HS Code 2520
Complete HS code 2520 reference for Egyptian gypsum + plaster exports — sub-headings 2520.10 (raw gypsum), 2520.20 (calcined plaster of Paris). Trade compliance, MFN duty by destination, grade-to-HS-sub-code mapping.
HS heading 2520 covers "Gypsum; anhydrite; plasters (consisting of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate) whether or not coloured, with or without small quantities of accelerators or retarders." Egypt is one of the world's five largest gypsum exporters by value — US$64.3 million in 2024 (UN Comtrade via WITS) — with deposits across Sinai, the Western Desert and the Red Sea coast deposits.
Market at a glance
HS heading
Value2520 — gypsum, anhydrite, plastersSource / yearHS nomenclatureSub-headings
Value2520.10 raw gypsum / anhydrite · 2520.20 calcined plaster of ParisSource / yearHS nomenclatureEgyptian exports, 2024
ValueUS$64.3 million, 5th in the world by value; Nigeria and Ghana the largest marketsSource / yearWorld Bank WITS, HS 2520.10Raw gypsum assays by form
ValueLump ≥ 90 % · crushed ≥ 92 % · granulated ≥ 90 % (S ≥ 18 %, Ca ≥ 22 %) · powder ≥ 95 % CaSO₄·2H₂OSource / yearTypical commercial grade — the lot value is on the CoAPlaster of Paris
Valueβ-hemihydrate, 80–200 mesh, initial set 4–10 min, final set 15–30 min, free water ≤ 0.5 %Source / yearTypical commercial grade — the lot value is on the CoAMFN duty — EU / USA / UK / Türkiye
Value0 % on both sub-headingsSource / yearIndicative — confirm in the destination tariff before quotingMFN duty — India / China / Brazil / GCC / Nigeria / Bangladesh / Indonesia
Value5 % · 3 % · 0–4 % TEC · 0–5 % · 5–10 % ECOWAS · 5–10 % · 5 %Source / yearIndicative — confirm in the destination tariff before quotingLoading ports
ValueAin Sokhna (EGSOK), Adabiya (EGADA), Suez (Sinai origin); Damietta (EGDAM), Alexandria (EGALY), El Dekheila (EGEDK) (Western Desert / delta origin)Source / yearEGG port network
Sub-headings
| Sub-heading | Coverage | Common form | End-use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2520.10 | Gypsum; anhydrite (raw natural rock + crushed) | Lumps, crushed 0-40mm, granulated, powder | Cement industry (5% addition), drywall input, fertilizer S-source |
| 2520.20 | Plasters (calcined gypsum, plaster of Paris) | 80-200 mesh white powder | Construction plaster, decorative casting, dental/medical, ceramic moulds |
Country-specific extensions
Typical MFN duty rates by destination
| Destination | 2520.10 (raw) | 2520.20 (plaster) | Preferential rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | 0% MFN | 0% MFN | 0% (EUR.1) |
| USA | 0% MFN | 0% MFN | MFN only — since 24 Jul 2026 Egyptian goods also carry +12.5 % under Section 301 (gypsum is not on CBP's exemption list) |
| UK | 0% MFN | 0% MFN | 0% (UK–Egypt Association Agreement) |
| India | 5% MFN | 5% MFN | varies |
| China | 3% MFN | 3% MFN | — |
| Brazil | 0% TEC | 4% TEC | 0% (Egypt-MERCOSUR) |
| Türkiye | 0% | 0% | 0% (Egypt-TR FTA) |
| Saudi Arabia | 0% MFN | 5% MFN | 0% (PAFTA) |
| UAE | 0% MFN | 5% MFN | 0% (PAFTA) |
| Nigeria | 5% ECOWAS | 10% ECOWAS | — |
| Bangladesh | 5% MFN | 10% MFN | — |
| Indonesia | 5% MFN | 5% MFN | — |
Egyptian gypsum specs by sub-code
2520.10 — Raw natural gypsum
| Form | Particle size | Typical use | Egyptian assay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lump | 0-300 mm | Cement set retarder, drywall feedstock | CaSO₄·2H₂O ≥ 90% |
| Crushed | 0-40 mm | Cement industry direct add | CaSO₄·2H₂O ≥ 92% |
| Granulated | 0-5 mm | Fertilizer S+Ca application | CaSO₄·2H₂O ≥ 90%, S ≥ 18%, Ca ≥ 22% |
| Powder | 0-200 mesh | Industrial filler, paint, plastics | CaSO₄·2H₂O ≥ 95% |
2520.20 — Plaster of Paris (calcined)
- β-Hemihydrate (most common) — CaSO₄·½H₂O, white powder, 80-200 mesh
- Initial set: 4-10 minutes
- Final set: 15-30 minutes
- Free water ≤ 0.5%
- Use: construction plaster, decorative casting, ceramic moulds
Specialty variants: dental plaster (controlled set, low impurity), pottery plaster (high absorption), Type 1-5 (USP/ASTM C28 grades for medical).
