Sectors / Customs Procedures for Natural Stone Export
Customs Procedures for Natural Stone Export
In natural stone export, the customs system's first distinction is not the type of stone but its degree of processing: raw blocks, cut blocks, and finished slabs fall under different GTİP headings, each requiring its own set of documents. Add to that the CE/EN or ASTM standard the target market requires, plus the movement certificate route. ACR Gümrük Müşavirliği plans classification and documents separately for each stone type.
Natural stone is not a single commodity — it's a family. Marble, travertine, granite, onyx, basalt, and slate don't come off the same shelf; each is assessed by its own density, its own use, and its own tariff heading at customs. For an exporter, "natural stone export" is not a single GTİP code — it's a classification map that shifts with the stone's type and degree of processing.
The second layer is the degree of processing. A raw block straight from the quarry, a block cut to size, and a slab cut and polished at the factory do not pass through the same gate at customs; each stage has its own documentation and sometimes its own duty rate. Which tier a shipment falls into is determined by the product's photograph and technical description, not by the stone's name.
The third layer is market access. The same stone type meets a different set of documents and standards depending on the destination country: European building-material regulation requires the CE mark and an EN standard, the North American market looks for an ASTM test report, and in the Gulf market the buyer's own technical specification is often the deciding factor. An exporter preparing three different document files for the same product going to three different markets is a routine part of natural stone export; trying to get by with a single document set delays the shipment.
This page is organised around stone type and market access. For a single product's own operational details — such as the measurement and weight record for a block of marble — see our marble export page; the rules for exporting minerals and ores other than stone are a separate topic, see our mineral export page. For the general process flow, see our export customs clearance page.
Customs Procedures for Natural Stone Export — What We Pay Attention to in the Process
GTİP classification by stone type
Marble and travertine fall under Chapter 25, heading 2515; granite, porphyry, and basalt fall under the same chapter but a separate heading, 2516. Slate, in turn, has its own heading. Onyx is usually classified in the same group as marble, but some uncut decorative limestone varieties can fall under a different subheading. The practical result for an exporter: two different stone types from the same quarry can be declared under different GTİP lines even on the same invoice. If the stone type isn't clearly stated in the technical description, whoever prepares the declaration may rely on the trade name and pick the wrong heading.
The documentation gap between block, cut-block, and slab tiers
Raw or roughly hewn block, block cut to specific dimensions, and slab processed and polished at the factory are three separate tiers at customs. For a block shipment, the leading document is the measurement and weight record; for a cut block, a thickness range is added; for a processed slab, a technical specification report comes into play, and often the target market's product standard as well. It's not unusual for the same exporter to ship both raw block and processed slab in one container, and in that case two different GTİP lines and two different document sets run side by side in a single declaration. If the tiers get mixed up, the risk isn't a delay at inspection — it's a GTİP dispute.
Which products need the CE mark and EN standard
For processed stone shipments to the European Union (cladding panels, floor tiles, countertops, and similar building-material products), the CE mark and Declaration of Performance (DoP) are required. EN 1469 applies to façade and interior cladding panels, and EN 12058 to flooring and paving; both require the stone's water absorption, compressive strength, and freeze-thaw resistance to be documented with a test report. These standards aren't required for raw block export, because a block isn't yet a finished building product — the standard kicks in once the stone is processed into a building material at the factory. Whether the buyer wants EN 1469 or EN 12058 depends on whether the product will be used as cladding or flooring, and this needs to be clarified at the order stage.
ISPM-15: it's the packaging, not the stone, that causes problems
Wooden blocking, pallets, and crates are commonly used to secure natural stone shipments inside the container, and this material counts as packaging too. Many countries require ISPM-15-marked, heat-treated wood on import; unmarked timber can hold up a shipment at the destination port even if the stone itself is flawless. This rule applies to every natural stone shipment using wood, regardless of whether it's block, cut block, or processed slab — it doesn't vary by stone type.
The VGM requirement for containerised shipments
Because natural stone is a high-density cargo, a verified gross mass (VGM) declaration is mandatory for every container shipment by sea; this is a SOLAS-based obligation required by the carrier, applied regardless of stone type. How this declaration is produced together with the measurement record for block marble is a separate, more detailed topic; what matters here is that the VGM declaration is a step that shouldn't be skipped in natural stone shipments generally.
How the origin/movement certificate changes by target market
In natural stone export, which movement or origin certificate is issued is determined not by the type of stone but by the buyer's country: shipments to the EU need the A.TR movement certificate, markets with a free trade agreement need EUR.1 or a statement on origin, and other markets need a certificate of origin. For processed stone shipments to the North American market, an ASTM test report (the US standard for the stone's physical properties) may be requested instead of CE/EN — meaning the same product may need to be documented with two different test reports for two different markets.
