WCO Explanatory Notes reproduced for reference. © World Customs Organization. Verify against official WCO publication.
25.26 Natural steatite, whether or not roughly trimmed or merely cut, by sawing or otherwise, into blocks or slabs of a rectangular (including square) shape; talc. 2526.10 2526.20 - Not crushed, not powdered - Crushed or powdered Both natural steatite and talc are mineral substances rich in hydrous magnesium silicate. The former is more compact and massive than talc. Talc is foliated and softer and soapier to the touch. Natural steatite of this heading may be sha ed or processed in the same ways as the stones of headin 25.15 (see the Ex lanatory Note to i a t heading) and may be submitted to the processes allowe by Note 1 to this hapter. Soapstone is a variety of natural steatite. i Talc of this heading may be submitted to the processes allowed by Note 1 to this Chapter. The more commonly met forms of talc are crude or powdered. The term " French chalk " is used to designate certain varieties of steatite or talc in powder form. The heading excludes " tailor's chalks " which are composed of steatite (heading 96.09).
1.- Except where their context or Note 4 to this Chapter otherwise requires, the headings of this Chapter cover only products which are in the crude state or which have been washed (even with chemical substances eliminating the impurities without changing the structure of the product), crushed, ground, powdered, levigated, sifted, screened, concentrated by flotation, magnetic separation or other mechanical or physical processes (except crystallisation), but not products which have been roasted, calcined, obtained by mixing or subjected to processing beyond that mentioned in each heading. The products of this Chapter may contain an added anti-dusting agent, provided that such addition does not render the product particularly suitable for specific use rather than for general use. 2.- This Chapter does not cover : (a) Sublimed sulphur, precipitated sulphur or colloidal sulphur (heading 28.02); (b) Earth colours containing 70 % or more by weight of combined iron evaluated as Fe O 2 3 (heading 28.21); (c) Medicaments or other products of Chapter 30; (d) Perfumery, cosmetic or toilet preparations (Chapter 33); (e) Dolomite ramming mix (heading 38.16); (f) Setts, curbstones or flagstones (heading 68.01); mosaic cubes or the like (heading 68.02); roofing, facing or damp course slates (heading 68.03); (g) Precious or semi-precious stones (heading 71.02 or 71.03); (h) Cultured crystals (other than optical elements) weighing not less than 2.5 g each, of sodium chloride or of magnesium oxide, of heading 38.24; optical elements of sodium chloride or of magnesium oxide (heading 90.01); (ij) Billiard chalks (heading 95.04); or (k) Writing or drawing chalks or tailors' chalks (heading 96.09). 3.- Any products classifiable in heading 25.17 and any other heading of the Chapter are to be classified in heading 25.17. 4.- Heading 25.30 applies, inter alia, to : vermiculite, perlite and chlorites, unexpanded; earth colours, whether or not calcined or mixed together; natural micaceous iron oxides; meerschaum (whether or not in polished pieces); amber; agglomerated meerschaum and agglomerated amber, in plates, rods, sticks or similar forms, not worked after moulding; jet; strontianite (whether or not calcined), other than strontium oxide; broken pieces of pottery, brick or concrete.