Natural steatite — HTS 2526
Natural steatite, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape; talc
Chapter 25 › Heading 2526
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 2526 groups certain natural steatite and talc products. Steatite, sometimes called soapstone, may be included when it is unworked, roughly trimmed, or only cut by sawing or another method into rectangular or square blocks or slabs. The heading also covers natural talc, with the exact treatment depending on the product’s form and condition.
To narrow the heading to an 8-digit HTSUS code, first identify the material and then its physical state or type. The relevant subheading may distinguish steatite from talc and may further separate products by whether they are crude, roughly shaped, cut into blocks or slabs, powdered, or otherwise processed. Confirm the full 8-digit code in the current HTSUS and compare its wording with the merchandise as imported; a customs broker or classification specialist may be needed for unusual processing or mixed-material products.
What to check
- Confirm whether the product is natural steatite, natural talc, or another mineral mixture.
- Document the product’s physical form at import, including blocks, slabs, powder, flakes, granules, or other forms.
- Check how much processing occurred before import; polishing, machining, blending, or chemical treatment may affect classification.
- Use laboratory, supplier, or technical documents to verify mineral composition and product specifications.
- Read the complete 8-digit HTSUS description, including any subordinate provisions and relevant legal notes, rather than relying only on the heading title.
HTS heading 2526 summary
Natural steatite is a 4-digit product category containing 2 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2526.10.00.00 👉 | Not crushed, not powdered | Free | — | 0.6¢/kg |
| 2526.20.00.00 👉 | Crushed or powdered | Free | — | 35% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 2526?
Natural steatite, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape; talc. 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.