When confusion over stone type turns into a GTİP error
It's not unusual for a stone sold on-site as "granite" to not actually be granite geologically, or for a limestone marketed as "onyx" to fall under a different tariff heading; commercial naming and customs classification don't always line up. This gap may look trivial to the exporter, but it directly affects the GTİP choice for whoever prepares the declaration. For borderline products, determining the classification through a technical description, a geological report, and, if needed, a sample is more reliable than carrying the commercial name straight into the customs declaration.
When the technical report and standard requirement isn't settled at the order stage
A buyer ordering processed stone usually doesn't finalise which test report they want when the contract is written — they finalise it after the goods are ready, which means whether EN 1469, EN 12058, or ASTM is required can surface at the last minute. The test report must be obtained from an accredited laboratory, a process that takes days; requesting it close to the shipping date risks missing the vessel's cut-off time. Which standard applies to which product group, and how long the test will take, should be discussed as soon as the order is confirmed.
Sample shipments are their own export transaction
When a buyer requests a small stone sample before placing an order, this shipment may not look like a commercial one, but it still requires a separate customs declaration; the sample being free of charge doesn't remove the customs obligation. For sample shipments, the GTİP is still determined by stone type — only the quantity and value are small. Skipping it can create inconsistencies with the declaration for the main shipment later on.
Putting colour and pattern variation in writing in the contract
Natural stone isn't a mass-produced material; even two blocks from the same quarry can differ in vein and colour intensity. When ordering, the buyer refers to a photograph or a panel from a previous shipment, but by the nature of natural stone, the new shipment may not look identical. This difference isn't a manufacturing defect; including a clause in the contract stating that "natural stone colour/pattern variation is accepted," and ideally describing an acceptable tolerance range, prevents disputes after delivery. This comes up more often in processed slab export than in block export, because the buyer is purchasing the final appearance.
Typical GTİP Classification by Stone Type
| Stone type | GTİP | Product form | Typical target market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marble, travertine (raw/roughly hewn) | 2515.11 | Raw or roughly hewn block | EU, Gulf, North America |
| Marble, travertine (cut block/slab) | 2515.12 | Block cut to thickness or thick slab | EU, North America |
| Onyx, decorative limestone (ecaussine family) | 2515.20 | Raw or processed decorative limestone | Same heading as marble (2515) but a separate subheading — not declared on the same line |
| Granite | 2516.11 | Raw or roughly hewn block | EU, North America, Far East |
| Slate | 2514.00 | Raw block or rectangular slab | EU |
| Processed marble/travertine product | 6802.21 | Cut, polished, or carved finished product | EU, Gulf, North America |
How the Natural Stone Export Process Works
- 1The stone type (marble, travertine, granite, onyx, basalt, slate) and degree of processing (raw block, cut block, processed slab) are clarified; GTİP is determined accordingly.
- 2The target market's standard is determined: CE mark and the relevant EN standard for the EU, ASTM for North America, and the buyer's requested test report for other markets.
- 3The document route is decided based on the buyer's country: A.TR, EUR.1, or certificate of origin; exporters' association registration and approval steps are planned.
- 4The document set is prepared for the product's tier: measurement and weight record for block, technical specification report and, if applicable, declaration of performance for processed product.
- 5If wooden packaging is used, ISPM-15-marked material is sourced and loading is planned accordingly.
- 6For containerised sea shipments, the verified gross mass (VGM) declaration is submitted and the container is delivered to the terminal.
- 7The export declaration is registered and the process proceeds according to the inspection line; after departure, the document set is completed to close the declaration.
Required Documents for Natural Stone Export
- Technical description showing stone type and degree of processing (including photographs)
- Measurement and weight record for block/cut products; technical specification report for processed product
- CE mark and Declaration of Performance (DoP) for building-material-grade stone shipped to the EU
- ASTM test report for processed products shipped to the North American market (if requested by the buyer)
- A.TR movement certificate, EUR.1, or certificate of origin depending on the target market
- Registration and approval from the relevant Exporters' Association
- ISPM-15-marked packaging / heat-treatment record, if wooden packaging is used
- Verified gross mass (VGM) declaration for containerised sea shipments
Factors That Determine Timing in Natural Stone Export
- The stone's type and degree of processing; GTİP determination and the document set change accordingly
- The standard the target market requires: CE/EN, ASTM, or a buyer-specific test report
- Mode of transport: containerised sea freight, or road freight toward Europe
- The inspection line the declaration falls into, and physical inspection planning if required
- Sourcing and approval of the movement/origin certificate based on the buyer's country
- Extra classification work when the trade name doesn't match the customs classification
- Port congestion, terminal appointment, and the vessel cut-off time
- Season: increased shipment volume during construction and trade-fair periods
At a Glance
- In natural stone, the tariff heading changes not by the stone's name but by its type and degree of processing: marble and travertine fall under 2515, granite and basalt under 2516, and slate under a separate heading.
