Natural barium sulfate (barytes); natural barium carbonate (witherite), whether or not calcined, other than barium oxide of heading 2816
3 declarable lines
Heading 2511 covers two natural barium minerals: natural barium sulfate, called barytes or barite, and natural barium carbonate, called witherite. Both stay in the heading whether or not they have been calcined, but barium oxide of heading 2816 is excluded. The heading splits three ways: ground barytes, other barytes, and witherite.
Products in this heading
- Ground barytes powder used as a weighting agent in drilling mud
- Ground barytes used as an extender or filler in paint
- Barytes lump or crude ore that has not been ground
- Calcined barytes for glass and chemical use
- Witherite used in glass and ceramic production
- Witherite sold as a chemical feedstock for barium compounds
- Barytes aggregate used in radiation-shielding concrete
How to choose the right subheading
- Identify the mineral: barium sulfate (barytes) or barium carbonate (witherite).
- For barytes, decide whether the goods are ground or in another form such as lump or crude.
- Confirm the goods are natural mineral products, not chemically precipitated barium sulfate.
- Confirm the goods are not barium oxide, which is excluded from the heading.
- Check whether the goods are sold as aggregate or ballast, which points to heading 2517 instead.
Often confused with
- Heading 2833Precipitated barium sulfate (blanc fixe) made by chemical reaction
Synthetic sulfates are classified as chemicals, not as natural mineral products.
- Heading 2816Barium oxide and barium hydroxide
Heading 2511 explicitly excludes barium oxide of heading 2816.
- Heading 2517Crushed barite sold as concrete aggregate or road ballast
Stone in aggregate or ballast form is classified by use under heading 2517.
- Heading 2520Gypsum and anhydrite
Calcium sulfate minerals are a separate chapter 25 heading.
- Heading 2530Celestite (natural strontium sulfate)
Barium-free mineral substances not named elsewhere fall in the residual heading.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HTS code for ground barytes?
Ground natural barium sulfate is classified under 2511.10.10.00. The general (MFN) rate for that line is Free.
What is the duty on barytes that is not ground?
Barytes other than ground falls under 2511.10.50.00. The general (MFN) rate is $1.25/t.
What is the HTS code for witherite?
Natural barium carbonate, whether or not calcined, is classified under 2511.20.00.00. The general (MFN) rate for that line is Free.
Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.