Industry News — Stone & Surfaces
Stone & Quartz Market Data

Market Tools: Tariffs, Imports & Freight for Stone and Quartz

Live trackers for stone industry news, granite and quartz duties by country, import volumes, Section 201 quota risk and freight, for multifamily countertop buyers.

📰 Industry News — Stone & Surfaces

Stone World · Stone Update · USITC · USTR · Freight Intelligence · Live via RSS
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Sources: Stone World · Stone Update · Natural Stone Institute · USITC · USTR · Container Industry News —
Tariff Tracker – Granite & Quartz

🌍 Tariff Tracker — Granite & Quartz

US Import Duties by Country of Origin · Updated October 2026 · Quartz Section 201 TRQ in effect since Aug 15, 2026 (Proclamation 11051 / 91 FR 50645)
⏱ Data as of October 26, 2026
⚠ Active Investigations: USTR has initiated Section 301 investigations involving India, Indonesia, and other countries. Rates may change. Verify with your customs broker before committing to large orders.
Current Tariff Rates — Natural Granite (HTS 6802.23)
Country Base MFN Additional Duty Est. Total Rate Tariff Type Status
🇧🇷Brazil
#1 US Granite Supplier		 3.7% +40.0% ~43.7% Exec. Order 🔴 High Impact
🇮🇳India
#2 US Granite Supplier		 3.7% — 3.7% MFN Only 🟡 Watch – Inv. Pending
🇨🇳China 3.7% +25.0% ~28.7% Section 301 🔴 High Impact
🇮🇹Italy 3.7% — 3.7% MFN Only 🟢 Stable
🇹🇷Turkey 3.7% — 3.7% MFN Only 🟢 Stable
🇪🇸Spain 3.7% — 3.7% MFN Only 🟢 Stable
🇿🇦South Africa 3.7% — 3.7% MFN Only 🟢 Stable

Rates shown are estimates based on publicly available data. Brazil's additional 40% duty was imposed by Executive Order July 30, 2025 on certain goods. China's 25% Section 301 applies under List 3. Actual duty may vary by exact HTS subheading, product form, and origin documentation. Always verify with a licensed customs broker. Sources: USITC HTS, USTR, CSSStone 2026.

Section 201 quartz TRQ is LIVE (effective Aug 15, 2026) — Proclamation 11051 / 91 FR 50645. Year 1: 25% in-quota / 50% above-quota additional duty. Annual quota 13,006,424 m²; quarterly 3,251,606 m² (CBP QB 26-601).
Q1 (Aug 15 – Nov 14, 2026) FILLED 100% on Oct 16, 2026 (CBP report Oct 19; quota 99034530QTZ01); no Q1 roll-over. Q2: Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 13, 2027; CBP filings open Mon Nov 16 (QB 26-602). Until then covered quartz pays the above-quota rate.
Covered examples: China, India, Turkey, Spain, Italy, Vietnam, Malaysia. Exempt: USMCA, FTA partners, CBERA, developing-country annex — verify with your broker.
Current Tariff Rates — Engineered Quartz Surfaces (HTS 6810.99 / 7020.00.6000 — Section 201 TRQ)
Country Base MFN Additional Duty Est. Total Rate Tariff Type Status
🇨🇳China
Largest Supplier		 0% – 3.7% +25% ~25–29% Section 301 🔴 High Impact
🇮🇳India 0% – 3.7% +25% in / +50% above ~29–54% MFN Sec. 201 TRQ – Live 🟡 Covered · Q1 filled
🇮🇱Israel Free — 0% FTA – Exempt (verify) 🟡 Exempt – verify
🇰🇷South Korea Free — 0% FTA (KORUS) – Excluded 🟢 Excluded from TRQ
🇸🇬Singapore Free — 0% FTA – Excluded 🟢 Excluded from TRQ
🇪🇸Spain 3.7% +25% in / +50% above ~29–54% MFN Sec. 201 TRQ – Live 🟡 Covered · Q1 filled
🇺🇸Canada / Mexico Free — 0% USMCA – Excluded 🟢 Excluded from TRQ
📋 Section 201 TRQ Structure — Year 1 (in force since Aug 15, 2026): 25% in-quota / 50% above-quota; annual 13,006,424 m², quarterly 3,251,606 m² (QB 26-601). Q1 filled Oct 16, 2026 (no roll-over); Q2 Nov 15, 2026 – Feb 13, 2027, filings open Mon Nov 16 (QB 26-602). In-quota Ch. 99 9903.45.30 / above-quota 9903.45.31 on 6810.99.0020, 6810.99.0040, 7020.00.6000. Exempt (verify with broker): USMCA, FTA partners, CBERA, developing-country annex. Years 2–4 step volumes up and rates down.
A — Covered by Section 201 TRQ (examples)
OriginSection 201 Year 1Other dutiesStatus
China+25% in-quota / +50% above-quota+25% Section 301Covered · Q1 filled
India+25% / +50%—Covered · Q1 filled
Turkey+25% / +50%—Covered · Q1 filled
Spain / Italy / Vietnam / Malaysia+25% / +50%VariesCovered · Q1 filled
B — Exempt / not subject (verify with broker)
Origin groupSection 201Notes
Canada / Mexico (USMCA)ExemptDoes not count against TRQ
FTA partners (e.g., Korea, Singapore, Israel, Australia, Colombia, Panama, Peru, CAFTA-DR)ExemptProduct must qualify as originating
CBERA beneficiariesExemptSee proclamation annex
Developing-country annexConditionally exemptVerify current annex

