Salt, Pure Sodium Chloride & Sea Water

Both food-grade and industrial-grade salt fall under HTS 2501000000 — the heading does not subdivide by end use at the 10-digit level. However, food-grade salt intended for human consumption may trigger FDA food facility registration requirements and Prior Notice obligations, while industrial salt for de-icing or chemical production does not. Importers should ensure labeling and documentation accurately reflect the intended use to avoid unnecessary FDA scrutiny.

Chemically pure sodium chloride (NaCl) with very high purity specifications — such as reagent-grade or pharmaceutical-grade material — is still classified here rather than in Chapter 28 (inorganic chemicals), because the heading explicitly includes pure sodium chloride. The distinction from Chapter 28 sodium chloride solutions or other preparations depends on form and concentration; a licensed customs broker can help confirm the correct heading when purity specifications are unusually high.