Stone imports clear customs on HS Chapter 68 codes—worked stone under 6802, crude blocks under 2515/2516. In 2026, US importers use HTS codes with duties that vary by origin, and some sources carry Section 301 tariffs. A licensed broker prevents costly holds.

Which Codes Govern Stone Imports

Natural and worked stone sit mainly in HS Chapter 68 (articles of stone, plaster, cement). Crude or simply cut blocks fall under HS 2515 / 2516 (marble, travertine, granite). The exact subheading decides your duty rate, so the description on the commercial invoice must match the physical goods. A mismatch is the most common cause of a customs hold.

• 6802 — worked monumental and building stone (tiles, basins, slabs).
• 6801 — gravel, pebbles, crushed stone.
• 2515 / 2516 — crude marble/travertine and granite blocks.
• HTS — the US 10-digit extension used to assess duty.

Incoterms 2020 set who pays for freight, insurance, and duty—and they decide your real margin per square meter. FOB (Free On Board) keeps the seller responsible only until the stone crosses the ship’s rail at the origin port, so you book and control ocean freight and avoid the hidden markups a manufacturer buries in a CIF or DDP quote; CIF adds freight and basic insurance to your destination port but hides logistics transparency; DDP delivers to your door at the highest price with the least buyer oversight. Professionals therefore compare every offer on fully landed cost—product plus freight, insurance, terminal handling, duties, and inland delivery—never on slab price alone, and they lock the exact load port (for example “FOB Xiamen”) to prevent disputes over terminal fees.

Common Stone HTS Examples (US, indicative)

Documents Customs Expect

2026 Compliance Watch-outs

1. Origin matters: Section 301 additional tariffs can apply to stone from certain origins—confirm before quoting.
2. Describe accurately: “worked” vs “crude” changes the HTS and the rate.
3. Wood packaging: ISPM-15 fumigation is mandatory or the container is rejected.
4. Use a broker: a licensed customs broker prevents holds that cost far more than their fee.

Tie compliance to your packaging & QC checklist and your freight budget so the whole import is specified before deposit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What HS codes apply to stone imports?
Worked stone is mainly HS 6802 (tiles, basins, slabs); crude blocks are HS 2515 (marble/travertine) and 2516 (granite). The US uses 10-digit HTS extensions to set duty.

Do duties vary by origin in 2026?
Yes—base duty depends on the HTS, but additional tariffs such as Section 301 can apply to stone from certain origins, so confirm before you quote.

What documents does customs require?
A commercial invoice with HTS and origin, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, Packing List, and ISPM-15-marked wood packaging.

Why might a stone container be held?
The most common cause is an invoice description that does not match the goods (worked vs crude), triggering an HTS re-class and a duty dispute.

Do I need a customs broker?
Strongly recommended. A licensed broker prevents holds and mis-classification that cost more than the fee—see the wholesale guide for the full framework.

Glady Stone: Compliant Stone Exports

Glady Stone ships with accurate HTS descriptions, Certificates of Origin, and ISPM-15 packaging so your clearance is smooth.

Send your stone order spec to Glady Stone for a documentation-ready, FOB or CIF quote.

In 2026, customs compliance is a margin protector: classify accurately, document completely, and use a broker so the container clears instead of sitting in a costly hold.

More B2B Stone Buying Guides

• Natural Stone Wholesale in 2026: MOQ, FOB/CIF & Batch Quality Control
• FOB vs CIF: Which Shipping Term Fits Your 2026 Stone Import
• Container Freight Rates 2026: Budgeting Your Stone Import
• Export Packaging & Batch QC for Natural Stone Wholesale Orders (2026)