Granite / natural stone duties are separate from the quartz Section 201 TRQ.

Sources: USITC April 2026 Determination · USITC May 2026 Remedy · TariffLens Analysis

Timeline of Key Tariff Events — Stone & Surfaces
  • Nov 15–16, 2026
    Q2 quartz TRQ period opens Nov 15, 2026 (through Feb 13, 2027). 3,251,606 m²; CBP filings open Mon Nov 16 (QB 26-602).
  • Oct 16, 2026
    Q1 quartz TRQ FILLED (100%). Quota 99034530QTZ01; CBP report Oct 19, 2026. No Q1 roll-over into Q2.
  • Aug 15, 2026
    Section 201 quartz TRQ effective. Proclamation 11051 / 91 FR 50645: Year 1 25% in-quota / 50% above-quota; 13,006,424 m² annual (3,251,606 m² quarterly), QB 26-601.
  • May 2026 · History
    USITC submits quartz TRQ remedy to President. Recommends a 4-year Tariff-Rate Quota: 25% on imports within 140M sqft/yr; FTA countries excluded. Superseded: Section 201 TRQ took effect Aug 15, 2026.
  • Apr 1, 2026 · History
    USITC rules 2-1: quartz imports cause serious injury. Global safeguard (Section 201) investigation Inv. No. TA-201-79 affirmed. Triggered the remedy recommendation phase.
  • Feb 24, 2026 · History
    USITC serious injury hearing for quartz. The ITC held formal hearings on whether global quartz imports injure US producers. Importers testified on supply chain disruptions if tariffs imposed.
  • Jul 30, 2025
    Executive Order imposes 40% additional duty on certain Brazilian goods. Declared national emergency; ad valorem duty added on covered Brazilian-origin imports including stone products. Brazil granite imports dropped ~66% in subsequent months.
  • 2025
    USTR initiates Section 301 investigations on multiple countries including India, Indonesia, EU, Japan, and others. No final tariffs yet imposed on stone from these countries, but risk is elevated.
  • 2018–2019
    Section 301 tariffs imposed on China in four lists (7.5%–25%). China granite and engineered quartz hit with 25% (List 3). China share of US countertop imports declined sharply thereafter.
  • Pre-2018
    MFN baseline: Natural granite slabs (HTS 6802.23) carried a 3.7% Most Favored Nation rate. Engineered quartz entered largely duty-free (0%–3.7%) depending on classification.
HTS Code Reference — Stone & Surfaces
6802.23
Granite — worked
Monumental or building stone; simply cut or sawn slabs. Primary code for granite countertop slabs.
6802.93
Granite — other
Other worked granite not elsewhere specified. Covers polished, beveled, and profiled slabs.
6810.99
Engineered quartz surfaces
Articles of cement, artificial stone or similar — used for engineered quartz countertops (e.g., Silestone, Caesarstone-type).
9903.45.30 / .31
Section 201 quartz TRQ
In-quota 9903.45.30 / above-quota 9903.45.31 with 6810.99.0020, 6810.99.0040, 7020.00.6000. 6802.93 is NOT the TRQ quartz line.
2506.10
Raw quartz
Natural quartz (crude or quarried). Not typically used for countertops but relevant for raw material imports.
6802.10
Tiles, cubes, mosaic
Worked stone tiles and similar for floors, walls, and decorative use.
6802.29
Other calcareous stone
Covers marble, travertine, alabaster and other worked calcareous stone (not granite).

HTS codes are provided for reference only. Final classification depends on product form, composition, and end-use. Consult a licensed customs broker or the USITC HTS Database for binding classifications.

Landed Cost & Tariff Impact Calculator

Estimate the tariff cost for a countertop order based on country of origin and material type.

