Natural Stone Customs Clearance

Customs clearance of stone is considered one of the most sensitive and complex processes in international trade. Stones, as a vital raw material in various industries including construction, architecture, and interior decoration, play a key role in global markets. Import and export of different stones such as marble, granite, travertine, basalt, and decorative stones require precise knowledge of customs clearance steps, international regulations, and mastery of customs tariffs.

For estimating the time and cost of clearing all types of building stones (marble, granite, travertine, basalt, etc.), contact the experts at Saba Tarkhis.

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Imported Stone Types and Their Applications

1. Marble

Applications: Thanks to its beauty and durability, marble is one of the most popular building stones. It is used for flooring, wall cladding, interior and exterior facades, and even sculpture. Its abrasion resistance and attractive colors make it an excellent choice for luxury spaces.

Customs tariff code: Raw or semi-processed marble is classified under code 25151200. If marble is in slab form, code 68029100 applies.

2. Granite

Applications: Due to its very high hardness and resistance to pressure and temperature changes, granite is used for flooring, stairs, exterior facades, and paving. It is also used in heavy structures such as bridges and dams.

Customs tariff code: Raw granite is 25161100. For sawn or processed granite, use 68022300.

3. Travertine

Applications: With its porous texture and water absorption, travertine is used for facades, flooring, and even in humid spaces like bathrooms and pools. Its natural appearance is highly favored by interior designers.

Customs tariff code: Raw or semi-processed travertine is 25161190, and processed travertine is 68022390.

4. Limestone

Applications: Limestone is widely used in construction, especially for producing cement and lime. It is also used for blocks and flooring and as a base material in roads and buildings.

Customs tariff code: Unprocessed limestone is recognized under 25210000.

5. Basalt

Applications: Owing to its high resistance to heat and pressure, basalt is used in industrial projects, road construction, and building roads and bridges. It is also used to produce refractory and high-strength materials.

Customs tariff code: Raw basalt is 25162000; processed basalt uses 68029300.

6. Onyx Marble

Applications: Due to its beautiful colors and distinctive translucence, onyx marble is among the most luxurious stones for interior decoration. It is used for interiors, flooring, and even decorative artifacts.

Customs tariff code: Onyx marble is recognized under 25151210.

7. Slate

Applications: Slate’s high resistance to moisture and abrasion makes it suitable for flooring, wall cladding, and outdoor paving.

Customs tariff code: Raw slate is 25140000; for processed/cut slate use 68030010.

8. Sandstone

Applications: Because it withstands harsh weather conditions, sandstone is used for building facades and outdoor paving.

Customs tariff code: Raw or semi-processed sandstone is 25169010, and cut sandstone uses 68022900.

9. Quartzite

Applications: Thanks to its hardness and high resistance, quartzite is used in flooring and interior/exterior facades and in refractory materials industries.

Customs tariff code: Raw quartzite is 25162010, and processed quartzite is 68029900.

10. Dolomite

Applications: Dolomite is widely used in construction, cement and lime production, as well as in chemical industries and glass manufacturing.

Customs tariff code: Raw dolomite is identified as 25181000.

Stone Type	Key Application	HS Code (Raw/Processed)
Marble	Luxury interiors / exterior facade	25151200 / 68029100
Granite	Floor/Stairs/Exterior	25161100 / 68022300
Travertine	Facade/Floor/Humid areas	25161190 / 68022390
Limestone	Cement/Blocks/Road	25210000
Basalt	Road building/Refractory	25162000 / 68029300
Onyx Marble	Luxury interiors/Decorative	25151210
Slate	Outdoor/Paving	25140000 / 68030010
Sandstone	Exterior facade/Paving	25169010 / 68022900
Quartzite	Floor/Facade/Refractory	25162010 / 68029900
Dolomite	Cement/Lime/Glass	25181000

Final classification depends on processing status, dimensions, surface finish, and end use.

Specific Conditions for Stone Import & Export

1. Quality and Standards

Import and export of building stones are carried out under strict international standards. These include physical criteria such as abrasion resistance, compressive strength, water absorption, and aesthetics. European and American countries usually have stricter rules on stone quality, especially when stones are used in major public construction projects. For example, the European Union enforces that imported stones comply with EN standards. These regulations cover quality criteria, processing and cutting methods, and even packaging and transportation. Non-compliance may result in seizure at the destination customs or eventual return to the country of origin.

2. Environmental Certificates

Quarrying can have serious environmental impacts, including ecosystem degradation and pollution. Therefore, many countries—especially in the EU and North America—require that imported stones meet environmental compliance. To enter these markets, it is essential to provide certificates proving that extraction aligns with environmental standards. Such certificates must be issued by reputable international bodies and demonstrate that extraction and processing are conducted without harming natural resources.

Import and Export Volumes to Iran

Iran is one of the largest exporters of building stones worldwide. In particular, travertine and marble are among Iran’s most popular exports, shipped to countries such as China, Italy, India, and Turkey. According to available statistics, Iran earns around USD 250 million annually from building-stone exports.

However, to meet domestic demand, Iran also imports certain types of stone. Granite and basalt account for the largest share of imports. These stones are imported from countries such as China, India, and Italy. Imports of specialty stones for modern and luxury architectural projects are also on the rise.

