2516 - Granite, porphyry, basalt, sandstone and other monumental or building stone, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape:

This HTS category, 2516, encompasses natural stone primarily utilized for monumental or building purposes. It includes granite, porphyry, basalt, and sandstone, irrespective of whether they have undergone rough trimming or are simply sawn or otherwise processed into rectangular blocks or slabs. The defining characteristic of goods within this heading is their intended application as building materials or for monumental works, distinguishing them from other mineral products and stones not fit for such durable construction or decorative uses.

When classifying goods, it is crucial to differentiate HTS 2516 from other categories within Section V, particularly those covering crude minerals or decorative stones. For instance, rough, unworked geological specimens or stones primarily used for industrial abrasives would fall under different HTS headings. The key differentiator for 2516 is the inherent suitability and common use of the stone in construction and monumental projects, implying a certain level of processing and inherent physical properties.

Within HTS 2516, further subdivisions exist to provide more granular classification. These subcategories, such as 2516.10 for granite, 2516.20 for sandstone, and 2516.90 for other monumental or building stone, allow for the precise identification of the specific type of stone. This differentiation is important for trade statistics, tariff rate determination, and compliance with specific import/export regulations that may apply to different types of dimension stone.