CIF Value
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Tariff Rate
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Duty Amount
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Est. Landed Cost
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Calculator uses estimated rates for illustration only. Does not include MPF, HMF, brokerage fees, or other charges. Not tax or legal advice.

📊 Import Volume — Stone & Quartz

U.S. Imports for Consumption · Customs Value · H1 YoY by origin. Volume/value tool — not duty rates.

⏱ Data as of …

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Import volume by origin

#CountryH1 2025H1 2026YoY2026 shareShare

📈 Quota Tariff Risk — Quartz (§201)

Estimate whether a covered entry clears at 25% in-quota or 50% over-quota, given current TRQ fill and your order size.

⏱ Data as of …

Your quote

slabs × sq ft → fills order size

Conversion: 1 m² ≈ 10.7639 sq ft. Duty $ uses the quote value you enter (not auto-landed cost).

Tariff risk band
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Freight Tracker – Stone & Surfaces

🚢 Freight Tracker — Stone & Surfaces

Container Rates · Fuel Surcharges · Port Status · Trucking · Updated June 2026
⏱ Data as of June 30, 2026
📦 Reading These Rates: Rates below are estimated spot market rates per 40ft container (FEU) from major stone export regions to US ports. Stone is heavy cargo — actual quotes from your freight forwarder may vary ±15–20%. Rates fluctuate weekly.
Drewry WCI
$4,166
per 40ft (composite)
▲ 5%
Shanghai → LA
$5,750
per FEU spot rate
▲ 12%
Shanghai → NY
$7,149
per FEU spot rate
▲ 6%
Market Trend
Rising
Frontloading demand
↑ Active
Container Rates by Origin — 20ft & 40ft (FEU)
Origin → Destination 20ft (TEU) 40ft (FEU) Transit Time Trend Notes
🇨🇳 Shanghai → Los Angeles
Transpacific West Coast 		~$3,100 ~$5,750 14–18 days ▲ Rising Frontloading active; blank sailings minimal
🇨🇳 Shanghai → New York
Transpacific East Coast 		~$3,800 ~$7,149 28–35 days ▲ Rising Via Panama Canal or Suez
🇮🇳 India (Mundra/Chennai) → East Coast US
Indian subcontinent 		~$1,400 ~$2,500 22–30 days → Stable India gaining share vs. China/Brazil
🇧🇷 Brazil (Santos) → East Coast US
South America 		~$1,600 ~$3,000 10–16 days ↓ Volume down Import volume −66% since 40% tariff
🇮🇹 Italy (Carrara/Verona) → East Coast US
Mediterranean 		~$1,800 ~$3,200 14–20 days ▲ Volume up Italy gained #1 spot in Mar 2026 (+9.7%)
🇹🇷 Turkey (Istanbul/Izmir) → East Coast US
Mediterranean 		~$1,700 ~$3,000 15–22 days → Stable Competitive alternative to China/Brazil

Ocean rates are estimated spot market rates sourced from Drewry WCI (June 25, 2026), Freightos, and industry reports. Heavy stone cargo may carry premiums. Rates exclude BAF, THC, and other surcharges. Sources: Drewry WCI · Freightos · Stone World Import Data

⚡ Emergency Fuel Surcharges: Between March 9–25, 2026, the five largest container carriers (MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, ONE, Hapag-Lloyd) all announced emergency fuel surcharges due to Middle East supply disruptions and VLSFO price volatility.
VLSFO Price
$875/MT
Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (est.)
BAF as % of Freight
25–30%
Asia–US routes (typical range)
Emergency Fuel Surcharge
$160–$210
per TEU (dry cargo, head haul)
BAF Impact on Rate
+5–15%
Add to base ocean freight rate
Bunker Adjustment Factor (BAF) — How It Works
Trade Lane BAF Component Est. Add-on / 40ft Reefer Premium
Asia → US West Coast 25–30% of base rate $800–$1,200 +$50/TEU
Asia → US East Coast 25–30% of base rate $1,000–$1,600 +$50/TEU
Europe/Med → US East Coast 20–25% of base rate $500–$900 +$40/TEU
South America → US East Coast 15–25% of base rate $400–$700 +$40/TEU

What is BAF? The Bunker Adjustment Factor is a fuel surcharge added by carriers to offset bunker fuel cost changes. It is recalculated quarterly by most major carriers and quoted separately from the base ocean freight rate. For stone shipments — which are heavy, non-perishable, and transported as break-bulk or full containers — BAF applies at standard dry cargo rates.

