Product classification
HS code for Tar sands: 2714.10
Bituminous or oil shale and tar sands.
Classification of tar sands under HS 2714.10
Tar sands, also known as oil sands or bituminous sands, are classified under HS code 271410. This heading covers bituminous or oil shale and tar sands. These are naturally occurring mixtures of sand, clay, water, and bitumen—a dense and extremely viscous form of petroleum. The classification is determined by the material's state as a naturally occurring mineral substance. According to the Explanatory Notes for Chapter 27, this heading includes sedimentary rocks and sands containing hydrocarbons which can be recovered only after processing (such as thermal recovery or solvent extraction). The classification remains 271410 as long as the product is the raw mineral or has undergone only basic physical separation from the parent rock, provided it has not been refined into specific petroleum oils.
- Covers
- Raw tar sands
- Crude bitumen-impregnated sands
- Oil sands for synthetic crude production
- Bituminous shale
- Natural asphaltic sands
- Also under 2714.10
- Syncrude Canada Tar Sands
- Suncor Energy Tar Sands
- Eesti Energia Oil Shale
- Shell Canada Tar Sands
Codes often confused with 2714.10
Common mistake. Tar sands are frequently confused with HS code 271320, which covers petroleum bitumen. However, 271320 refers to the residue obtained from the distillation of crude petroleum, whereas 271410 is for the naturally occurring mineral. Another common misclassification is 271500, which covers bituminous mixtures based on natural asphalt or bitumen (such as bituminous mastics or cut-backs). 271500 products are generally processed mixtures used in construction, while 271410 is the raw extractive resource.
Top exporters and importers of HS 271410 (the code used for tar sands), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 271410 (the code used for tar sands) in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 36% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Romania, with 40% 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 271410, not only tar sands.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Malaysia $2.7M 36% of world exports
- 2 Portugal $935K 13% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $861K 12% of world exports
World total: $7.3M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Romania $7.0M 40% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $2.4M 14% of world imports
- 3 Fiji $1.7M 9.7% of world imports
World total: $17M 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 tar sands
Brazil classifies tar sands under NCM 2714.10.00: HS 2714.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about tar sands
What is the HS code for Tar sands?
The HS code for Tar sands is 271410 (Bituminous or oil shale and tar sands).
How do I classify Tar sands for customs?
Tar sands is classified under HS code 271410 — Bituminous or oil shale and tar sands. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for raw oil sands?
The HS code for raw oil sands or tar sands is 271410.
Does this code include refined bitumen?
No, refined bitumen produced from petroleum distillation is classified under HS code 271320.
Which countries are the top exporters of tar sands (HS 271410)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 271410 (the code used for tar sands) in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($2.7M, 36% of world exports), Portugal ($935K) and the Netherlands ($861K). World exports came to about $7.3M, 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 tar sands (HS 271410)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 271410 (the code used for tar sands) in UN Comtrade data were Romania ($7.0M, 40% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($2.4M) and Fiji ($1.7M). World imports came to about $17M, 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 Tar sands the same in all countries?
The base HS code 271410 for Tar sands 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 tar sands in Brazil?
In Brazil, tar sands (HS 271410) is classified under NCM 2714.10.00.