- For building-material-grade processed stone products shipped to the EU, the CE mark is required; EN 1469 is the basis for the test report on cladding panels, EN 12058 for floor tiles.
- Raw or roughly hewn block doesn't require the CE/EN standard; this requirement kicks in once the stone is processed into a finished building product at the factory.
- Wooden blocking and pallets count as packaging in natural stone shipments too; many countries require ISPM-15-marked, heat-treated wood on import.
- For natural stone shipments to the EU, the A.TR movement certificate applies; for countries with a free trade agreement, EUR.1 or a statement on origin applies — the choice of document depends on the target market, not the stone type.
- ACR Gümrük Müşavirliği manages GTİP determination, the standard/document route, and the export declaration for natural stone export under one roof, based on stone type and degree of processing; operations run across Türkiye, primarily in Antalya and Izmir.
- Under Harmonized System classification, marble/travertine falls under 2515.11-12, granite under 2516.11, slate under 2514.00, and onyx/decorative limestone under 2515.20; the processed product moves to 6802.21.
Related Services
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the declaration handled if we ship both block and processed slab in the same shipment?+
Because the two products fall under different GTİP chapters, two separate lines are opened in the declaration, and each line gets its own document set (measurement/weight record for block, technical specification report for slab). Keeping the two tiers clearly separated instead of mixing them reduces the risk of a GTİP dispute at inspection.
Which products need the CE mark, and which don't?+
The CE mark is required for processed stone products shipped to the EU and used as building materials (such as cladding panels and floor tiles); the test report, in turn, is prepared to EN 1469 for cladding and EN 12058 for flooring. Raw or roughly hewn block doesn't need this, because a block isn't yet a finished building product.
What's the difference between ASTM and CE/EN — do we need both?+
CE/EN is the European market's test standard, ASTM is North America's; if the same product is going to both markets, it may need to be documented with two separate reports. Which one is required depends on the buyer's country and the contract, and needs to be settled at the order stage.
Is onyx declared the same way as marble?+
It's assessed within the same tariff-heading family (2515) but not declared on the same line: marble and travertine fall under 2515.11/12, while onyx and decorative limestone fall under a separate subheading, 2515.20. When the commercial name doesn't line up exactly with the customs classification, we determine it through a technical description and, if needed, a sample.
Does granite export need different documents than marble?+
The underlying document logic is the same (measurement/weight or technical specification report, movement/origin certificate), but because granite falls under a different tariff heading (2516), its GTİP line is separate from marble's (2515). Confusion usually arises from trying to declare both stones under the same GTİP on the same invoice.
Do we need a customs declaration when sending a sample to a buyer?+
Yes. Even though the sample is free of charge, it's still a separate export transaction and is declared with a GTİP determined by stone type; the only difference is that the quantity and value are small. Skipping it can cause inconsistencies with the declaration for the main shipment later.
When should we request the test report — is it fine to leave it until close to shipping?+
No — a test report from an accredited laboratory (EN 1469, EN 12058, or ASTM) can take days to obtain. Which standard is needed should be settled as soon as the order is confirmed, not left until close to the shipping date; otherwise there's a risk of missing the vessel's cut-off time.
Can stone from different quarries be mixed within the same order?+
Commercially it may be possible, but it creates two separate problems on the customs and buyer side: the technical specification report may not reflect a single quarry's values, and the technical description used for GTİP determination needs to be prepared separately for each batch. If mixing stone from different quarries isn't stated in the contract from the start, the buyer may dispute differences in stone properties after delivery.
What happens if the buyer finds the colour of our stone different from the previous shipment?+
Vein and colour intensity in natural stone can vary even between blocks from the same quarry; this isn't a manufacturing defect, it's the stone's natural character. Having this variability accepted in writing in the contract, and ideally a tolerance range described, largely prevents disputes after delivery.
How long does natural stone export take?+
It varies with the stone type, degree of processing, and the standard the target market requires, so giving an exact timeframe wouldn't be accurate. The main factors that determine timing: GTİP determination, obtaining the standard/test report, the inspection line the declaration falls into, preparing the movement certificate, and port congestion.
The Turkish original of this page was reviewed by our licensed customs broker. This translation is provided for information; the Turkish version prevails.
Let's Talk About Your File
Customs Procedures for Natural Stone Export — let us assess your shipment. Fill in the form and our team will get in touch with you.