Natural Sodium Bentonite Clay
A naturally occurring sodium-based bentonite clay mined from volcanic ash deposits, used primarily as a drilling mud additive in oil and gas exploration. It falls under HTS 2508.10.00.00 as unprocessed bentonite clay, distinct from expanded clays or other minerals excluded by chapter notes.
Import Duty Rates by Country of Origin
Alternative Classifications
This product could be classified differently depending on its characteristics or intended use.
If containing 70%+ combined iron as Fe2O3
High iron content earth colors are excluded from clays and classified under mineral earths in heading 2530 per chapter note (b).
If expanded or puffed during processing
Expanded clays like puffed bentonite for lightweight aggregates fall under heading 6806, excluded from Chapter 25 clays.
If in pebbles, gravel, or crushed rock form
Chapter note prioritizes heading 2517 for pebbled/granular pebbles over other clay classifications.
Not sure which classification is right?
Our AI classifier can analyze your specific product and recommend the correct HTS code with confidence.
Import Tips & Compliance
• Verify mineral composition via lab testing to confirm bentonite content and avoid misclassification as earth colors under heading 2530
• Provide geological origin certificates and ensure no chemical modifications to qualify as raw clay under Chapter 25
• Check for radioactive contaminants common in natural clays; include assay reports to prevent customs holds
Related Products under HTS 2508.10.00.00
Calcium Bentonite Powder
Fine-ground calcium bentonite clay suitable for animal feed binders and soil amendments, retaining its natural colloidal properties. Classified under HTS 2508.10.00.00 as bentonite, whether or not calcined but excluding medicaments or processed forms noted in exclusions.
High-Swelling Bentonite for Drilling
Premium Wyoming sodium bentonite with high swelling capacity, supplied in bulk for preparing water-based drilling fluids in oilfield operations. HTS 2508.10.00.00 covers this unexpanded, raw bentonite clay explicitly in the clays subheading.
Calcined Bentonite Clay
Bentonite subjected to controlled calcining to enhance adsorption properties for foundry sand bonding, still classifiable as clay under the heading allowing calcined forms. Excluded items like dolomite mixes (3816) do not apply to this pure mineral product.
Bentonite for Cat Litter Base
Granular sodium bentonite clay serving as the absorbent core material for clumping cat litters, imported in bulk for further processing. HTS 2508.10.00.00 applies to this unprepared clay, not final consumer preparations excluded to other chapters.
Foundry Grade Bentonite
Selected bentonite with optimal montmorillonite content for green sand molding in metal casting foundries. As a raw, unexpanded clay, it precisely matches HTS 2508.10.00.00 specifications in the clays hierarchy.
Agricultural Bentonite Sealant
Coarse sodium bentonite pellets for pond liners and irrigation canal sealing in farming applications. Remains under HTS 2508.10.00.00 as unprocessed bentonite clay, not fabricated into setts or excluded products.