Supply options from EGG
| Product | Grade / spec headline | HS sub-code | MOQ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw gypsum rock | CaSO₄·2H₂O ≥ 85 % guaranteed floor, Sinai origin; lump, crushed 0–40 mm, granulated, powder | 2520.10 | 1,000 MT |
| Calcined gypsum — plaster of Paris | ≥ 90 % hemihydrate, 80–200 mesh | 2520.20 | 1,000 MT |
| Gypsum catalogue | CoA per lot before B/L, bulk or FIBC | 2520.10 / 2520.20 | 25 MT FCL |
| Gypsum & plaster market brief · construction applications · HS codes tool | — | — | — |
Egyptian gypsum origins
Loading ports
Sinai-sourced gypsum loads at: Ain Sokhna (EGSOK) + Adabiya (EGADA) + Suez (EGSUZ) — Red Sea Gulf of Suez side, closest to deposits.
Western Desert + delta-sourced gypsum loads at: Damietta (EGDAM) + Alexandria (EGALY) + El Dekheila (EGEDK).
Documentation per gypsum shipment
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading
- Certificate of Origin
- Mill Test Certificate / Assay Report (CaSO₄·2H₂O purity, moisture, free silica, NaCl, MgO)
- COA confirming end-use suitability (cement, fertilizer, drywall, etc.)
- SDS per CLP / GHS
- Country-specific: EUR.1 (EU), PAFTA (Arab markets), FCO for fertilizer-grade granular (India)
QA and reliability
Egypt Globe Group positions itself as your verified, long-term supply-chain ally: incorporated 2014 with an internal Quality Assurance division at its nucleus, ISO 9001:2015 across all divisions, and uncompromising QA verification from extraction to destination port. Every lot is tested at the loading-port laboratory and the Certificate of Analysis or Mill Test Certificate is issued before the Bill of Lading; lots outside specification are rejected at the loading port, never re-graded or renegotiated. Independent inspection by TÜV Austria, SGS, Intertek or Bureau Veritas (all ISO/IEC 17020 + 17025) is available on every shipment, laycans are run with documented NOR / SOF, and the specification is guaranteed at the port of loading under the sales contract — see inspection & quality control, trade documentation and quality & compliance. For gypsum the assay report (CaSO₄·2H₂O purity, moisture, free silica, NaCl, MgO) and the end-use suitability CoA are issued by the port laboratory before B/L, and the declared sub-code (2520.10 or 2520.20) follows the lot's actual form and assay.
Origin comparison: Egyptian vs Spanish gypsum, with 2024 export data by destination for both countries.
Egyptian gypsum market brief →
Browse our minerals catalog →
HS 2501 salt reference →
Ready for a quote?
FOB / CIF / CFR pricing from 7 Egyptian ports — turnaround once stock, laycan and freight are confirmed.
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Frequently asked questions
Under which HS headings is Egyptian gypsum and plaster under HS 2520 declared?
What are the MFN and preferential duty rates for Egyptian gypsum and plaster under HS 2520?
Which products match Egyptian gypsum and plaster under HS 2520?
What specification does Egyptian gypsum and plaster under HS 2520 meet?
From which ports does Egyptian gypsum and plaster under HS 2520 ship?
Other questions? Email our export desk — the export desk replies to every request.