HS Code 2505
Natural Sands (Industrial and Construction)
HS code 2505 is used for natural sands of all kinds, including silica and quartz sands for industrial use, but excludes metal-bearing sands of Chapter 26.
4-digit Section VBulk
HS Code 2505 — Natural Sands (Industrial and Construction)
This code covers all types of natural sands, except those containing metal ores. It includes silica sand used for glassmaking, foundry sand for metal casting, and common river sand used in mortars and concrete.
What's included
- Silica sand
- Quartz sand
- River sand
- Lake sand
- Foundry sand
What's excluded
- Zircon sand → use
2615(Zircon sand is considered a metal-bearing ore.) - Tar sands → use
2714(Bituminous or tar sands fall under mineral fuels.)
Common examples
- High-purity silica sand for glass
- Frac sand for oil drilling
- Unprocessed river bed sand
- Construction sand for mortar
Frequently asked questions
Is beach sand included here?
Yes, natural beach sand for non-metal extraction purposes is covered by this heading.
Trade & shipping notes
- Typical duty range: 0% - 5%
- Documentation: Phytosanitary certificates may be required if the sand is considered part of 'soil'.
- Typical shipping mode: Bulk
- Top exporters: United States, Australia, Germany
- Top importers: China, Japan, Canada
Related HS codes
Key takeaway
Primary code for natural industrial sands, excluding those meant for metal extraction.
Related HS codes
Tired of HS code lookups?
CargoMode extracts HS codes directly from commercial invoices, packing lists, and CMRs — no manual lookup, no transcription errors.