Harmonized System
U.S. imports of Other Articles of Stone or Mineral Substances (NESOI) (HS 681599) totaled $22.0M in August 2026, imported from 57 countries.
Importers of Other Articles of Stone or Mineral Substances (NESOI) paid $2.3M in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 10.46% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Other Articles of Stone or Mineral Substances (NESOI) imports of $22.0M in August 2026 ran 12% above the year-to-date monthly average of $19.7M.
Last updated: August 2026 dataA broad residual category, heading 681599 captures manufactured articles of stone or other mineral substances not covered by more specific headings in Chapter 68, including talc-steatite shapes, high-magnesia chemically bonded articles, and miscellaneous mineral composites. The US schedule includes four 10-digit lines: 6815990100 (general NESOI), 6815992000 (talc-steatite cut or sawed), 6815994110 (articles of stone with over 70% MgO, under 30% carbon, chemically bonded), and 6815994170 (remaining NESOI). Canada and South Korea lead US imports, with Germany, China, and Mexico also prominent. The heading's residual nature means classification here requires confirming that no more specific heading in Chapters 68 or 69 applies.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
1.3K import shipments a month
Talc-steatite articles (6815992000) are specifically cut, sawed, or otherwise shaped from natural steatite (soapstone), a dense talc-rich rock valued for its machinability and thermal resistance. They are used in electrical insulation, laboratory equipment, and high-temperature applications. Other mineral articles in this heading (6815990100 and 6815994170) cover a wider range of mineral compositions and manufacturing methods. The key classification factor for steatite is that the article is shaped from the natural mineral rather than formed from a processed mineral powder or composite.
The primary distinction between Chapter 68 and Chapter 69 is whether the article has been fired (calcined or sintered) to produce a ceramic product. Fired ceramic articles belong in Chapter 69, while non-fired or chemically bonded mineral articles generally remain in Chapter 68. If the manufacturing process involves kiln firing at temperatures that produce a ceramic bond, Chapter 69 should be considered first. When the process is ambiguous, requesting a binding ruling from CBP or consulting a licensed customs broker is the recommended approach.
Subheading 2 of 7 in heading 6815
Subheading 681599 · $22.0M of $92.7M
Trade Directory
List your company under HS 681599 — Other Articles of Stone or Mineral Substances (NESOI), 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6815994170 | Artcls of Stone or Oth Minrl Sbstncs NESOI | $21.5M | 10.26% | 69.94% | $2.2M |
| 6815992000 | Tlc Stea A Spstn Cut or Sawed Etc | $426K | 18.23% | 99.24% | $78K |
| 6815994110 | Art of Stne, Gt 70%mgo, W< 30% Cbn, Chem Bnd Resn Nes | $116K | 19.34% | 100.00% | $22K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 6815990100 | Oth Articles of Stone or Oth Min Substnces NESOI | $11.3M |
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
$22.0MYoY · free account
Exports
$11.3MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $234.5M of Other Articles of Stone or Mineral Substances (NESOI) and exported $137.1M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · August 2026
origin
South Korea and Canada together supply 45% of it. China pays 36.5% duty; Canada <0.1%.
customs district
entry
rate provision · imports
29.3% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 10.46% of imports for consumption.