Product classification
HS code for Natural stone carvings: 6802.99
Stone, natural (excluding marble, travertine, alabaster, other calcareous stone or granite), monumental or building stone, (other than simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface).
Classification of natural stone carvings under HS 6802.99
The classification of natural stone carvings under HS code 6802.99 is based on the type of stone used and the extent of the work performed on it. Heading 6802 covers worked monumental or building stone. While simple cutting or sawing of stone into rectangular blocks or slabs is often covered by the earlier subheadings of 6802, any further processing—such as carving, polishing, or edge-rounding—moves the product into the 6802.9x series. Subheading 6802.99 is specifically for stones other than marble, travertine, alabaster, or granite. This includes materials like sandstone, basalt, and limestone when they have been fashioned into decorative items, architectural ornaments, or functional carved pieces. The classification logic requires that the item still retains the character of the stone and has not been transformed into a specific finished article covered elsewhere (like a clock case or a lamp base). It is a vital code for the masonry and landscaping industries. The distinction between "simply cut" and "further worked" is the primary driver for this classification; if the surface is anything other than flat or even from a saw, it likely falls here.
- Covers
- Carved sandstone pillars and ornaments
- Polished basalt decorative items
- Worked slate for architectural use
- Limestone sculptures (not being original works of art)
- Stone troughs and basins (not being sanitary ware)
- Also under 6802.99
- Indian sandstone patio slabs
- Brazilian quartzite kitchen surfaces
- local basalt garden features
- various architectural limestone elements
Codes often confused with 6802.99
Common mistake. Natural stone carvings are often misclassified under 6802.2x if the importer believes the item is only "cut," but any decorative carving or polishing necessitates a move to 6802.99. They are also confused with 6802.91 (Marble) or 6802.93 (Granite). Crucially, if a carving is an original work of art produced by a sculptor, it should be classified under 9703.00. Additionally, small stone jewelry items belong in Chapter 71, not Chapter 68.
Top exporters and importers of HS 680299 (the code used for natural stone carvings), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 680299 (the code used for natural stone carvings) in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 47% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 55% 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 680299, not only natural stone carvings.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Brazil $696M 47% of world exports
- 2 China $225M 15% of world exports
- 3 Italy $197M 13% of world exports
World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $819M 55% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $86M 5.8% of world imports
- 3 Australia $51M 3.4% of world imports
World total: $1.5B 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 natural stone carvings
Brazil splits HS 6802.99 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 6802.99.10Grinding balls for mills of other stone
- 6802.99.90Other worked natural stone articles
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about natural stone carvings
What is the HS code for Natural stone carvings?
The HS code for Natural stone carvings is 680299 (Stone; natural (excluding marble, travertine, alabaster, other calcareous stone or granite), monumental or building stone, (other than simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface)). Natural stone carvings made from stones other than marble, granite, or alabaster are classified under HS code 6802.99.
How do I classify Natural stone carvings for customs?
Natural stone carvings is classified under HS code 680299 — Stone; natural (excluding marble, travertine, alabaster, other calcareous stone or granite), monumental or building stone, (other than simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
When should I use Chapter 97 instead of 6802.99?
You should use Chapter 97 (specifically 9703) only if the stone carving is an original work of art created by an artist. Mass-produced decorative carvings remain in 6802.99.
Which countries are the top exporters of natural stone carvings (HS 680299)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 680299 (the code used for natural stone carvings) in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($696M, 47% of world exports), China ($225M) and Italy ($197M). World exports came to about $1.5B, 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 stone carvings (HS 680299)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 680299 (the code used for natural stone carvings) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($819M, 55% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($86M) and Australia ($51M). World imports came to about $1.5B, 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 stone carvings the same in all countries?
The base HS code 680299 for Natural stone carvings 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 stone carvings in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 680299 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for natural stone carvings depends on the product's details: 6802.99.10 (Grinding balls for mills of other stone), 6802.99.90 (Other worked natural stone articles).