HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2612.20 – Thorium ores and concentrates
HS code 2612.20 is the 6-digit subheading for thorium ores and concentrates. It is used for monazite sand (thorium-rich), thorianite concentrate, thorium oxide concentrate, thorium ore (raw) and thorium-bearing rare earth concentrate.
What HS 2612.20 covers
Thorium ores and concentrates are traded as potential future nuclear fuel, though their current commercial use is limited compared to uranium. Thorium is also used in specialized applications like high-quality optics, welding electrodes, and aerospace alloys. Countries with significant rare earth deposits, such as India, Brazil, and Australia, often have thorium as a co-product. Importers are typically research-focused nations or those exploring thorium-based nuclear energy, like India, which has a substantial thorium program. The trade volume is relatively small but holds strategic interest due to thorium's potential as a cleaner and more abundant alternative to uranium in nuclear reactors. Key things to know include the long-term research and development efforts, the regulatory hurdles associated with its radioactivity, and the challenges of processing and handling. Its presence in monazite sands, often alongside rare earth elements, means its extraction is frequently tied to rare earth mining operations.
- Covers
- Monazite sand (thorium-rich)
- Thorianite concentrate
- Thorium oxide concentrate
- Thorium ore (raw)
- Thorium-bearing rare earth concentrate
- Examples
- Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL)
- Lynas Rare Earths (Australia, as a byproduct)
- China Northern Rare Earth Group
Codes often confused with 2612.20
Common mistake. This code might be confused with rare earth metal ores (HS 261710) due to their co-occurrence, but thorium is specifically classified here.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 261220, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 261220 in UN Comtrade data was Madagascar, with 70% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 100% of world imports. Austria reports $1.1B of its chapter 26 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Madagascar $14M 70% of world exports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$1.8M 9.5% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 South Africa $1.5M 8.0% of world exports
World total: $19M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $275M 100% of world imports
- 2 Malaysia $556K 0.2% of world imports
- 3 France $13K <0.1% of world imports
Austria reports $1.1B of its chapter 26 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $276M 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 code for 2612.20
Brazil does not split HS 2612.20: its NCM code is 2612.20.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 26.12 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2612.20
What is HS code 261220?
HS code 261220 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Thorium ores and concentrates. Thorium ores and concentrates are traded as potential future nuclear fuel, though their current commercial use is limited compared to uranium. Thorium is also used in specialized applications like high-quality optics, welding electrodes, and aerospace alloys. Countries with significant rare earth deposits, such as India, Brazil, and Australia, often have thorium as a co-product. Importers are typically research-focused nations or those exploring thorium-based nuclear energy, like India, which has a substantial thorium program. The trade volume is relatively small but holds strategic interest due to thorium's potential as a cleaner and more abundant alternative to uranium in nuclear reactors. Key things to know include the long-term research and development efforts, the regulatory hurdles associated with its radioactivity, and the challenges of processing and handling. Its presence in monazite sands, often alongside rare earth elements, means its extraction is frequently tied to rare earth mining operations.
What products fall under HS code 261220?
Monazite sand (thorium-rich), Thorianite concentrate, Thorium oxide concentrate, Thorium ore (raw), Thorium-bearing rare earth concentrate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 261220?
This code might be confused with rare earth metal ores (HS 261710) due to their co-occurrence, but thorium is specifically classified here.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 261220?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 261220 in UN Comtrade data were Madagascar ($14M, 70% of world exports), Vietnam (about $1.8M) and South Africa ($1.5M). World exports came to about $19M, 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 261220?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 261220 in UN Comtrade data were China ($275M, 100% of world imports), Malaysia ($556K) and France ($13K). World imports came to about $276M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Austria reports $1.1B of its chapter 26 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
How is HS code 261220 structured?
HS code 261220 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (26) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (12) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 261220?
In Brazil, HS code 261220 is NCM 2612.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.