HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2602.00 – Manganese ores and concentrates, including ferruginous manganese ores and concentrates with a manganese content of 20% or more, calculated on the dry weight
HS code 2602.00 is the 6-digit subheading for manganese ores and concentrates, including ferruginous manganese ores and concentrates with a manganese content of 20% or more, calculated on the dry weight. It is used for manganese ore lumps, manganese ore fines, manganese concentrate, ferruginous manganese ore and battery-grade manganese ore.
What HS 2602.00 covers
Manganese ores and concentrates are vital commodities traded under this HS code, playing a critical role in global industry, particularly in steel production. Manganese acts as a deoxidizer and desulfurizer, improving steel's strength, hardness, and workability. Beyond steel, it's increasingly important in battery technologies and specialty alloys. The global trade involves major mining operations in resource-rich countries exporting to industrial nations with large steel and manufacturing sectors. The manganese content (20% or more on a dry weight basis) is a key determinant of its value. Understanding the different grades and their suitability for various applications, from metallurgical to chemical, is crucial for participants in this market.
- Covers
- Manganese ore lumps
- Manganese ore fines
- Manganese concentrate
- Ferruginous manganese ore
- Battery-grade manganese ore
- Examples
- South32's manganese ore
- Eramet's manganese products
- Consolidated Minerals manganese
- OM Holdings manganese
Codes often confused with 2602.00
Common mistake. Could be confused with 2601 (iron ores) if the manganese content is low or not clearly specified, or 2820 (manganese oxides) if it's already processed into a chemical compound.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 260200, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 260200 in UN Comtrade data was South Africa, with 59% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 66% 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 South Africa $3.0B 59% of world exports
- 2 Gabon* ~$1.4B 28% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Ghana $264M 5.1% of world exports
World total: $5.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $4.4B 66% of world imports
- 2 India $1.1B 17% of world imports
- 3 Norway $227M 3.4% of world imports
World total: $6.7B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 codes for 2602.00 2
Brazil splits HS 2602.00 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2602.00.10 Agglomerated manganese ores and concentratesAglomerados
- 2602.00.90 Non-agglomerated manganese oresOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 26.02 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2602.00
What is HS code 260200?
HS code 260200 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Manganese ores and concentrates, including ferruginous manganese ores and concentrates with a manganese content of 20% or more, calculated on the dry weight. Manganese ores and concentrates are vital commodities traded under this HS code, playing a critical role in global industry, particularly in steel production. Manganese acts as a deoxidizer and desulfurizer, improving steel's strength, hardness, and workability. Beyond steel, it's increasingly important in battery technologies and specialty alloys. The global trade involves major mining operations in resource-rich countries exporting to industrial nations with large steel and manufacturing sectors. The manganese content (20% or more on a dry weight basis) is a key determinant of its value. Understanding the different grades and their suitability for various applications, from metallurgical to chemical, is crucial for participants in this market.
What products fall under HS code 260200?
Manganese ore lumps, Manganese ore fines, Manganese concentrate, Ferruginous manganese ore, Battery-grade manganese ore
What are common misclassifications for HS code 260200?
Could be confused with 2601 (iron ores) if the manganese content is low or not clearly specified, or 2820 (manganese oxides) if it's already processed into a chemical compound.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 260200?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 260200 in UN Comtrade data were South Africa ($3.0B, 59% of world exports), Gabon (about $1.4B) and Ghana ($264M). World exports came to about $5.1B, 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 260200?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 260200 in UN Comtrade data were China ($4.4B, 66% of world imports), India ($1.1B) and Norway ($227M). World imports came to about $6.7B, 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 260200 structured?
HS code 260200 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (26) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 260200?
Brazil splits HS code 260200 into 2 NCM codes: 2602.00.10 (Agglomerated manganese ores and concentrates), 2602.00.90 (Non-agglomerated manganese ores). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.