Stones buying guideLast updated October 2026

Bluestone

Blue-grey paving and copings with a crisp, tailored look.

See bluestone vendorsPost an RFQ
Price level
Mid-range
Best to buy
Mar–Apr, Oct–Nov
Top sources
Belgium flagIreland flagUSA flagVietnam flagChina flag
Natural cleft Pennsylvania bluestone paving beside water

Photo: Stevenvieczorek, CC BY-SA 4.0

Overview

What is bluestone?

"Bluestone" is a trade name, not a rock type. It covers dense Belgian and Irish carboniferous limestones (Pierre Bleue, Kilkenny), the fine-grained Pennsylvania and New York sandstones known as American bluestone, and blue limestones and basalts from Vietnam and China used for paving.

Knowing which one you are buying is key to getting the right durability and price. All of them darken when wet and are most often supplied with a thermal (flamed) finish for grip.

Rock type
Limestone, sandstone or basalt, by source
Colour
Blue-grey; darkens when wet
Common finish
Thermal (flamed) for anti-slip
Other finishes
Honed, cleft, sandblasted, bush-hammered
Uses
Paving, coping, steps, sills, cladding

Applications

Best used for

  • Patios and pool copingCrisp, tailored look with thermal grip.
  • Public squares and streetscapesDense grades take heavy foot traffic.
  • Steps, sills and thresholdsClean edges and consistent colour.
  • Wall claddingBlue-grey tones suit modern architecture.

Think twice for

  • Hot, sunny pool decks. Dark stone heats up; choose lighter tones in hot climates.
  • Acid cleaners on limestone bluestones. Belgian, Irish and Asian limestone bluestones etch.

Know the names

Popular varieties

  • Belgian Bluestone

    Belgium

    Dark blue-grey with pale fossils.

  • Kilkenny Blue

    Ireland

    Blue-black, dense limestone.

  • Pennsylvania Bluestone

    USA

    Blue with lilac and brown tones.

  • Vietnam Bluestone

    Vietnam

    Blue limestone with fossil pits.

Origins

Which countries to source from

The producing countries that matter for bluestone, what each is known for, and a direct link to vendors there.

Timing

Best time of year to buy

Order Asian bluestone before Lunar New Year or from March. For the North American patio season, order by February.

  1. Jan: slower or pricier
  2. Feb: slower or pricier
  3. Mar: best time to buy
  4. Apr: best time to buy
  5. May: normal
  6. Jun: normal
  7. Jul: normal
  8. Aug: normal
  9. Sep: normal
  10. Oct: best time to buy
  11. Nov: best time to buy
  12. Dec: normal
Best time to buy Normal Slower or pricier
  • US bluestone quarries in Pennsylvania and New York slow in deep winter.
  • Thermal finishing and cut-to-size copings add lead time.

Import costs

Tariffs and import duties

Base duties for the main import markets, the extra US surcharge by origin, and the trade remedies to check before you quote a landed price.

HS codes

  • 6802.92 / 6802.29Limestone bluestones
  • 6801 / 6802.99Sandstone and basalt bluestones

Base import duty (MFN)

  • United States2.8% to 6.5% base plus 25% surchargeUS duties now include the MFN base rate plus a 25 percent surcharge for many origins following the July 2026 tariff changes. Limestone calcareous stone is 4.9 percent, flagstones are 2.8 percent, and basalt other stone is 6.5 percent, each subject to the addit
  • European Union0% to 1.7%
  • United Kingdom0%

Importing into the US? Add the 2026 origin surcharge

Section 301 rates in force since 24 July 2026, stacked on the MFN rate above.

  • Belgium flagBelgium10% min.Section 301 (2026) tops the duty up to at least 10% in total; no surcharge if MFN is already higher.
  • Ireland flagIreland10% min.Section 301 (2026) tops the duty up to at least 10% in total; no surcharge if MFN is already higher.
  • USA flagUSAMFN onlyNot on the July 2026 Section 301 list: MFN rate only.
  • Vietnam flagVietnam+12.5%Section 301 (2026) adds 12.5% on top of the MFN rate.
  • China flagChina+12.5% & 30112.5% Section 301 (2026) plus the legacy China Section 301 duty (25% on most stone and machinery lines), on top of MFN.
  • US imports of worked stone from many countries now face a 25 percent additional surcharge on top of the base MFN duty.
  • Importers must check for origin-specific registration requirements for limestone from Portugal.

Rates checked October 2026. Indicative rates for planning, not a customs ruling. Duties depend on the exact tariff line, origin, trade agreements and the rules in force on the day of entry. Confirm with a licensed customs broker before you price an order.

Before you order

Buying checklist

  1. 1Ask what the rock actually is (limestone, sandstone or basalt) and get a petrography note.
  2. 2Thermal (flamed) is the standard anti-slip paving finish.
  3. 3Full-colour or variegated? Agree a sample range: natural bluestone shifts from blue to lilac and brown.
  4. 4Stylolites, white veins and fossils are natural in Belgian and Irish stone.
  5. 5Seal to reduce darkening and staining.

Price level: Asian bluestones are budget-friendly; Belgian and Irish stones are premium.

Vendor Network

Ready to source bluestone?

Compare verified suppliers, or post an RFQ and let them come to you with quotes.

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