HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2615.90 – Niobium, tantalum, vanadium ores and concentrates
HS code 2615.90 is the 6-digit subheading for niobium, tantalum, vanadium ores and concentrates. It is used for pyrochlore concentrate (niobium), columbite-tantalite (coltan) ore, vanadium pentoxide concentrate, vanadinite ore and niobium ore.
What HS 2615.90 covers
This HS code covers a group of critical strategic minerals: niobium, tantalum, and vanadium ores and concentrates. These elements are vital for producing high-performance alloys used in aerospace, electronics, automotive, and chemical processing industries due to their unique properties like high strength, corrosion resistance, and superconductivity. Niobium is crucial for high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels, tantalum for capacitors in electronics, and vanadium for steel hardening and battery technologies. Major importers are industrialized nations with advanced manufacturing capabilities, including China, the United States, Japan, and Germany. Leading exporters are countries rich in these deposits, such as Brazil (niobium), Democratic Republic of Congo (tantalum), and South Africa (vanadium). The trade is heavily influenced by global technological demand, geopolitical stability in producing regions, and concerns over conflict minerals, particularly for tantalum. Purity and concentration levels are paramount for their specific industrial applications.
- Covers
- Pyrochlore concentrate (niobium)
- Columbite-tantalite (coltan) ore
- Vanadium pentoxide concentrate
- Vanadinite ore
- Niobium ore
- Tantalum concentrate
- Examples
- CBMM (Brazil - Niobium)
- AMG Critical Materials (Brazil/Germany - Tantalum)
- Bushveld Minerals (South Africa - Vanadium)
- Global Advanced Metals (Australia/US - Tantalum)
Codes often confused with 2615.90
Common mistake. This code groups these three distinct elements; care must be taken not to confuse them with their refined metals (e.g., unwrought niobium HS 811212, unwrought tantalum HS 811292, unwrought vanadium HS 811299).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 261590, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 261590 in UN Comtrade data was Rwanda, with about 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 65% 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 Rwanda* ~$166M 37% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Malaysia $59M 13% of world exports
- 3 DR Congo* ~$53M 12% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $446M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $416M 65% of world imports
- 2 Thailand $92M 15% of world imports
- 3 Malaysia $52M 8.2% of world imports
World total: $636M 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 2615.90
Brazil does not split HS 2615.90: its NCM code is 2615.90.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 26.15 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2615.90
What is HS code 261590?
HS code 261590 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Niobium, tantalum, vanadium ores and concentrates. This HS code covers a group of critical strategic minerals: niobium, tantalum, and vanadium ores and concentrates. These elements are vital for producing high-performance alloys used in aerospace, electronics, automotive, and chemical processing industries due to their unique properties like high strength, corrosion resistance, and superconductivity. Niobium is crucial for high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels, tantalum for capacitors in electronics, and vanadium for steel hardening and battery technologies. Major importers are industrialized nations with advanced manufacturing capabilities, including China, the United States, Japan, and Germany. Leading exporters are countries rich in these deposits, such as Brazil (niobium), Democratic Republic of Congo (tantalum), and South Africa (vanadium). The trade is heavily influenced by global technological demand, geopolitical stability in producing regions, and concerns over conflict minerals, particularly for tantalum. Purity and concentration levels are paramount for their specific industrial applications.
What products fall under HS code 261590?
Pyrochlore concentrate (niobium), Columbite-tantalite (coltan) ore, Vanadium pentoxide concentrate, Vanadinite ore, Niobium ore, Tantalum concentrate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 261590?
This code groups these three distinct elements; care must be taken not to confuse them with their refined metals (e.g., unwrought niobium HS 811212, unwrought tantalum HS 811292, unwrought vanadium HS 811299).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 261590?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 261590 in UN Comtrade data were Rwanda (about $166M, 37% of world exports), Malaysia ($59M) and the DR Congo (about $53M). World exports came to about $446M, 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 261590?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 261590 in UN Comtrade data were China ($416M, 65% of world imports), Thailand ($92M) and Malaysia ($52M). World imports came to about $636M, 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 261590 structured?
HS code 261590 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (26) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (15) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 261590?
In Brazil, HS code 261590 is NCM 2615.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.