HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2603.00 – Copper ores and concentrates
HS code 2603.00 is the 6-digit subheading for copper ores and concentrates. It is used for chalcopyrite concentrate, bornite concentrate, chalcocite concentrate, copper sulfide ore and copper oxide ore.
What HS 2603.00 covers
This HS code covers copper ores and concentrates, which are fundamental to the global economy due to copper's widespread use in electrical wiring, plumbing, construction, and increasingly, in renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles. The trade involves raw ore extracted from mines, often then concentrated to increase the copper content before being shipped to smelters and refiners. Major mining companies in resource-rich countries export these concentrates to nations with advanced smelting capabilities. The market is influenced by global industrial demand, technological advancements, and geopolitical factors affecting supply chains. Understanding the purity and presence of other valuable metals (like gold or silver) in the concentrate is vital for trade valuation.
- Covers
- Chalcopyrite concentrate
- Bornite concentrate
- Chalcocite concentrate
- Copper sulfide ore
- Copper oxide ore
- Examples
- Escondida copper concentrate
- Grasberg copper concentrate
- Codelco's copper ores
- Freeport-McMoRan concentrates
Codes often confused with 2603.00
Common mistake. Often confused with 7403 (refined copper) if the material is already smelted, or 2616 (precious metal ores) if it contains significant gold/silver byproducts.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 260300, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 260300 in UN Comtrade data was Chile, with 31% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 67% of world imports. Mexico reports $6.4B of its chapter 26 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Chile $38.8B 31% of world exports
- 2 Peru* ~$25.0B 20% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Mongolia* ~$5.9B 4.7% of world exports · partner records ↗
Mexico reports $6.4B of its chapter 26 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $125.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $81.9B 67% of world imports
- 2 Japan $13.0B 11% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $6.1B 5.0% of world imports
World total: $122.5B 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 2603.00 2
Brazil splits HS 2603.00 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2603.00.10 Copper sulphide ores and concentratesSulfetos
- 2603.00.90 Other copper ores and concentratesOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 26.03 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2603.00
What is HS code 260300?
HS code 260300 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Copper ores and concentrates. This HS code covers copper ores and concentrates, which are fundamental to the global economy due to copper's widespread use in electrical wiring, plumbing, construction, and increasingly, in renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles. The trade involves raw ore extracted from mines, often then concentrated to increase the copper content before being shipped to smelters and refiners. Major mining companies in resource-rich countries export these concentrates to nations with advanced smelting capabilities. The market is influenced by global industrial demand, technological advancements, and geopolitical factors affecting supply chains. Understanding the purity and presence of other valuable metals (like gold or silver) in the concentrate is vital for trade valuation.
What products fall under HS code 260300?
Chalcopyrite concentrate, Bornite concentrate, Chalcocite concentrate, Copper sulfide ore, Copper oxide ore
What are common misclassifications for HS code 260300?
Often confused with 7403 (refined copper) if the material is already smelted, or 2616 (precious metal ores) if it contains significant gold/silver byproducts.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 260300?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 260300 in UN Comtrade data were Chile ($38.8B, 31% of world exports), Peru (about $25.0B) and Mongolia (about $5.9B). World exports came to about $125.6B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Mexico reports $6.4B of its chapter 26 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 260300?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 260300 in UN Comtrade data were China ($81.9B, 67% of world imports), Japan ($13.0B) and South Korea ($6.1B). World imports came to about $122.5B, 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 260300 structured?
HS code 260300 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (26) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (03) 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 260300?
Brazil splits HS code 260300 into 2 NCM codes: 2603.00.10 (Copper sulphide ores and concentrates), 2603.00.90 (Other copper ores and concentrates). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.