NAICS 3273 divides into cements (32731/327310) and wet, nonrefractory mortars and concretes (32732/327320). Cements cover hydraulic binders including Portland, aluminous, and slag cements, while the mortars and concretes grouping covers mixed or batched products ready for use in construction.

Cement is a high-density, low-value-per-ton commodity, so ocean freight and port handling costs represent a large share of the landed cost. This makes import competitiveness highly sensitive to shipping rates, port proximity, and bulk terminal availability — factors that often matter as much as the FOB price when evaluating foreign supply options.