U.S. exports of Fire Clay (Including Calcined) (HS 250830) totaled $2.8M in August 2026.
Importers of Fire Clay (Including Calcined) paid $11K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 10.55% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Fire Clay (Including Calcined) imports of $107K in August 2026 ran 84% above the year-to-date monthly average of $58K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataDefined by its high alumina content and ability to withstand temperatures exceeding 1,500°C without deforming, fire clay is a foundational raw material for refractory bricks, kiln furniture, and furnace linings used in steel, glass, and cement production. Canada leads US import supply, with China and Spain as secondary sources. The single tariff line (2508300000) covers both raw and calcined forms; calcined fire clay (grog) is a distinct commercial product used to control shrinkage in refractory mixes, and its processing state should be clearly stated on entry documentation.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
5 import shipments a month
Fire clay is characterized by its high alumina-to-silica ratio and its pyrometric cone equivalent (PCE) rating, which must typically exceed cone 19 (approximately 1,520°C) to qualify as a true refractory clay. Kaolin and ball clays may overlap in composition but are classified under their own headings (2507 and 2508.40 respectively). When the mineralogical character is ambiguous, a PCE test result or X-ray diffraction analysis can support the classification.
No — calcined fire clay (grog) remains classified under 2508300000 alongside raw fire clay. However, if the grog has been further processed into shaped refractory articles, it would move into Chapter 69. Importers should confirm the form and processing state with their supplier to ensure the correct heading is declared.
Subheading 3 of 6 in heading 2508
Subheading 250830 · $2.8M of $33.4M
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 250830 — Fire Clay (Including Calcined), so the companies trading it can find you. Be the first supplier listed.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2508300000 | Fire Clay, Whether or not Calcined | $107K | 10.55% | 85.91% | $11K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2508300000 | Fire Clay, Whether or not Calcined | $2.8M |
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.
ImportsExports
Imports
$107KYoY · free account
Exports
$2.8MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $596K of Fire Clay (Including Calcined) and exported $50.5M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Exports · August 2026
destination
Japan and Canada together take 65% of it.
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
14.1% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 10.55% of imports for consumption.