HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2504.90 – Graphite; natural, in other forms, excluding powder or flakes
HS code 2504.90 is the 6-digit subheading for graphite, natural, in other forms, excluding powder or flakes. It is used for lump graphite, crude graphite ore, graphite blocks, vein graphite and amorphous graphite lumps.
What HS 2504.90 covers
This HS code covers natural graphite in forms other than powder or flakes, typically referring to larger lumps, blocks, or crude ore. While less processed than its powdered or flaked counterparts, this raw material is still vital for various industries. It serves as a precursor for further processing into more refined graphite products or is used directly in applications where its bulk form is suitable, such as in refractories, foundries, and as a carbon raiser in steelmaking. Trade primarily involves mining operations exporting raw graphite to processing hubs or industrial users. The quality and carbon content of these crude forms are important factors, influencing their market value and end-use applications in the global supply chain.
- Covers
- Lump graphite
- Crude graphite ore
- Graphite blocks
- Vein graphite
- Amorphous graphite lumps
- Raw graphite rock
- Examples
- Sri Lankan vein graphite
- various raw graphite lumps from mines in Brazil or Madagascar
- crude graphite from Tanzania
Codes often confused with 2504.90
Common mistake. The key distinction from 250410 is the physical form (not powder or flakes); synthetic graphite is classified under 380110.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 250490, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 250490 in UN Comtrade data was Tanzania, with 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 32% 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 Tanzania $17M 42% of world exports
- 2 China $14M 36% of world exports
- 3 Germany $2.5M 6.5% of world exports
World total: $39M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $15M 32% of world imports
- 2 United States $7.9M 16% of world imports
- 3 Japan $3.7M 7.6% of world imports
World total: $49M 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 2504.90
Brazil does not split HS 2504.90: its NCM code is 2504.90.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 25.04 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2504.90
What is HS code 250490?
HS code 250490 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Graphite; natural, in other forms, excluding powder or flakes. This HS code covers natural graphite in forms other than powder or flakes, typically referring to larger lumps, blocks, or crude ore. While less processed than its powdered or flaked counterparts, this raw material is still vital for various industries. It serves as a precursor for further processing into more refined graphite products or is used directly in applications where its bulk form is suitable, such as in refractories, foundries, and as a carbon raiser in steelmaking. Trade primarily involves mining operations exporting raw graphite to processing hubs or industrial users. The quality and carbon content of these crude forms are important factors, influencing their market value and end-use applications in the global supply chain.
What products fall under HS code 250490?
Lump graphite, crude graphite ore, graphite blocks, vein graphite, amorphous graphite lumps, raw graphite rock
What are common misclassifications for HS code 250490?
The key distinction from 250410 is the physical form (not powder or flakes); synthetic graphite is classified under 380110.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 250490?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 250490 in UN Comtrade data were Tanzania ($17M, 42% of world exports), China ($14M) and Germany ($2.5M). World exports came to about $39M, 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 250490?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 250490 in UN Comtrade data were China ($15M, 32% of world imports), the United States ($7.9M) and Japan ($3.7M). World imports came to about $49M, 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 250490 structured?
HS code 250490 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (25) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) 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 250490?
In Brazil, HS code 250490 is NCM 2504.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.