U.S. exports of Kaolin and Other Kaolinic Clays (Including Calcined) (HS 250700) totaled $46.5M in August 2026.
Importers of Kaolin and Other Kaolinic Clays (Including Calcined) paid $235K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 12.76% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Kaolin and Other Kaolinic Clays (Including Calcined) imports of $1.8M in August 2026 ran 117% above the year-to-date monthly average of $848K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataKaolin — also widely traded as china clay — is classified under a single 10-digit line (2507000000) whether raw or calcined, with calcination producing metakaolin used in cement and ceramics. The United Kingdom and Brazil are the leading US import sources, reflecting the globally significant deposits in Cornwall and the Brazilian state of Pará. Kaolin's primary commercial roles span paper coating and filling, ceramics, paint extenders, and rubber compounding, with calcined grades commanding premium pricing for their enhanced brightness and reactivity.
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69 import shipments a month
No. Both raw and calcined kaolin — including metakaolin — are classified under 2507000000. The calcination process does not move the product to a different heading, though it significantly affects the commercial grade, brightness specification, and end-use suitability, all of which should be documented in the commercial invoice.
Brightness (ISO or GE scale), particle size distribution (d50 and d90), viscosity, and moisture content are the standard commercial specifications. For paper-coating grades, brightness above 90 ISO is typically required. Calcined grades are additionally characterized by their surface area and reactivity, which matter for cement and refractory applications.
Subheading 1 of 1 in heading 2507
Subheading 250700 · $46.5M of $46.5M
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2507000000 | Kaolin and Other Kaolinic Clays, Wh/not Calcined | $1.8M | 12.76% | 99.24% | $235K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2507000000 | Kaolin and Other Kaolinic Clays, Wh/not Calcined | $46.5M |
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.
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ImportsExports
Imports
$1.8MYoY · free account
Exports
$46.5MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $9.4M of Kaolin and Other Kaolinic Clays (Including Calcined) and exported $539.5M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Exports · August 2026
destination
customs district
origin
entry
rate provision · imports
0.8% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 12.76% of imports for consumption.