HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2608.00 – Zinc ores and concentrates
HS code 2608.00 is the 6-digit subheading for zinc ores and concentrates. It is used for sphalerite concentrate, smithsonite concentrate, hemimorphite concentrate, zinc sulfide ore and zinc oxide ore.
What HS 2608.00 covers
Zinc ores and concentrates are crucial commodities in international trade, primarily used for galvanizing steel to prevent corrosion, a process vital for construction, automotive, and infrastructure sectors. Zinc is also a key component in die-casting alloys, brass, and certain battery types. The trade involves raw zinc-bearing ores, often found in polymetallic deposits alongside lead, which are then concentrated to increase zinc content before export to smelters and refiners. Major mining operations in resource-rich countries supply industrial nations with significant manufacturing bases. The market is driven by global industrial output, infrastructure development, and the demand for durable, corrosion-resistant materials.
- Covers
- Sphalerite concentrate
- Smithsonite concentrate
- Hemimorphite concentrate
- Zinc sulfide ore
- Zinc oxide ore
- Examples
- Red Dog Mine zinc concentrate
- Antamina zinc concentrate
- Hindustan Zinc products
- Nyrstar zinc concentrates
Codes often confused with 2608.00
Common mistake. Frequently confused with 260700 (lead ores) due to co-occurrence in deposits, or 7901 (unwrought zinc) if it's already processed into metal.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 260800, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 260800 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.
Brazil NCM codes for 2608.00 2
Brazil splits HS 2608.00 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2608.00.10 Zinc sulphide ores and concentratesSulfetos
- 2608.00.90 Other zinc ores and concentratesOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 26.08 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2608.00
What is HS code 260800?
HS code 260800 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Zinc ores and concentrates. Zinc ores and concentrates are crucial commodities in international trade, primarily used for galvanizing steel to prevent corrosion, a process vital for construction, automotive, and infrastructure sectors. Zinc is also a key component in die-casting alloys, brass, and certain battery types. The trade involves raw zinc-bearing ores, often found in polymetallic deposits alongside lead, which are then concentrated to increase zinc content before export to smelters and refiners. Major mining operations in resource-rich countries supply industrial nations with significant manufacturing bases. The market is driven by global industrial output, infrastructure development, and the demand for durable, corrosion-resistant materials.
What products fall under HS code 260800?
Sphalerite concentrate, Smithsonite concentrate, Hemimorphite concentrate, Zinc sulfide ore, Zinc oxide ore
What are common misclassifications for HS code 260800?
Frequently confused with 260700 (lead ores) due to co-occurrence in deposits, or 7901 (unwrought zinc) if it's already processed into metal.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 260800?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 260800 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 260800?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 260800 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 260800 structured?
HS code 260800 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (26) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) 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 260800?
Brazil splits HS code 260800 into 2 NCM codes: 2608.00.10 (Zinc sulphide ores and concentrates), 2608.00.90 (Other zinc ores and concentrates). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.