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HSChapter 25
U.S. imports of siliceous fossil meals & earths with specific gravity of 1 or less (HS 251200) totaled $1.2M in April 2026, traded with 12 countries.
Importers of Siliceous Fossil Meals & Earths with Specific Gravity of 1 or Less paid $27K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 15% on $183K in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Siliceous Fossil Meals & Earths with Specific Gravity of 1 or Less imports of $1.2M in April 2026 ran 42% above the year-to-date monthly average of $853K.
Last updated: April 2026 dataSiliceous fossil meals and earths — most notably diatomite (diatomaceous earth) and kieselguhr — are ultralow-density amorphous silica materials classified under 2512000000, defined by a specific gravity at or below 1. Their unique porous microstructure makes them indispensable as filtration aids in food and beverage processing, as functional fillers in paints and coatings, and as carriers for pesticides and catalysts. The specific gravity threshold is the key classification criterion, distinguishing these materials from denser silica minerals such as quartz or cristobalite.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
The specific gravity limit of 1 or less is the defining physical criterion that places diatomite and similar fossil silica materials in HTS 2512000000, separating them from heavier crystalline silica minerals. Importers should have density test data available, as CBP may request it to confirm classification, particularly for processed or calcined grades whose density can approach the boundary.
Diatomaceous earth is commercially traded in natural (uncalcined), calcined, and flux-calcined grades, each offering different filtration efficiency and purity. While all grades that meet the specific gravity criterion fall under 2512000000, flux-calcined material has higher crystalline silica content, which carries occupational health implications and may require additional documentation for end-use customers in food processing applications.
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CANADA | $911K | $1.0M | +$119K |
| ITALY | $20K | $1.4M | +$1.4M |
| GERMANY | $91K | $628K | +$536K |
| UNITED KINGDOM | -- | $439K | +$439K |
| SOUTH AFRICA | -- | $351K | +$351K |
Supplier Network
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Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2512000000 | SILICEOUS FOSSIL MLS& EARTHS,SPECIFIC GRAVITY LT=1 | $1.2M | 14.63% | $27K |
SILICEOUS FOSSIL MLS& EARTHS,SPECIFIC GRAVITY LT=1
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2512000000 | SILICEOUS FOSSIL MLS& EARTHS,SPECIFIC GRAVITY LT=1 | $6.3M |
SILICEOUS FOSSIL MLS& EARTHS,SPECIFIC GRAVITY LT=1
5.0K t
PORTLAND CEMENT EXCEPT WHITE PORTLAND CEMENT
HS 252329
SULFUR OF ALL KINDS, NOT SUBLIMED,PRECIP,COLLOIDAL
HS 250300
SALT INCL TBL/DENTRD, PURE SODM CHLOR ETC; SEA WTR
HS 250100
UNGRND NAT CAL PHSPH, ALUM CAL PHOS A PHOS CHALK
HS 251010
FLUORSPAR OV 97% OF CALCIUM FLUORD BY WGHT
HS 252922
PEBBLES, GRAVEL ETC. FOR CONCRETE AGGREGATES ETC.
HS 251710
| State | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | -- | $3.2M | +$3.2M |
| California | $123K | $2.4M | +$2.2M |
| Georgia | $190K | $225K | +$35K |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAKLAND, CA | -- | $2.8M | +$2.8M |
| LONG BEACH, CA | -- | $1.2M | +$1.2M |
| HOUSTON, TX | $2K | $548K | +$546K |