Product classification
HS code for White Portland cement: 2523.21
Cement, portland, white, whether or not artificially coloured.
Classification of white Portland cement under HS 2523.21
White Portland cement is classified under HS code 252321. This product belongs to Chapter 25, which covers salt, sulfur, earths and stone, plastering materials, lime, and cement. Heading 2523 is dedicated to hydraulic cements, whether or not colored. White Portland cement is a specific variety of Portland cement manufactured from raw materials containing negligible amounts of iron oxide and manganese oxide, which are the elements responsible for the grey color of standard cement. The classification 252321 is specifically for Portland cement that is white, whether or not it has been artificially colored. This distinction is important because white cement is often used for architectural and decorative purposes where aesthetics are as vital as structural integrity. The classification is determined by the chemical composition and the specific manufacturing process that ensures the whiteness of the final clinker.
- Covers
- White Portland cement for architectural use
- Artificially colored white Portland cement
- White cement used in pre-cast concrete production
- White masonry cement (if meeting Portland specifications)
- Also under 2523.21
- Aalborg White Cement
- Lehigh White Cement
- Lafarge White Cement
- Cemex White Cement
Codes often confused with 2523.21
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is under HS code 252329, which is the residual category for other Portland cements, including standard grey cement. Importers may also mistakenly use 252390 for "other hydraulic cements" if they do not recognize the product as a Portland variety. Furthermore, prepared mortars and concretes that contain white cement as a binder but are already mixed with aggregates should be classified under 382450 rather than 252321. Refractory cements are also distinct and fall under 3214 or 3816.
Top exporters and importers of HS 252321 (the code used for white Portland cement), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 252321 (the code used for white Portland cement) in UN Comtrade data was Türkiye, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 22% 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 252321, not only white Portland cement.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Türkiye $141M 19% of world exports
- 2 Egypt $78M 11% of world exports
- 3 Denmark $55M 7.5% of world exports
World total: $729M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $207M 22% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $58M 6.0% of world imports
- 3 France $47M 4.8% of world imports
World total: $960M 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 white Portland cement
Brazil classifies white Portland cement under NCM 2523.21.00: HS 2523.21 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product falls under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Importers to the EU must declare embedded carbon emissions and purchase CBAM certificates.
Questions about white Portland cement
What is the HS code for White Portland cement?
The HS code for White Portland cement is 252321 (Cement; portland, white, whether or not artificially coloured). The specific HS code for white Portland cement, including colored versions, is 252321.
How do I classify White Portland cement for customs?
White Portland cement is classified under HS code 252321 — Cement; portland, white, whether or not artificially coloured. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can colored cement be classified under this code?
Yes, as long as the base material is white Portland cement, it remains under 252321 even if it has been artificially colored with pigments.
Which countries are the top exporters of white Portland cement (HS 252321)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 252321 (the code used for white Portland cement) in UN Comtrade data were Türkiye ($141M, 19% of world exports), Egypt ($78M) and Denmark ($55M). World exports came to about $729M, 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 white Portland cement (HS 252321)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 252321 (the code used for white Portland cement) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($207M, 22% of world imports), the Netherlands ($58M) and France ($47M). World imports came to about $960M, 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 White Portland cement the same in all countries?
The base HS code 252321 for White Portland cement 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 white Portland cement in Brazil?
In Brazil, white Portland cement (HS 252321) is classified under NCM 2523.21.00.