HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 2616.10 – Silver ores and concentrates

HS code 2616.10 is the 6-digit subheading for silver ores and concentrates. It is used for silver ore, silver concentrate, argentite ore, native silver concentrate and pyrargyrite concentrate.

What HS 2616.10 covers

This HS code covers silver ores and concentrates, representing the initial raw material stage in the silver supply chain. These materials are typically extracted from mines and then processed to increase their silver content before being sent to refineries. International trade in silver ores is driven by the global demand for silver in industries such as electronics (e.g., solar panels, electrical contacts), jewelry, coinage, and investment. Major mining companies in silver-rich regions are the primary exporters, while countries with advanced refining capabilities and high industrial demand for silver, like China, India, and the USA, are key importers. The market for these concentrates is influenced by global silver prices, mining costs, and environmental regulations surrounding extraction and processing. Understanding the purity and form of the concentrate is crucial for trade valuation.

Covers
  • Silver ore
  • Silver concentrate
  • Argentite ore
  • Native silver concentrate
  • Pyrargyrite concentrate
  • Acanthite concentrate
  • Stephanite concentrate
Examples
  • Fresnillo plc (Mexico)
  • Polymetal International (Russia)
  • Pan American Silver (Canada)
  • KGHM Polska Miedź (Poland)
  • Hecla Mining (USA)

Codes often confused with 2616.10

Common mistake. This code can be confused with 7106 (unwrought silver) if the material is already refined or nearly pure, or with 260300 (copper ores) if silver is a significant byproduct but not the primary valuable component.

71.06Silver (including silver plated with gold or platinum); unwrought or in semi-manufactured forms, or in powder form2603.00Copper ores and concentrates

Top exporters and importers of HS code 261610, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 261610 in UN Comtrade data was Peru, with about 47% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 89% 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. 1 Peru* ~$2.8B
  2. 2 Bolivia $1.7B
  3. 3 Russia* ~$571M

World total: $5.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 China $7.4B
  2. 2 South Korea $520M
  3. 3 Kazakhstan $63M

World total: $8.4B 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 2616.10

Brazil does not split HS 2616.10: its NCM code is 2616.10.00.

  1. 2616.10.00 Silver ores and concentratesMinérios de prata e seus concentrados

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 26.16 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 2616.10

What is HS code 261610?

HS code 261610 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Silver ores and concentrates. This HS code covers silver ores and concentrates, representing the initial raw material stage in the silver supply chain. These materials are typically extracted from mines and then processed to increase their silver content before being sent to refineries. International trade in silver ores is driven by the global demand for silver in industries such as electronics (e.g., solar panels, electrical contacts), jewelry, coinage, and investment. Major mining companies in silver-rich regions are the primary exporters, while countries with advanced refining capabilities and high industrial demand for silver, like China, India, and the USA, are key importers. The market for these concentrates is influenced by global silver prices, mining costs, and environmental regulations surrounding extraction and processing. Understanding the purity and form of the concentrate is crucial for trade valuation.

What products fall under HS code 261610?

Silver ore, silver concentrate, argentite ore, native silver concentrate, pyrargyrite concentrate, acanthite concentrate, stephanite concentrate

What are common misclassifications for HS code 261610?

This code can be confused with 7106 (unwrought silver) if the material is already refined or nearly pure, or with 260300 (copper ores) if silver is a significant byproduct but not the primary valuable component.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 261610?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 261610 in UN Comtrade data were Peru (about $2.8B, 47% of world exports), Bolivia ($1.7B) and Russia (about $571M). World exports came to about $5.9B, 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 261610?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 261610 in UN Comtrade data were China ($7.4B, 89% of world imports), South Korea ($520M) and Kazakhstan ($63M). World imports came to about $8.4B, 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 261610 structured?

HS code 261610 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (26) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (16) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 261610?

In Brazil, HS code 261610 is NCM 2616.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.