HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 0506.90 – Animal products; bones and horn-cores and powder or waste of such, unworked, defatted, simply prepared (not cut to shape), or treated with acid or degelatinised, n.e.c. in heading no. 0506
HS code 0506.90 is the 6-digit subheading for animal products, bones and horn-cores and powder or waste of such, unworked, defatted, simply prepared (not cut to shape), or treated with acid or degelatinised, n.e.c. in heading no. 0506. It is used for bone meal, bone ash, unworked bovine bones, horn-cores and bone powder for fertilizer.
What HS 0506.90 covers
This broad category encompasses various forms of animal bones and horn-cores, including unworked, defatted, simply prepared (but not cut to shape), or treated with acid or degelatinised, excluding ossein. These materials find diverse applications across multiple industries, such as fertilizer production (bone meal), animal feed, bone china manufacturing, and traditional crafts. Importers range from agricultural companies to specialized manufacturers. Exporters are typically countries with significant livestock populations and associated processing capabilities. Key considerations include the level of processing, cleanliness, and strict adherence to regulations governing animal by-products, particularly when destined for feed or fertilizer use, to prevent disease transmission.
- Covers
- Bone meal
- Bone ash
- Unworked bovine bones
- Horn-cores
- Bone powder for fertilizer
- Defatted bones
- Degelatinised bones
- Animal bone chips
- Examples
- Various agricultural suppliers (for bone meal)
- bone china manufacturers (e.g., Wedgwood, Royal Doulton - as users of bone ash)
- craft suppliers for bone carving
Codes often confused with 0506.90
Common mistake. Often confused with 050610 (ossein/acid-treated bones for gelatin). The distinction is the specific treatment and end-use, with 050690 being a more general category for bones not primarily for gelatin.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 050690, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 050690 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 22% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $33M 18% of world exports
- 2 Germany $31M 16% of world exports
- 3 Spain $14M 7.4% of world exports
World total: $190M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $47M 22% of world imports
- 2 Japan $30M 15% of world imports
- 3 Belgium $26M 12% of world imports
World total: $209M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM code for 0506.90
Brazil does not split HS 0506.90: its NCM code is 0506.90.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 05.06 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 0506.90
What is HS code 050690?
HS code 050690 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Animal products; bones and horn-cores and powder or waste of such, unworked, defatted, simply prepared (not cut to shape), or treated with acid or degelatinised, n.e.c. in heading no. 0506. This broad category encompasses various forms of animal bones and horn-cores, including unworked, defatted, simply prepared (but not cut to shape), or treated with acid or degelatinised, excluding ossein. These materials find diverse applications across multiple industries, such as fertilizer production (bone meal), animal feed, bone china manufacturing, and traditional crafts. Importers range from agricultural companies to specialized manufacturers. Exporters are typically countries with significant livestock populations and associated processing capabilities. Key considerations include the level of processing, cleanliness, and strict adherence to regulations governing animal by-products, particularly when destined for feed or fertilizer use, to prevent disease transmission.
What products fall under HS code 050690?
Bone meal, bone ash, unworked bovine bones, horn-cores, bone powder for fertilizer, defatted bones, degelatinised bones, animal bone chips
What are common misclassifications for HS code 050690?
Often confused with 050610 (ossein/acid-treated bones for gelatin). The distinction is the specific treatment and end-use, with 050690 being a more general category for bones not primarily for gelatin.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 050690?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 050690 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($33M, 18% of world exports), Germany ($31M) and Spain ($14M). World exports came to about $190M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 050690?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 050690 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($47M, 22% of world imports), Japan ($30M) and Belgium ($26M). World imports came to about $209M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 050690 structured?
HS code 050690 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (05) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (06) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 050690?
In Brazil, HS code 050690 is NCM 0506.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.