U.S. exports of Bentonite (Including Calcined) (HS 250810) totaled $17.2M in August 2026.
Importers of Bentonite (Including Calcined) paid $77K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 6.98% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Bentonite (Including Calcined) imports of $1.1M in August 2026 ran 21% below the year-to-date monthly average of $1.4M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataBentonite's swelling and sealing properties — driven by its smectite clay mineral content — make it indispensable for drilling mud in oil and gas operations, foundry sand bonding, landfill liners, and cat litter. Mexico is the leading US import source under this heading, followed by China and Canada. The single 10-digit line (2508100000) covers both natural and calcined forms, though sodium-activated (Wyoming-type) and calcium bentonite carry distinct performance profiles that buyers specify separately in commercial contracts.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
164 import shipments a month
Sodium bentonite swells significantly when hydrated and is preferred for drilling fluids, pond liners, and foundry bonding. Calcium bentonite swells less and is more commonly used in absorbent and clarification applications. Both types are classified under the same 10-digit line (2508100000); the distinction is commercial and specification-driven, not a classification boundary.
For drilling-grade bentonite, buyers often reference API 13A specifications in purchase contracts, and suppliers may provide certificates of conformance. While these documents are not required by CBP for entry, they support the declared end use and can be relevant if the material is subject to antidumping review or if the importer seeks to establish product specifications for duty drawback or other purposes.
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Subheading 1 of 6 in heading 2508
Subheading 250810 · $17.2M of $33.4M
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2508100000 | Bentonite, Whether or not Calcined | $1.1M | 6.98% | 26.70% | $77K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2508100000 | Bentonite, Whether or not Calcined | $17.2M |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
Exports · August 2026
destination
Canada and Saudi Arabia together take 44% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
73.3% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 6.98% of imports for consumption.
ImportsExports
Imports
$1.1MYoY · free account
Exports
$17.2MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $14.8M of Bentonite (Including Calcined) and exported $166.7M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.