HS 251520 Ecaussine and other calcareous monumental or building stone; alabaster
Quick Answer: HS code 251520 covers Ecaussine, other calcareous monumental or building stone, and alabaster, all typically in rough or merely cut form, intended for construction or decorative purposes. For importers into the UK and EU, the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) duty rate is 0.00% ad valorem, as per the UK Trade Tariff and EU TARIC. In the United States, the MFN duty rate is 50% ad valorem. However, significant duty reductions or duty-free entry (0.00%) are available under various Free Trade Agreements and preferential programs for eligible goods originating from countries such as Australia, Bahrain, Chile, Colombia, Israel, Jordan, Korea, Morocco, Oman, Panama, Peru, and Singapore, among others, as detailed by the USITC. Importers should verify origin and applicable trade agreements to optimize duty costs.
What Are the Import Duty Rates?
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
| Code | MFN | Preferential | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2515200000 | 0.00 % | — | — |
🇪🇺 European Union (TARIC)
| Code | MFN | Preferential | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2515200000 | 0.00 % | — | — |
🇺🇸 United States (HTSUS)
| Code | MFN | Preferential | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2515200000 | 3% | Free (17 programs) | ["t"] |
Special rates available under trade agreements including USMCA, KORUS, GSP.
Duty rates sourced from the USITC (US International Trade Commission) Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) (accessed 2/22/2026), EU TARIC – DG TAXUD (Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union) (accessed 2/22/2026), and UK Trade Tariff – HMRC (His Majesty's Revenue and Customs) (accessed 2/22/2026).
Data compiled and presented by HSRates.
Which Trade Agreements Reduce Duties for HS 2515.20?
Imports of Ecaussine and other calcareous monumental or building stone; alabaster may qualify for reduced or zero duty rates under free trade agreements and preferential programs. The overview below shows available preferential arrangements by jurisdiction, compiled by HSRates from official tariff and trade agreement data.
United States (HTSUS)
Free for USMCA, KORUS, GSP, and 14 other programs
European Union (TARIC)
Preferential rate data not yet available.
United Kingdom
Preferential rate data not yet available.
Preferential rates require proof of origin and may be subject to quotas or conditions. Always verify eligibility with a licensed customs broker.
Data compiled by HSRates.
Which Preferential Rates Apply to Your Origin Country?
Select an origin country to see if preferential rates apply.
Preferential rates based on available trade agreements. Actual rates may vary.
How to Classify This HS Code?
What products does HS 251520 cover?
This subheading covers ecaussine and other calcareous monumental or building stone, as well as alabaster, falling under Heading 2515 of the Harmonized System. Ecaussine is a type of hard, compact limestone, often used for monumental or building purposes due to its durability and aesthetic qualities. "Other calcareous monumental or building stone" encompasses various limestones and marbles specifically intended for use as decorative or structural elements in buildings and monuments, distinct from common crushed stone or aggregates. Alabaster, a fine-grained, massive form of gypsum or calcite, is also included here when used for similar monumental or building applications, as defined by the World Customs Organization (WCO) Explanatory Notes and reflected in the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and EU TARIC classifications.
What falls outside HS 251520?
The following products are excluded from HS 251520: common limestone, marl, and chalk of Chapter 25, which are typically used for industrial purposes, agricultural lime, or as raw materials for cement, rather than as monumental or building stone. Specifically, crushed stone, gravel, and macadam of heading 2517, even if calcareous, are excluded as they are primarily used as aggregates for concrete or road construction. Similarly, articles made from these stones, such as carved statues, finished building blocks, or tiles, are classified in Chapter 68, as they are no longer in their raw or roughly worked form. For instance, a finished marble statue would be classified under 6802, not 251520, as it has undergone significant processing beyond simple cutting or squaring.
What are common classification mistakes for HS 251520?
A common error is misclassifying common limestone or chalk intended for industrial use under HS 251520, which is specifically for monumental or building stone. Importers often overlook the "monumental or building" qualification, leading to incorrect classification of raw materials for cement or agricultural applications. Another frequent mistake involves classifying articles made from these stones, such as polished slabs, tiles, or carved elements, within this raw material heading. According to General Interpretative Rule (GRI) 2(a) and 6, goods that have undergone further processing beyond simple squaring or cutting into blocks, transforming them into finished or semi-finished articles, should be classified in Chapter 68. For example, a polished marble slab cut to size for a countertop is an article of 6802, not raw stone of 251520.
How should importers classify products under HS 251520?
