COMPLIANCE
HS Codes for Cat Litter Explained: Tofu vs Bentonite vs Silica
October 21, 2026
Why this code matters more than most buyers think
Two importers can buy identical cat litter from the same factory and end up paying different duty, clearing at different speeds, and filing different paperwork — purely because of the HS code written on the declaration.
That one line of six digits decides your duty rate, whether a permit or certificate is required, how customs inspects the shipment, and — when it is wrong — how many days your container sits at the port accruing demurrage.
Cat litter is classified by what it is made of, not what it is for
Customs does not classify cat litter as “pet supplies”. It classifies by material composition. This single fact explains most classification mistakes.
| MATERIAL | COMMONLY DECLARED UNDER* | BASIS |
|---|---|---|
| Plant-based (tofu, cassava, corn, pea fibre) | 1404 9090 00* | Vegetable products not elsewhere specified |
| Mineral clay (sodium bentonite) | 2508.10* | Bentonite, classified as a mineral clay |
| Silica gel (crystal litter) | Not consistent — confirm per destination* | Often treated as a prepared silica product; varies by country |
| Blended (plant + mineral) | Depends on which component dominates* | Must be confirmed with your broker |
* Reference values based on common practice in China-origin cat litter exports. The binding classification is always the one your customs authority accepts at your destination — confirm with your broker before you ship.
The four mistakes we see most often
- Assuming one code covers the whole category. Tofu and bentonite sit in completely different chapters. A supplier who gives you “the cat litter HS code” without asking what it is made of is guessing.
- Declaring a blend by the wrong component. A 70:30 tofu–bentonite blend can be classified either way depending on the destination and on how the commercial invoice describes it. This is where disputes start.
- Copying a code off someone else’s invoice. We have seen importers inherit a code from a previous supplier shipping a different material, and carry the error for years.
- Forgetting that the code can differ per destination. The same product can legitimately carry different codes in different countries. “It cleared fine last time in another market” is not a safe assumption.
What to ask any supplier before you place the order
- The exact code they declared on previous shipments to your country — not a generic answer.
- Whether the code changes with bag size, formula or blend ratio.
- A commercial invoice sample that states the code clearly.
- Which documents travel with the goods: certificate of origin, MSDS/SDS, packing list, and any test reports your market requires.
How we handle it on our side
Every shipment leaves with the code stated on the commercial invoice, and we will tell you what we declared on previous orders to your market so your broker has a real reference point to work from. We also ship the SDS and MSDS with your samples, so compliance checks can happen before you commit to a container rather than after it lands.
What we will not do is promise a duty rate we cannot control. Classification is a customs decision at your border — the useful thing a supplier can give you is accurate paperwork and honest precedent, and that is exactly what we provide.
Planning a shipment and unsure about the code? Tell us the material and your destination port, and we will send you the code we declared on comparable orders, plus the document set that went with it.