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SITCSection 6
U.S. imports of expanded mineral materials (exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays, foamed slag) (SITC 66352) totaled $2.5M in April 2026, traded with 14 countries.
Importers of Expanded Mineral Materials (Exfoliated Vermiculite, Expanded Clays, Foamed Slag) paid $195K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 11% on $1.7M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Expanded Mineral Materials (Exfoliated Vermiculite, Expanded Clays, Foamed Slag) imports of $2.5M in April 2026 ran 21% above the year-to-date monthly average of $2.0M.
Last updated: April 2026 dataExfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays (such as lightweight aggregate), and foamed slag are heat-processed mineral materials whose expanded cellular structure gives them low density and insulating properties valued in horticulture, construction lightweight aggregate, and passive fire protection. Vermiculite in particular has a dual commercial identity — traded both as a horticultural growing medium and as an industrial insulation fill — and the end-use context can influence classification at the HTS level. Expanded clay aggregate (often marketed as LECA) is a growing import category driven by green-building and hydroponic applications.
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Both horticultural and industrial vermiculite in exfoliated form generally fall under this heading, but the grade, particle size, and packaging may influence the specific HTS subheading. Importers should confirm the intended use and physical specification with their customs broker, as some horticultural mineral media may trigger additional USDA APHIS review at the port of entry.
Lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) is produced by firing clay at high temperatures until it expands into porous pellets. It is used as a drainage layer in green roofs, as a hydroponic growing medium, and as lightweight structural fill. Growing demand from sustainable construction and urban farming has increased import volumes, with production concentrated in Europe and parts of Asia.
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| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| UNITED KINGDOM | $1.5M | $306K | -$1.2M |
| CANADA | $45K | $1.8M | +$1.7M |
| MEXICO | $688K | $542K | -$147K |
| ISRAEL | -- | $709K | +$709K |
| CHINA | $99K | $303K | +$204K |
Monthly import values over time