HS Code for Salt

Salt has its own dedicated provision in chapter 25 of the HTSUS, at heading 2501, which covers salt and pure sodium chloride of every type (table salt, rock salt, sea salt and industrial salt) whether or not in solution or containing added anticaking or free-flowing agents, along with sea water. Because there is a single heading for salt, the classification question is usually less about which subheading to choose and more about confirming the product is essentially salt rather than a seasoned or prepared food, a bath product, or another chemical. The general duty rate is Free. Confirming that the product is salt or pure sodium chloride is the first step in exploring the most appropriate line.

Salt points toward heading 2501 of the HTSUS, a dedicated one-heading provision within chapter 25 (salt; sulfur; earths and stone; plastering materials, lime and cement). The heading covers salt and pure sodium chloride regardless of source or grade (table salt, rock salt, sea salt, and industrial or de-icing salt all fall here), and it applies whether the salt is in aqueous solution or contains small amounts of added anticaking or free-flowing agents. Sea water is provided for in the same heading, so a single line, 2501.00, is the natural starting point.

The main branch here is not between subheadings but between salt itself and products that contain salt. Adding an anticaking or free-flowing agent, or presenting the salt in solution, does not move it out of heading 2501. What matters is whether the product is still essentially salt or has become a different, prepared product.

Seasoned and flavored salts are worth checking carefully. A blend where salt is mixed with herbs, spices or other seasonings (a seasoning blend or table-ready mixed seasoning) may point instead toward the mixed-condiments and seasoning provisions of chapter 21 (for example heading 2103) rather than the plain-salt line, because it has become a food preparation rather than salt. Similarly, bath salts and cosmetic salt preparations point toward the cosmetics and bath provisions of chapter 33, not heading 2501.

A practical way to approach it is to confirm first that the product is salt or pure sodium chloride (including salt with only anticaking or free-flowing agents added), and then note that salt of any source or grade points toward heading 2501. That sequence usually points toward a single most-appropriate line to explore, and it avoids reaching for the seasoning provisions of chapter 21 or the cosmetic provisions of chapter 33 when the specific salt heading applies.

The general duty rate for salt and pure sodium chloride under heading 2501 is Free, and it applies across table, rock, sea and industrial salt, including salt with added anticaking or free-flowing agents and salt in solution. Products that are no longer essentially salt (seasoning blends combining salt with herbs or spices, or bath and cosmetic salt preparations) may fall under chapter 21 or chapter 33 and can carry different rates, so confirming the product is plain salt is worthwhile. Preferential rates under free trade agreements would not change a rate that is already Free, but they remain relevant for any related products that fall outside heading 2501. These figures are estimates for general planning purposes only.