HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2616.90 – Precious metal ores and concentrates; (excluding silver)
HS code 2616.90 is the 6-digit subheading for precious metal ores and concentrates, (excluding silver). It is used for gold ore, platinum concentrate, palladium ore, rhodium concentrate and iridium ore.
What HS 2616.90 covers
This category encompasses ores and concentrates of precious metals other than silver, primarily including gold and the platinum group metals (PGMs) such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These high-value commodities are vital for a wide array of industries, including jewelry, automotive catalysts, electronics, and investment. Trade in these concentrates is highly specialized, involving major mining corporations and sophisticated refining operations. Exporters are typically countries with significant geological deposits of these metals, while importers are nations with advanced industrial sectors and refining infrastructure. Geopolitical stability in mining regions, global economic conditions, and technological advancements in applications heavily influence the trade dynamics and pricing of these strategically important materials.
- Covers
- Gold ore
- Platinum concentrate
- Palladium ore
- Rhodium concentrate
- Iridium ore
- Osmium concentrate
- Ruthenium concentrate
- Native gold concentrate
- Examples
- Barrick Gold (Canada)
- Newmont Corporation (USA)
- Anglo American Platinum (South Africa)
- Norilsk Nickel (Russia)
- Sibanye-Stillwater (South Africa)
Codes often confused with 2616.90
Common mistake. Often confused with 7108 (unwrought gold) or 7110 (unwrought platinum) if the material has undergone significant refining, but 261690 is strictly for raw ores and concentrates.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 261690, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 261690 in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 62% 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 Australia $2.9B 17% of world exports
- 2 Peru* ~$2.8B 16% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Russia* ~$1.5B 9.0% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $16.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $11.5B 62% of world imports
- 2 Germany $2.4B 13% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $978M 5.2% of world imports
World total: $18.7B 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 2616.90
Brazil does not split HS 2616.90: its NCM code is 2616.90.00.
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 2616.90
What is HS code 261690?
HS code 261690 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Precious metal ores and concentrates; (excluding silver). This category encompasses ores and concentrates of precious metals other than silver, primarily including gold and the platinum group metals (PGMs) such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These high-value commodities are vital for a wide array of industries, including jewelry, automotive catalysts, electronics, and investment. Trade in these concentrates is highly specialized, involving major mining corporations and sophisticated refining operations. Exporters are typically countries with significant geological deposits of these metals, while importers are nations with advanced industrial sectors and refining infrastructure. Geopolitical stability in mining regions, global economic conditions, and technological advancements in applications heavily influence the trade dynamics and pricing of these strategically important materials.
What products fall under HS code 261690?
Gold ore, platinum concentrate, palladium ore, rhodium concentrate, iridium ore, osmium concentrate, ruthenium concentrate, native gold concentrate
What are common misclassifications for HS code 261690?
Often confused with 7108 (unwrought gold) or 7110 (unwrought platinum) if the material has undergone significant refining, but 261690 is strictly for raw ores and concentrates.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 261690?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 261690 in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($2.9B, 17% of world exports), Peru (about $2.8B) and Russia (about $1.5B). World exports came to about $16.9B, 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 261690?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 261690 in UN Comtrade data were China ($11.5B, 62% of world imports), Germany ($2.4B) and the United Kingdom ($978M). World imports came to about $18.7B, 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.
How is HS code 261690 structured?
HS code 261690 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 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 261690?
In Brazil, HS code 261690 is NCM 2616.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.