Sources: Tradlinx April 2026 · Xeneta BAF Guide · TransGlobal March 2026

🏭 Port Status reflects general conditions as of late June 2026. Stone and slab shipments typically enter via East Coast and Gulf Coast ports. Congestion levels are rated relative to normal baseline operations.
🇺🇸 Los Angeles / Long Beach
Primary West Coast gateway (China/India)
CongestionModerate
Avg. Dwell Time3–5 days
TEU Volume Trend▲ High
🇺🇸 Savannah, GA
Fastest-growing East Coast port
CongestionLow–Normal
Avg. Dwell Time2–4 days
Stone ImportsActive
🇺🇸 New York / New Jersey
Largest East Coast port
CongestionModerate
Avg. Dwell Time3–6 days
Stone ImportsActive
🇺🇸 Houston, TX
Gulf Coast — Brazil/Italy gateway
CongestionLow
Avg. Dwell Time2–3 days
Stone ImportsModerate
🇺🇸 Charleston, SC
Southeast gateway — Mfld. projects
CongestionLow
Avg. Dwell Time2–3 days
Regional RelevanceHigh
🇺🇸 Miami, FL
South Florida; Brazil & Caribbean
CongestionLow
Avg. Dwell Time2–4 days
Stone ImportsModerate

Port congestion data is estimated from publicly available container dwell reports and industry publications as of June 2026. For real-time port information, visit Port of LA, GA Ports Authority, or use SeaRates Port Congestion Tracker.

🚛 Trucking Context: Stone slabs require flatbed or specialized carriers due to A-frame or vertical loading requirements. Standard dry van rates do not apply. Rates below reflect estimated drayage (port-to-warehouse) and regional delivery costs for stone cargo.
Port Drayage (Short-haul)
Port → Local warehouse / fab shop (<50 mi)
$400–$700
per container; standard drayage
Regional Delivery (50–250 mi)
Warehouse → Jobsite or distribution
$700–$1,500
per flatbed load; stone-specific
Long-Haul Stone (250–600 mi)
Multi-state delivery (SE region)
$1,500–$3,000
per flatbed; varies by fuel & accessorials
Fuel Surcharge (Trucking)
Diesel-based; varies with DOE index
~25–30%
of base linehaul rate (est. June 2026)
⚠ Stone Cargo Note: Granite and quartz slabs are fragile and extremely heavy (typical slab bundle: 3,000–5,000 lbs). Carriers require A-frame trailers or specialized flatbeds. Not all carriers will accept stone. Premium of 15–25% over standard flatbed rates is common. Confirm with your freight broker that the carrier is stone-experienced.

Trucking rates are estimates sourced from industry references as of June 2026. Actual rates depend on fuel price, carrier availability, distance, accessorials, and load characteristics. Sources: TransGlobal March 2026 · Tradlinx April 2026

Freight Market Narrative — June 2026
  • Jun 2026
    Transpacific rates rising for 2nd consecutive month. Drewry WCI jumped 5% to $4,166/FEU — highest since Sept 2024. Importers front-loading ahead of anticipated tariff implementation on quartz. Only 4 blank sailings announced, meaning capacity is tight.
  • Mar–Apr 2026
    Emergency fuel surcharges declared by all top-5 carriers. MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, ONE, and Hapag-Lloyd each announced EFS between $160–$210/TEU on dry head-haul cargo. Triggered by Middle East situation and VLSFO price volatility.
  • Jan–Feb 2026
    Oversupply briefly pushed rates down. Container freight rates slid for 6 consecutive weeks (Jan–Feb 2026) amid excess vessel capacity. Asia-US West Coast dipped to ~$1,800–$2,300/FEU before tariff frontloading reversed the trend.
  • Late 2025
    Italy surpasses China and Brazil in US stone imports. Following Brazil's 40% tariff and China Section 301 impacts, Italian stone saw +9.7% volume increase in March 2026, taking the #1 spot. Turkey also gaining.
  • 2024–2025
    Red Sea disruptions added weeks to transit times. Houthi attacks on shipping forced many vessels to divert around Cape of Good Hope, adding 7–14 days on Europe and Asia routes and temporarily spiking rates to $6,000+/FEU.
What to Watch in Q3 2026
🚨 Quartz Tariff Decision
Presidential action on ITC's TRQ recommendation expected any time. Could add 25%+ to all non-FTA quartz imports overnight.
⚡ Fuel Surcharges
Monitor VLSFO prices. If oil rises past $100/MT from current levels, expect additional carrier EFS announcements.
✅ India Opportunity
India gaining US market share. Freight from India to EC US ($2,500/FEU) + 3.7% tariff makes it the most cost-effective origin right now.
🔍 Section 301 Watch
USTR investigations on India, Indonesia, and others could change the granite tariff picture significantly in late 2026.