HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 26.08 – Zinc ores and concentrates
What HS 26.08 covers
Heading 2608 encompasses all natural zinc ores and their concentrates, representing the primary raw material source for zinc metal production globally. This classification includes various zinc-bearing minerals such as sphalerite (zinc sulfide), smithsonite (zinc carbonate), hemimorphite (zinc silicate), and franklinite. The scope of this heading is crucial: it covers these materials in their raw, unprocessed state as mined, as well as after initial beneficiation processes designed to increase the zinc content and remove gangue minerals. Beneficiation might involve crushing, grinding, flotation, or gravity separation, but crucially, it does not extend to smelting, roasting (beyond what's necessary for concentration), or chemical extraction that would result in a refined metal or a chemical compound of zinc. The primary sub-categories are typically distinguished by their mineralogical composition (sulfide ores vs. oxide ores) and the degree of concentration. Accurate classification under 2608 is vital for trade compliance as it determines applicable tariffs, quotas, import/export regulations, and environmental controls. These raw materials are foundational to industries ranging from galvanizing and die-casting to battery manufacturing and chemicals. Historically, zinc ores have been a cornerstone of industrial development, with major trade flows from mining regions to smelting hubs worldwide, directly linking this heading to global manufacturing supply chains. This heading sits within Chapter 26, "Ores, slag and ash," specifically identifying it as a primary metallic ore, distinct from refined metals (Chapter 79) or zinc compounds (Chapter 28), emphasizing its role as an unprocessed or minimally processed raw material.
- Covers
- Sphalerite concentrate
- Smithsonite ore
- Zinc blende
- Calamine ore
- Zinc carbonate ore
- Zinc sulfide concentrate
- Willemite ore
- Franklinite ore
- Zinc oxide ore (natural)
- Zinc silicate ore
- Zinc-lead concentrates
- Zinc-copper concentrates
- Flotation zinc concentrate
- Heavy media zinc concentrate
- Beneficiated zinc ore
- Raw zinc ore lumps
- Crushed zinc ore
- Pulverised zinc ore
- Zinc mineral sand
- High-grade zinc ore
- Low-grade zinc ore
- Zinc-iron concentrates
- Primary zinc ore
- Examples
A major mining company in Peru exports several thousand tons of high-grade sphalerite concentrate to a smelter in South Korea, transported via bulk cargo ships across the Pacific Ocean for further processing into zinc metal. An Australian mining operation ships large consignments of zinc-lead concentrate to European refineries, typically to facilities in Belgium or Germany, utilizing the Suez Canal route. A Canadian mining firm sells raw zinc ore lumps to a domestic processing plant, which then produces a zinc concentrate for export to China, often via Vancouver and trans-Pacific shipping lanes.
Subheadings under 26.08 1
Codes often confused with 26.08
Common mistake. A common misclassification involves distinguishing zinc ores and concentrates (2608) from refined zinc metal (Chapter 79, e.g., 7901 for unwrought zinc) or specific zinc chemical compounds like zinc oxide (2817). Traders often mistakenly classify highly concentrated zinc products or partially roasted ores as refined metals or chemicals. The key distinction lies in the degree of processing: 2608 covers natural ores and concentrates obtained through physical or mechanical beneficiation, not chemical extraction or smelting that produces a pure metal or defined chemical compound. Another common error is confusing zinc-bearing slag or ash (2620) with primary zinc ores, which are distinct by their origin as mining output rather than industrial waste.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 2608, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 2608 in UN Comtrade data was Peru, with about 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 42% 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 Peru* ~$2.2B 17% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Australia $1.6B 12% of world exports
- 3 United States $1.5B 11% of world exports
World total: $13.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $5.9B 42% of world imports
- 2 South Korea $1.7B 12% of world imports
- 3 Spain $1.1B 7.7% of world imports
World total: $14.1B 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.
Questions about HS 26.08
What is HS code 2608?
HS code 2608 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Zinc ores and concentrates. Heading 2608 encompasses all natural zinc ores and their concentrates, representing the primary raw material source for zinc metal production globally. This classification includes various zinc-bearing minerals such as sphalerite (zinc sulfide), smithsonite (zinc carbonate), hemimorphite (zinc silicate), and franklinite. The scope of this heading is crucial: it covers these materials in their raw, unprocessed state as mined, as well as after initial beneficiation processes designed to increase the zinc content and remove gangue minerals. Beneficiation might involve crushing, grinding, flotation, or gravity separation, but crucially, it does not extend to smelting, roasting (beyond what's necessary for concentration), or chemical extraction that would result in a refined metal or a chemical compound of zinc. The primary sub-categories are typically distinguished by their mineralogical composition (sulfide ores vs. oxide ores) and the degree of concentration. Accurate classification under 2608 is vital for trade compliance as it determines applicable tariffs, quotas, import/export regulations, and environmental controls. These raw materials are foundational to industries ranging from galvanizing and die-casting to battery manufacturing and chemicals. Historically, zinc ores have been a cornerstone of industrial development, with major trade flows from mining regions to smelting hubs worldwide, directly linking this heading to global manufacturing supply chains. This heading sits within Chapter 26, "Ores, slag and ash," specifically identifying it as a primary metallic ore, distinct from refined metals (Chapter 79) or zinc compounds (Chapter 28), emphasizing its role as an unprocessed or minimally processed raw material.
What products fall under HS code 2608?
Sphalerite concentrate, smithsonite ore, zinc blende, calamine ore, zinc carbonate ore, zinc sulfide concentrate, willemite ore, franklinite ore, zinc oxide ore (natural), zinc silicate ore, zinc-lead concentrates, zinc-copper concentrates, flotation zinc concentrate, heavy media zinc concentrate, beneficiated zinc ore, raw zinc ore lumps, crushed zinc ore, pulverised zinc ore, zinc mineral sand, high-grade zinc ore, low-grade zinc ore, zinc-iron concentrates, primary zinc ore
What are common misclassifications for HS code 2608?
A common misclassification involves distinguishing zinc ores and concentrates (2608) from refined zinc metal (Chapter 79, e.g., 7901 for unwrought zinc) or specific zinc chemical compounds like zinc oxide (2817). Traders often mistakenly classify highly concentrated zinc products or partially roasted ores as refined metals or chemicals. The key distinction lies in the degree of processing: 2608 covers natural ores and concentrates obtained through physical or mechanical beneficiation, not chemical extraction or smelting that produces a pure metal or defined chemical compound. Another common error is confusing zinc-bearing slag or ash (2620) with primary zinc ores, which are distinct by their origin as mining output rather than industrial waste.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 2608?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2608 in UN Comtrade data were Peru (about $2.2B, 17% of world exports), Australia ($1.6B) and the United States ($1.5B). World exports came to about $13.0B, 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 2608?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2608 in UN Comtrade data were China ($5.9B, 42% of world imports), South Korea ($1.7B) and Spain ($1.1B). World imports came to about $14.1B, 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.
How is HS code 2608 structured?
HS code 2608 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 26 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (26) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (08) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.