Product classification

HS code for Sandstone slabs: 2516.20

Sandstone,. whether or not roughly trimmed, cut, by sawing etc, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape.

Classification of sandstone slabs under HS 2516.20

Sandstone slabs are classified under HS code 2516.20. This code is found in Chapter 25, which covers salt, sulfur, earths, and stone, specifically those in a raw or roughly worked state. Heading 2516 includes granite, porphyry, basalt, sandstone, and other monumental or building stone. Subheading 2516.20 is dedicated specifically to sandstone. To qualify for this heading, the sandstone must be either in the rough, roughly trimmed, or merely cut by sawing or otherwise into blocks or slabs of a rectangular or square shape. The critical factor for classification in Chapter 25 is the degree of processing. If the stone has been further worked—such as being polished, chamfered, or carved—it is no longer considered a raw material and must be classified in Chapter 68. Therefore, 2516.20 is used primarily for quarry-cut slabs intended for further processing or for use in basic construction where a natural, unpolished finish is required.

Covers
  • Roughly trimmed sandstone blocks
  • Sandstone slabs cut by gang saw
  • Unpolished sandstone rectangular blocks
  • Raw sandstone quarried for building purposes
  • Sandstone slabs with sawn edges but no surface treatment
Also under 2516.20
  • Indian Teakwood sandstone slabs
  • Kota Brown sandstone blocks
  • Yorkshire sandstone paving
  • Australian Helidon sandstone
  • Chinese Yellow Wood Grain sandstone

Codes often confused with 2516.20

Common mistake. Sandstone is most commonly misclassified under 6802.21 or 6802.99. Chapter 68 covers "worked" stone. If the sandstone slab has been polished, honed, or has edges that are rounded or decorated, it must be classified under 6802. Another common error is confusing sandstone with quartzite (2506.20) or siliceous fossil meals (2512.00). While they may look similar, the geological definition of sandstone as a sedimentary rock composed of sand-sized silicate grains is the deciding factor for 2516.20. Finally, 2515.11 is often used by mistake, but that code is strictly for marble and travertine.

6802.21Marble, travertine and alabaster; simply cut or sawn, with a flat or even surface6802.99Stone; 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)68.02Monumental or building stone, worked (except slate) and articles thereof (not of heading no. 6801) mosaic cubes etc., of natural stone including slate; artificially coloured granules of natural stone2506.20Quartzite; whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape2512.00Siliceous fossil meals (e.g. kieselguhr, tripolite and diatomite) and similar siliceous earths; whether or not calcined, of an apparent specific gravity of 1 or less2515.11Marble and travertine; having a specific gravity of 2.5 or more, crude or roughly trimmed by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape

Top exporters and importers of HS 251620 (the code used for sandstone slabs), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 251620 (the code used for sandstone slabs) in UN Comtrade data was India, with 74% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United Kingdom, with 33% 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 251620, not only sandstone slabs.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 India $65M
  2. 2 Spain $7.6M
  3. 3 Ireland $2.4M

World total: $88M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United Kingdom $48M
  2. 2 China $41M
  3. 3 United States $11M

World total: $145M 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 sandstone slabs

Brazil classifies sandstone slabs under NCM 2516.20.00: HS 2516.20 with 00 added.

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about sandstone slabs

What is the HS code for Sandstone slabs?

The HS code for Sandstone slabs is 251620 (Sandstone;. whether or not roughly trimmed, cut, by sawing etc, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape). The HS code for raw or sawn sandstone slabs is 2516.20.

How do I classify Sandstone slabs for customs?

Sandstone slabs is classified under HS code 251620 — Sandstone;. whether or not roughly trimmed, cut, by sawing etc, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

When does sandstone move from Chapter 25 to Chapter 68?

Sandstone moves to Chapter 68 (specifically 6802) as soon as it undergoes processing beyond simple sawing or rough squaring, such as polishing, grinding, or turning into finished paving stones.

Which countries are the top exporters of sandstone slabs (HS 251620)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 251620 (the code used for sandstone slabs) in UN Comtrade data were India ($65M, 74% of world exports), Spain ($7.6M) and Ireland ($2.4M). World exports came to about $88M, 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 sandstone slabs (HS 251620)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 251620 (the code used for sandstone slabs) in UN Comtrade data were the United Kingdom ($48M, 33% of world imports), China ($41M) and the United States ($11M). World imports came to about $145M, 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 Sandstone slabs the same in all countries?

The base HS code 251620 for Sandstone slabs 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 sandstone slabs in Brazil?

In Brazil, sandstone slabs (HS 251620) is classified under NCM 2516.20.00.