Product classification
HS code for Seaweed ash: 2621.90
Slag and ash n.e.c. in chapter 26, including seaweed ash (kelp) but excluding ash and residues from the incineration of municipal waste.
Classification of seaweed ash under HS 2621.90
Seaweed ash, also known as kelp ash, is classified under HS code 2621.90. This classification falls within Chapter 26, which covers ores, slag, and ash. Heading 2621 is a broad category for \"Other slag and ash, including seaweed ash (kelp).\" The classification is based on the product being a residue of the incineration of vegetable matter. Seaweed ash is produced by burning dried seaweed to recover mineral salts, particularly iodine and potash. Unlike raw or dried seaweed, which is an organic plant product, seaweed ash is an inorganic residue consisting of the mineral components of the plant. Under the General Rules of Interpretation, the specific mention of seaweed ash in the Explanatory Notes for 2621 confirms its placement here. It is treated as a mineral-rich industrial raw material rather than a botanical product.
- Covers
- Incinerated kelp residue
- Potash-rich seaweed ash
- Iodine-bearing seaweed residues from burning
- Vegetable ash derived from marine algae
- Kelp char used for mineral extraction
- Also under 2621.90
- Acadian Seaplants kelp meal
- various power plant fly ash (if not specifically coal)
- agricultural wood ash
- cement kiln dust
Codes often confused with 2621.90
Common mistake. Seaweed ash is often confused with raw or dried seaweed, which is classified under 1212.21 (for human consumption) or 1212.29 (for other uses). The key distinction is the process of incineration; if the seaweed has not been burned to ash, it cannot be in Chapter 26. It is also sometimes misclassified as a fertilizer under 3104 (potassic fertilizers). While seaweed ash contains potash, it is considered a raw material residue rather than a manufactured fertilizer unless it has been further processed or chemically treated.
Top exporters and importers of HS 262190 (the code used for seaweed ash), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 262190 (the code used for seaweed ash) in UN Comtrade data was India, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Bangladesh, with about 13% 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 262190, not only seaweed ash.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 India $78M 23% of world exports
- 2 China $51M 15% of world exports
- 3 Germany $27M 8.1% of world exports
World total: $338M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Bangladesh* ~$52M 13% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Germany $36M 8.8% of world imports
- 3 United States $35M 8.5% of world imports
World total: $410M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 seaweed ash
Brazil splits HS 2621.90 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 2621.90.10Vegetable ash (incl. seaweed ash)
- 2621.90.90Other slag and ash
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about seaweed ash
What is the HS code for Seaweed ash?
The HS code for Seaweed ash is 262190 (Slag and ash n.e.c. in chapter 26; including seaweed ash (kelp) but excluding ash and residues from the incineration of municipal waste). The specific HS code for seaweed ash (kelp ash) is 2621.90.
How do I classify Seaweed ash for customs?
Seaweed ash is classified under HS code 262190 — Slag and ash n.e.c. in chapter 26; including seaweed ash (kelp) but excluding ash and residues from the incineration of municipal waste. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is seaweed ash the same as dried seaweed?
No, dried seaweed is classified in 1212, while seaweed ash is the residue left after burning seaweed and is classified in 2621.
Which countries are the top exporters of seaweed ash (HS 262190)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 262190 (the code used for seaweed ash) in UN Comtrade data were India ($78M, 23% of world exports), China ($51M) and Germany ($27M). World exports came to about $338M, 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 seaweed ash (HS 262190)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 262190 (the code used for seaweed ash) in UN Comtrade data were Bangladesh (about $52M, 13% of world imports), Germany ($36M) and the United States ($35M). World imports came to about $410M, 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 Seaweed ash the same in all countries?
The base HS code 262190 for Seaweed ash 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 seaweed ash in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 262190 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for seaweed ash depends on the product's details: 2621.90.10 (Vegetable ash (incl. seaweed ash)), 2621.90.90 (Other slag and ash).