, 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 natural barium sulphate (HS 251110)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 251110 (the code used for natural barium sulphate) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($271M, 28% of world imports), Saudi Arabia ($123M) and Argentina ($48M). World imports came to about $956M, 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 Natural barium sulphate the same in all countries?
The base HS code 251110 for Natural barium sulphate 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 natural barium sulphate in Brazil?
In Brazil, natural barium sulphate (HS 251110) is classified under NCM 2511.10.00.