Portland cement — HTS 2523
Portland cement, aluminous cement, slag cement, supersulfate cement and similar hydraulic cements, whether or not colored or in the form of clinkers
Chapter 25 › Heading 2523
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 2523 is a four-digit product category for hydraulic cements: cement that hardens when mixed with water. It groups Portland cement, aluminous cement, slag cement, supersulfate cement, and similar hydraulic cements. The heading also covers these products whether or not they are colored and whether they are shipped as finished cement powder or as clinkers, the partially processed pieces made before grinding.
To reach the correct eight-digit HTSUS code, first identify the cement’s technical type and physical form, then follow the subheadings and statistical breakouts under heading 2523. The decisive details commonly include whether the product is Portland, aluminous, slag-based, supersulfate, or another hydraulic cement; whether it is clinker or ground cement; and, where the tariff provides a further distinction, the product’s composition or other described characteristics. Use the current HTSUS wording and verify that the product’s technical documentation matches the selected code.
What to check
- Obtain the product’s technical data sheet, specification, and laboratory or manufacturer description before classifying it.
- Confirm whether the shipment is clinker or finished cement, and identify the cement’s recognized technical type.
- Read every subheading under 2523 in order; do not select an eight-digit code based only on a commercial name or brand.
- Check the ingredients and manufacturing process, especially any slag, aluminous material, or other component that may determine the tariff distinction.
- If the product is blended, unusual, colored, or marketed under a nonstandard description, ask a customs broker or request a formal classification ruling.
HTS heading 2523 summary
Portland cement is a 4-digit product category containing 3 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2523.10.00.00 👉 | Cement clinkers | Free | — | $1.32/t, including weight of container |
| 2523.30.00.00 👉 | Aluminous cement | Free | — | $1.32/t, including weight of container |
| 2523.90.00.00 👉 | Other hydraulic cements | Free | — | $1.32/t, including weight of container |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 2523?
Portland cement, aluminous cement, slag cement, supersulfate cement and similar hydraulic cements, whether or not colored or in the form of clinkers. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.