Global Stone Trade

The stone industry is one of the world’s largest, accounting for a substantial portion of international trade each year. The global turnover of building stones is estimated to exceed USD 8 billion annually. The largest exporters include China, India, Brazil, Spain, and Italy, collectively accounting for more than half of global exports. On the other hand, European countries and the United States are among the largest importers of building stones.

Top Stone Exporters Worldwide

China: As the largest exporter of building stones, China dominates exports of granite and marble.

India: With vast reserves of granite and colorful stones, India is a leader in natural-stone exports.

Italy: Renowned for marble and travertine from its famous quarries.

Spain: Holds a significant share thanks to extensive onyx and travertine resources.

Brazil: Highly active in producing and exporting granites, especially to the U.S. and Europe.

Top Stone Importers Worldwide

United States: The world’s largest importer of building stones, importing massive volumes annually from China, India, and Brazil.

Italy: Despite being a major exporter of marble and travertine, it also sources some of its needs from other countries.

Germany: Among the largest importers; most stones are imported from Spain and Italy.

France: Imports come from European countries as well as India and China.

Documents Required for Stone Customs Clearance

Clearing building and decorative stones from customs requires a set of precise documents. These are not only legally necessary for import/export, but also ensure the goods enter the destination country without issues.

1. Commercial Invoice

A key document for stone clearance, issued by the seller/exporter. It contains final price, number of packages, and stone type. The invoice is the basis for calculating duties and taxes.

2. Packing List

Provides detailed information on packaging: number of packages, gross and net weight of each package, etc. It helps customs assess and verify counts and weights.

3. Bill of Lading

Issued by the carrier and indicates ownership. It includes origin, destination, mode of transport, and cargo details. It serves as evidence of shipment and is a core requirement for clearance.

4. Certificate of Origin

Indicates the country from which the stone is exported. Usually issued by the exporter’s chamber of commerce and is necessary for tariff determination and preferential rates. In some cases, destination customs will not clear goods without it.

5. Standard Certificate

Depending on the destination, stones may need to meet specific standards. Some countries require standard certificates to ensure quality and compliance with international benchmarks. The U.S. and EU typically enforce stricter rules.

6. Environmental Certificates

In some cases, extraction/processing may impact the environment. Certain countries therefore require environmental certificates for stones whose extraction could harm ecosystems. These must prove compliance with environmental standards.

7. Order Registration Permit

The first step for importing any goods is registering the order in the relevant system. This permit indicates the goods are authorized for import. Without it, clearance will face serious issues.

8. Inspection Certificate

In some cases, an international inspection company must verify stones before import to confirm quality and compliance with destination standards. This certificate ensures suitable quality upon entry.

9. Customs Declaration

A primary document for clearance, containing detailed information such as type, quantity, value, weight, and HS code. Submitted by the importer or their legal representative and used to calculate duties and taxes.

10. Special Permits

Depending on the stone type or destination country, special permits may be required—e.g., from the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade or other authorities—usually for specific or specialized stones.

Need precise HS code classification, standard/environmental certificates, and document preparation? Our team manages the entire process end-to-end.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are common HS codes for stone types?

From the text: Marble 25151200/68029100, Granite 25161100/68022300, Travertine 25161190/68022390, Basalt 25162000/68029300, Slate 25140000/68030010, Sandstone 25169010/68022900, Quartzite 25162010/68029900, Dolomite 25181000.

Which documents are needed to clear stones from customs?

As listed: Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin, standard certificate, environmental certificates, order registration permit, inspection certificate, customs declaration, and special permits.

Which countries are the main exporters and importers of stone?

Exporters: China, India, Italy, Spain, Brazil. Importers: United States, Italy, Germany, France.

Multimedia Suggestions

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Alt Text: Natural Stone Customs Clearance in Iran | HS codes for Marble, Granite, Travertine
Caption: «The path to clearing stone: EN standards, environmental certification, and clearance documents»
Infographic: «HS code comparison and common stone applications + document checklist»

Summary & Call to Action

For fast and reliable clearance of all stone typesfully compliant with standards, environmental certificates, and required paperwork count on the experience of the Saba Tarkhis team.

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Specialized Customs Services by Saba Brokerage

With an experienced, specialized team for clearing building and decorative goods, we offer comprehensive services in this field. These include consulting, document preparation, accurate assessment, and swift follow-up of clearance stages, as detailed below:

Specialized consulting for order registration and obtaining import/export permits: Our seasoned experts help you complete all stages of order registration and obtain the required permitssuch as standard and environmental certificates quickly and completely.
Preparation and submission of customs documents: Required documents for stone clearance including bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, and certificates of origin are prepared and organized meticulously to ensure a smooth clearance process.
Accurate goods assessment and customs tariff determination: Based on each stone’s HS code and current regulations, our experts strive to optimize your customs costs and reduce unnecessary payments.
Expedited clearance procedures: Leveraging our experience at national customs, we complete all stone-clearance stages in the shortest possible time so your goods reach you without delay.

With these services, you can benefit from a fast, reliable, and cost-effective process for clearing all kinds of building and decorative stones. Our expert team is by your side to ensure every stage of import and export is handled in the best possible way.