HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2610.00 – Chromium ores and concentrates
HS code 2610.00 is the 6-digit subheading for chromium ores and concentrates. It is used for chromite ore, high-grade chromite concentrate, metallurgical chromite, chemical-grade chromite and foundry-grade chromite.
What HS 2610.00 covers
Chromium ores and concentrates are vital for the production of ferrochrome, which is then used to manufacture stainless steel, a cornerstone of modern construction, automotive, and consumer goods industries. These raw materials are primarily sourced from countries with rich chromite deposits and then shipped globally to smelters. Major importers include China, India, and European Union nations, all of which have substantial stainless steel production capacities. Key exporters are South Africa, Kazakhstan, and Turkey. The trade in chromium ores is influenced by global steel demand, energy costs for smelting, and environmental regulations concerning mining and processing. The quality of the concentrate, particularly its chromium-to-iron ratio and impurity levels, significantly impacts its market price and suitability for various metallurgical applications. Geopolitical stability in major producing regions can also affect supply chains and price stability.
- Covers
- Chromite ore
- High-grade chromite concentrate
- Metallurgical chromite
- Chemical-grade chromite
- Foundry-grade chromite
- Refractory-grade chromite
- Examples
- Samancor Chrome (South Africa)
- Eurasian Resources Group (Kazakhstan)
- Yildirim Group (Turkey)
- Merafe Resources (South Africa)
Codes often confused with 2610.00
Common mistake. This code is distinct from ferro-chromium (HS 720241 or 720249), which is an alloy produced from chromite ore, or chromium waste and scrap (HS 720429).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 261000, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 261000 in UN Comtrade data was South Africa, with 77% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 82% 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 $5.2B 77% of world exports
- 2 Zimbabwe* ~$625M 9.3% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Türkiye $324M 4.8% of world exports
World total: $6.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $6.2B 82% of world imports
- 2 Indonesia $716M 9.6% of world imports
- 3 United Arab Emirates* ~$138M 1.8% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $7.5B 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 2610.00 2
Brazil splits HS 2610.00 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 26.10 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2610.00
What is HS code 261000?
HS code 261000 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Chromium ores and concentrates. Chromium ores and concentrates are vital for the production of ferrochrome, which is then used to manufacture stainless steel, a cornerstone of modern construction, automotive, and consumer goods industries. These raw materials are primarily sourced from countries with rich chromite deposits and then shipped globally to smelters. Major importers include China, India, and European Union nations, all of which have substantial stainless steel production capacities. Key exporters are South Africa, Kazakhstan, and Turkey. The trade in chromium ores is influenced by global steel demand, energy costs for smelting, and environmental regulations concerning mining and processing. The quality of the concentrate, particularly its chromium-to-iron ratio and impurity levels, significantly impacts its market price and suitability for various metallurgical applications. Geopolitical stability in major producing regions can also affect supply chains and price stability.
What products fall under HS code 261000?
Chromite ore, High-grade chromite concentrate, Metallurgical chromite, Chemical-grade chromite, Foundry-grade chromite, Refractory-grade chromite
What are common misclassifications for HS code 261000?
This code is distinct from ferro-chromium (HS 720241 or 720249), which is an alloy produced from chromite ore, or chromium waste and scrap (HS 720429).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 261000?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 261000 in UN Comtrade data were South Africa ($5.2B, 77% of world exports), Zimbabwe (about $625M) and Türkiye ($324M). World exports 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 261000?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 261000 in UN Comtrade data were China ($6.2B, 82% of world imports), Indonesia ($716M) and the United Arab Emirates (about $138M). World imports came to about $7.5B, 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 261000 structured?
HS code 261000 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (26) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (10) 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 261000?
Brazil splits HS code 261000 into 2 NCM codes: 2610.00.10 (Chromite), 2610.00.90 (Other chromium ores and concentrates). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.