Product classification
HS code for Plaster: 2520.20
Plasters, (consisting of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate), whether or not coloured, with or without small quantities of accelerators or retarders.
Classification of plaster under HS 2520.20
Plaster is classified under HS code 252020. This code is part of Chapter 25, which includes salt, sulfur, earths and stone, plastering materials, lime, and cement. Heading 2520 specifically covers gypsum, anhydrite, and plasters. Subheading 252020 is reserved for plasters consisting of calcined gypsum or calcium sulfate. These materials may be colored and may contain small quantities of accelerators or retarders to control the setting time. The classification process involves verifying that the material has undergone the calcination process, which distinguishes it from raw gypsum. This code is used for various industrial and construction-grade plasters, including those used in dentistry or specialized artistic applications. The material must be in its bulk form (powder or grain) to be classified here. Once it is molded into a specific shape or article, it moves to Chapter 68. The presence of small additives does not change the classification as long as the essential character remains that of a plaster.
- Covers
- Plaster of Paris
- Calcined gypsum powder
- Dental plaster
- Construction grade plaster
- Colored plastering materials
- Also under 2520.20
- USG Plaster of Paris
- Saint-Gobain Gyproc Plaster
- Knauf Plaster
- Georgia-Pacific Plaster
Codes often confused with 2520.20
Common mistake. Plaster is often confused with raw gypsum, which is classified under HS code 252010. The difference is that 252020 must be calcined. It is also sometimes misclassified under 321410, which covers glaziers' putty and resin cements used as fillers. If the plaster is already shaped into boards or panels, it should be classified under heading 6809 rather than 2520.
Top exporters and importers of HS 252020 (the code used for plaster), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 252020 (the code used for plaster) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Nigeria, with 7.9% of world imports. The United Kingdom reports $611M of its chapter 25 imports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 252020, not only plaster.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $108M 18% of world exports
- 2 France $71M 12% of world exports
- 3 Thailand $54M 8.9% of world exports
World total: $609M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Nigeria $61M 7.9% of world imports
- 2 India $57M 7.4% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $52M 6.7% of world imports
The United Kingdom reports $611M of its chapter 25 imports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.
World total: $778M 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 plaster
Brazil splits HS 2520.20 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 2520.20.10Dental plaster, ground
- 2520.20.90Other plasters (calcined gypsum)
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about plaster
What is the HS code for Plaster?
The HS code for Plaster is 252020 (Plasters; (consisting of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate), whether or not coloured, with or without small quantities of accelerators or retarders). The HS code for plasters consisting of calcined gypsum or calcium sulfate is 252020.
How do I classify Plaster for customs?
Plaster is classified under HS code 252020 — Plasters; (consisting of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate), whether or not coloured, with or without small quantities of accelerators or retarders. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is raw gypsum classified under the same code?
No, raw gypsum and anhydrite are classified under HS code 252010.
Which countries are the top exporters of plaster (HS 252020)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 252020 (the code used for plaster) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($108M, 18% of world exports), France ($71M) and Thailand ($54M). World exports came to about $609M, 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 plaster (HS 252020)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 252020 (the code used for plaster) in UN Comtrade data were Nigeria ($61M, 7.9% of world imports), India ($57M) and the United Kingdom ($52M). World imports came to about $778M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). The United Kingdom reports $611M of its chapter 25 imports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.
Is the HS code for Plaster the same in all countries?
The base HS code 252020 for Plaster 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 plaster in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 252020 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for plaster depends on the product's details: 2520.20.10 (Dental plaster, ground), 2520.20.90 (Other plasters (calcined gypsum)).