The correct procedure for classifying products under HS 251520 involves a thorough assessment of the stone's type, intended use, and degree of processing. Importers and customs brokers should first confirm the stone is calcareous (e.g., limestone, marble, alabaster) and then verify its primary purpose is for monumental or building applications, not industrial or agricultural. Crucially, the stone must be in its raw, roughly squared, or simply cut form, not as a finished article. Consult the WCO Explanatory Notes for Heading 2515, and cross-reference with the USITC HTS and EU TARIC definitions to ensure consistency. If the stone has been further worked into a specific shape, polished, or combined with other materials, it likely falls under Chapter 68, requiring careful application of GRI 2(a) and 6 to determine the correct heading.
Which HS Codes Are Related?
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FAQ
What are the typical Most Favored Nation (MFN) duty rates for products classified under HS 2515.20 (Ecaussine and other calcareous monumental or building stone; alabaster) when imported into major markets?
The Most Favored Nation (MFN) duty rates for HS 2515.20 can vary significantly by importing country. For instance, the United States generally applies a duty rate of 0.00% ad valorem for products under HTSUS subheading 2515.20.00. Similarly, the European Union's TARIC database often shows a 0.00% ad valorem duty rate for imports of this heading. However, other countries may impose different rates. For example, some developing nations or specific trade policies might result in rates such as 3% ad valorem or even higher, up to 50% ad valorem in certain protected markets. Importers should always verify the specific duty rate applicable to their destination country using official customs tariff databases like the USITC HTSUS, EU TARIC, or the UK Trade Tariff.
Which preferential trade agreements offer duty-free access for HS 2515.20, and what documentation is required to claim these benefits?
Many preferential trade agreements offer duty-free access for products classified under HS 2515.20. For imports into the United States, duty-free treatment (indicated as 'Free' in the 'Special' column of the HTSUS) is available under various agreements, including but not limited to: the Australia Free Trade Agreement (AU), Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (BH), Chile Free Trade Agreement (CL), Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CO), Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA, 'D' for specific countries), Israel Free Trade Agreement (IL), Jordan Free Trade Agreement (JO), Korea Free Trade Agreement (KR), Morocco Free Trade Agreement (MA), Oman Free Trade Agreement (OM), Panama Trade Promotion Agreement (PA), Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PE), and Singapore Free Trade Agreement (SG). To claim these preferential rates, importers must provide a valid Certificate of Origin (e.g., a USMCA Certificate of Origin for imports from Mexico or Canada, or a Free Trade Agreement Certificate of Origin specific to the agreement) at the time of entry, demonstrating that the goods meet the rules of origin criteria outlined in the respective agreement. Failure to provide proper documentation will result in the application of the MFN duty rate.
What are the key classification criteria for distinguishing 'Ecaussine and other calcareous monumental or building stone; alabaster' under HS 2515.20 from other stone types?
The primary classification criteria for HS 2515.20 focus on the geological composition and intended use of the stone. 'Ecaussine' is a specific type of hard, compact, fossiliferous limestone. 'Other calcareous monumental or building stone' refers to various types of limestone, marble, travertine, and other calcium carbonate-based stones that are suitable for use as monumental or building stone, typically cut into blocks or slabs. 'Alabaster' specifically refers to a fine-grained, massive form of gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate) or, less commonly, a compact, banded form of calcite (calcium carbonate). The key distinction from other stone types (e.g., granite under HS 2516) lies in the calcareous (calcium carbonate) or gypsum composition. Importers should be prepared to provide geological reports or specifications confirming the stone's composition if requested by customs authorities, as misclassification can lead to penalties or delays. The WCO Explanatory Notes for Chapter 25 provide further guidance on these distinctions.
Are there any specific import documentation requirements beyond standard customs declarations for HS 2515.20, especially concerning environmental or health regulations?
For HS 2515.20, beyond standard customs declarations (e.g., commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/air waybill), specific documentation related to environmental or health regulations is generally minimal unless the stone has been treated with chemicals or contains hazardous materials. However, certain countries may require certifications related to radiation levels for natural stone, though this is more commonly associated with granite than calcareous stones or alabaster. For finished or semi-finished products derived from these stones (e.g., carved statues, countertops), additional documentation might be required to certify compliance with product safety standards or to declare the absence of certain restricted substances, depending on the end-use and destination market. Importers should consult the specific import regulations of the destination country's environmental protection agencies or health authorities, especially for large volume imports or if the stone is intended for sensitive applications.