2508.30.00.00 - Fire-clay

This HTS category, 2508.30.00.00, specifically covers fire-clay. Fire-clay is a type of refractory clay, characterized by its high alumina content and ability to withstand high temperatures without deforming. It is primarily used in the manufacture of refractories, such as bricks, crucibles, and furnace linings, where its heat-resistant properties are essential for industrial applications. The classification hinges on the material's intrinsic composition and its intended use in high-temperature environments.

Distinguishing fire-clay from its sibling categories within heading 2508 is crucial for accurate classification. While bentonite (2508.10.00.00) is known for its swelling properties and use as a binder, andalusite, kyanite, and sillimanite (2508.50.00.00) are distinct mineral species that transform into mullite upon calcination. Mullite (2508.60.00.00) itself is a product of calcining aluminosilicate minerals. Chamotte or dinas earth (2508.70.00.00) refers to calcined refractory clays, often used as aggregate in refractory materials. Fire-clay, therefore, stands apart by referring to the raw, high-alumina clay material before significant calcination or transformation into other specific refractory minerals.

As a leaf node, 2508.30.00.00 does not have further subcategories. Classification into this specific code relies on confirming that the material is indeed fire-clay, possessing the requisite physical and chemical properties for refractory applications, and is not classifiable under the more specific provisions for bentonite, andalusite, kyanite, sillimanite, mullite, or chamotte/dinas earth. Typical classification will involve an assessment of the material's alumina content, refractoriness, and suitability for producing heat-resistant articles.