HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 26.19 – Slag, dross; (other than granulated slag), scalings and other waste from the manufacture of iron or steel
What HS 26.19 covers
Heading 2619 encompasses "Slag, dross; (other than granulated slag), scalings and other waste from the manufacture of iron or steel." This classification serves as a broad category for various solid by-products and residues generated during the iron and steel production processes, explicitly excluding the granulated slag covered by HS 2618. The scope includes different forms of slag (e.g., blast furnace slag, steelmaking slag), dross (impurities floating on molten metal), and mill scale (iron oxides formed on the surface of hot steel). The crucial boundary is that these materials must originate from iron or steel manufacturing and not be in a granulated form. Key sub-categories include basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag, electric arc furnace (EAF) slag, ladle furnace slag, and rolling mill scale. This classification is vital for trade compliance as these materials, while often considered waste, possess economic value for recycling, road construction, or as raw materials in other industries. Their composition can vary significantly, impacting handling, environmental regulations, and potential end-uses. Historically, these materials were often landfilled, but increasing environmental awareness and resource scarcity have driven efforts to valorize and trade them. As part of Chapter 26, this heading groups these iron and steel manufacturing residues together, distinguishing them from slags of non-ferrous metal production or other ashes.
- Covers
- Blast furnace slag (non-granulated)
- Steelmaking slag
- Basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag
- Electric arc furnace (EAF) slag
- Ladle furnace slag
- Mill scale
- Rolling mill scale
- Tundish slag
- Casting slag
- Desulphurization slag
- Dephosphorization slag
- Slag wool raw material
- Road construction aggregate (non-granulated slag)
- Railway ballast (non-granulated slag)
- Metallurgical flux (slag)
- Waste iron chips (with slag content)
- Steel mill dust (slag-rich)
- Converter slag
- Reheating furnace scale
- Soaking pit scale
- Scarfing scale
- Slag from continuous casting
- Slag for cement clinker production (non-granulated).
- Examples
A major Indian steel producer regularly exports non-granulated steelmaking slag to countries in the Middle East, such as Saudi Arabia and UAE, where it is used as a robust aggregate in road construction and civil engineering projects due to its superior load-bearing properties. European integrated steelworks, particularly from Germany and France, often export significant quantities of mill scale to China, where it is re-processed and melted down in blast furnaces as a valuable iron-bearing raw material, contributing to resource efficiency. Furthermore, South American countries like Brazil and Argentina frequently import various forms of non-granulated slags from North American steel manufacturers for use as railway ballast and general construction aggregates, leveraging established shipping routes across the Atlantic.
Subheadings under 26.19 1
Codes often confused with 26.19
Common mistake. A common mistake is confusing non-granulated slag (HS 2619) with its granulated counterpart (HS 2618). The distinction is purely physical form: 2618 is rapidly cooled and granular, while 2619 covers all other forms of slag. Another error is classifying high-iron content slag or mill scale as ferrous waste and scrap (HS 7204) if the primary intent is re-melting. While it contains iron, HS 2619 specifically covers 'waste from the manufacture of iron or steel' as distinct from scrap metal. Additionally, if the slag contains significant levels of non-ferrous metals, it might be mistakenly classified under HS 2620, but 2619 is strictly for iron/steel manufacturing residues.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 2619, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 2619 in UN Comtrade data was India, with 13% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 30% 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 India $69M 13% of world exports
- 2 United Arab Emirates* ~$43M 8.4% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Belgium $42M 8.2% of world exports
World total: $511M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Malaysia $147M 30% of world imports
- 2 Indonesia $57M 12% of world imports
- 3 Philippines $32M 6.5% of world imports
World total: $489M 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.
Questions about HS 26.19
What is HS code 2619?
HS code 2619 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Slag, dross; (other than granulated slag), scalings and other waste from the manufacture of iron or steel. Heading 2619 encompasses "Slag, dross; (other than granulated slag), scalings and other waste from the manufacture of iron or steel." This classification serves as a broad category for various solid by-products and residues generated during the iron and steel production processes, explicitly excluding the granulated slag covered by HS 2618. The scope includes different forms of slag (e.g., blast furnace slag, steelmaking slag), dross (impurities floating on molten metal), and mill scale (iron oxides formed on the surface of hot steel). The crucial boundary is that these materials must originate from iron or steel manufacturing and not be in a granulated form. Key sub-categories include basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag, electric arc furnace (EAF) slag, ladle furnace slag, and rolling mill scale. This classification is vital for trade compliance as these materials, while often considered waste, possess economic value for recycling, road construction, or as raw materials in other industries. Their composition can vary significantly, impacting handling, environmental regulations, and potential end-uses. Historically, these materials were often landfilled, but increasing environmental awareness and resource scarcity have driven efforts to valorize and trade them. As part of Chapter 26, this heading groups these iron and steel manufacturing residues together, distinguishing them from slags of non-ferrous metal production or other ashes.
What products fall under HS code 2619?
Blast furnace slag (non-granulated), steelmaking slag, basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag, electric arc furnace (EAF) slag, ladle furnace slag, mill scale, rolling mill scale, tundish slag, casting slag, desulphurization slag, dephosphorization slag, slag wool raw material, road construction aggregate (non-granulated slag), railway ballast (non-granulated slag), metallurgical flux (slag), waste iron chips (with slag content), steel mill dust (slag-rich), converter slag, reheating furnace scale, soaking pit scale, scarfing scale, slag from continuous casting, slag for cement clinker production (non-granulated).
What are common misclassifications for HS code 2619?
A common mistake is confusing non-granulated slag (HS 2619) with its granulated counterpart (HS 2618). The distinction is purely physical form: 2618 is rapidly cooled and granular, while 2619 covers all other forms of slag. Another error is classifying high-iron content slag or mill scale as ferrous waste and scrap (HS 7204) if the primary intent is re-melting. While it contains iron, HS 2619 specifically covers 'waste from the manufacture of iron or steel' as distinct from scrap metal. Additionally, if the slag contains significant levels of non-ferrous metals, it might be mistakenly classified under HS 2620, but 2619 is strictly for iron/steel manufacturing residues.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 2619?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2619 in UN Comtrade data were India ($69M, 13% of world exports), the United Arab Emirates (about $43M) and Belgium ($42M). World exports came to about $511M, 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 2619?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2619 in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($147M, 30% of world imports), Indonesia ($57M) and the Philippines ($32M). World imports came to about $489M, 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 2619 structured?
HS code 2619 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 26 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (26) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (19) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.