HS code · 4-digit heading

HS Code 26.20 – Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel) containing metals, arsenic or their compounds

What HS 26.20 covers

Heading 2620 specifically covers "Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel) containing metals, arsenic or their compounds." This classification is critically important for managing and trading industrial by-products that are rich in valuable or hazardous elements. The scope is precisely defined by two key criteria: first, the material must *not* originate from iron or steel manufacturing (which falls under 2618 or 2619); and second, it must contain significant quantities of metals (non-ferrous, precious, etc.), arsenic, or their compounds. This distinction is crucial for identifying residues that are either potential sources for metal recovery or pose environmental risks requiring special handling. Key sub-categories include slags from non-ferrous metal smelting (e.g., copper, lead, zinc slag), ash from industrial incineration containing metal concentrates, and spent catalysts with precious metals. This classification is paramount for trade compliance due to its implications for environmental regulations (e.g., Basel Convention on hazardous waste), specialized recycling processes, and the potential value of contained metals. Historically, these residues were often discarded, but advancements in metallurgy and environmental awareness have driven their valorization and international trade for resource recovery. This heading within Chapter 26 (Ores, slag and ash) positions these materials as distinct from generic ashes or iron/steel by-products, emphasizing their specific chemical composition and economic/environmental significance.

Covers
  • Copper slag
  • Lead slag
  • Zinc slag
  • Nickel matte
  • Precious metal refining residues
  • Spent catalysts containing platinum
  • Spent catalysts containing palladium
  • Spent catalysts containing rhodium
  • Arsenic-bearing residues
  • Cadmium-containing ash
  • Spent batteries (for metal recovery)
  • Electronic waste (specific metal-rich forms)
  • Residues from non-ferrous metal smelting
  • Ash from incineration of industrial waste (metal-rich)
  • Dross from aluminum refining
  • Dross from copper refining
  • Dross from zinc refining
  • Residues from mining operations (metal-rich)
  • Metallurgical dust (metal-bearing)
  • Tin slag
  • Cobalt slag
  • Germanium residues
  • Indium-rich ash
  • Selenium-containing waste.
Examples

German refiners frequently import spent catalysts containing platinum, palladium, and rhodium from automotive manufacturers in the United States and Canada, utilizing specialized facilities to recover these high-value precious metals. This represents a significant circular economy route for critical resources. Concurrently, Chinese smelters often import vast quantities of copper slag and zinc slag from mining operations in African countries like Zambia and Congo, extracting residual non-ferrous metals through advanced pyrometallurgical processes. Furthermore, Australian companies export lead-bearing residues and dross from their refining operations to specialized recycling facilities in Europe, particularly Belgium and Germany, to recover lead and other associated metals under strict environmental protocols.

Subheadings under 26.20 9

2620.11Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly zinc, hard zinc spelter2620.19Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly zinc, other than hard zinc spelter2620.21Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly lead; leaded gasoline sludges and leaded anti-knock compound sludges2620.29Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly lead; excluding leaded gasoline sludges and leaded anti-knock compound sludges2620.30Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly copper2620.40Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly aluminium2620.60Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing arsenic, mercury, thallium or their mixtures, of a kind used for the extraction of arsenic or those metals or for the manufacture of their chemical compounds2620.91Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing antimony, beryllium, cadmium, chromium or their mixtures2620.99Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly metals or their compounds, n.e.c. in heading no. 2620

10 Brazil NCM codes in heading 26.20 →

Codes often confused with 26.20

Common mistake. Misclassification often occurs by confusing HS 2620 with HS 2619 (slag from iron/steel manufacture). The critical differentiator for 2620 is that the slag, ash, or residue must *not* be from iron or steel production. Another common error is classifying these materials under HS 2621 if they contain metals or arsenic, as 2621 is for 'slag and ash n.e.c.' and explicitly excludes metal/arsenic-containing residues. Additionally, high-value precious metal residues might be confused with waste and scrap of precious metals (HS 7112), but 2620 specifically covers *residues* containing these, often requiring further processing, rather than identifiable scrap forms.

26.19Slag, dross; (other than granulated slag), scalings and other waste from the manufacture of iron or steel26.21Slag and ash n.e.c. in chapter 26; including seaweed ash (kelp) and ash and residues from the incineration of municipal waste71.12Waste and scrap of precious metal or of metal clad with precious metal; other waste and scrap containing precious metal compounds, of a kind uses principally for the recovery of precious metal other than goods of heading 85.49

Top exporters and importers of HS code 2620, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 2620 in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Sweden, with 11% 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 Australia $1.2B
  2. 2 Canada $339M
  3. 3 Germany $320M

World total: $4.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Sweden $428M
  2. 2 Belgium $376M
  3. 3 Germany $356M

World total: $3.8B 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 that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. 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 26.20

What is HS code 2620?

HS code 2620 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel) containing metals, arsenic or their compounds. Heading 2620 specifically covers "Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel) containing metals, arsenic or their compounds." This classification is critically important for managing and trading industrial by-products that are rich in valuable or hazardous elements. The scope is precisely defined by two key criteria: first, the material must *not* originate from iron or steel manufacturing (which falls under 2618 or 2619); and second, it must contain significant quantities of metals (non-ferrous, precious, etc.), arsenic, or their compounds. This distinction is crucial for identifying residues that are either potential sources for metal recovery or pose environmental risks requiring special handling. Key sub-categories include slags from non-ferrous metal smelting (e.g., copper, lead, zinc slag), ash from industrial incineration containing metal concentrates, and spent catalysts with precious metals. This classification is paramount for trade compliance due to its implications for environmental regulations (e.g., Basel Convention on hazardous waste), specialized recycling processes, and the potential value of contained metals. Historically, these residues were often discarded, but advancements in metallurgy and environmental awareness have driven their valorization and international trade for resource recovery. This heading within Chapter 26 (Ores, slag and ash) positions these materials as distinct from generic ashes or iron/steel by-products, emphasizing their specific chemical composition and economic/environmental significance.

What products fall under HS code 2620?

Copper slag, lead slag, zinc slag, nickel matte, precious metal refining residues, spent catalysts containing platinum, spent catalysts containing palladium, spent catalysts containing rhodium, arsenic-bearing residues, cadmium-containing ash, spent batteries (for metal recovery), electronic waste (specific metal-rich forms), residues from non-ferrous metal smelting, ash from incineration of industrial waste (metal-rich), dross from aluminum refining, dross from copper refining, dross from zinc refining, residues from mining operations (metal-rich), metallurgical dust (metal-bearing), tin slag, cobalt slag, germanium residues, indium-rich ash, selenium-containing waste.

What are common misclassifications for HS code 2620?

Misclassification often occurs by confusing HS 2620 with HS 2619 (slag from iron/steel manufacture). The critical differentiator for 2620 is that the slag, ash, or residue must *not* be from iron or steel production. Another common error is classifying these materials under HS 2621 if they contain metals or arsenic, as 2621 is for 'slag and ash n.e.c.' and explicitly excludes metal/arsenic-containing residues. Additionally, high-value precious metal residues might be confused with waste and scrap of precious metals (HS 7112), but 2620 specifically covers *residues* containing these, often requiring further processing, rather than identifiable scrap forms.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 2620?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2620 in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($1.2B, 26% of world exports), Canada ($339M) and Germany ($320M). World exports came to about $4.6B, 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 2620?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2620 in UN Comtrade data were Sweden ($428M, 11% of world imports), Belgium ($376M) and Germany ($356M). World imports came to about $3.8B, 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 2620 structured?

HS code 2620 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 26 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (26) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (20) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.