HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2620.29 – Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly lead; excluding leaded gasoline sludges and leaded anti-knock compound sludges
HS code 2620.29 is the 6-digit subheading for slag, ash and residues, (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly lead, excluding leaded gasoline sludges and leaded anti-knock compound sludges. It is used for lead battery paste, lead dross, lead ash, lead skimmings and lead smelting slag.
What HS 2620.29 covers
This HS code covers a broad category of lead-containing slags, ashes, and residues from various non-iron/steel manufacturing processes, excluding the specific leaded gasoline sludges of 262021. This includes residues from lead smelting, battery recycling (e.g., battery paste), cable sheathing, and other industrial applications. These materials are crucial for the secondary lead industry, serving as essential feedstock for lead refiners to produce recycled lead, primarily for lead-acid batteries. The international trade is driven by the high demand for lead recycling and the economic and environmental benefits of using secondary materials. Strict environmental and safety regulations are paramount due to lead's toxicity, influencing transport, processing, and global trade routes.
- Covers
- Lead battery paste
- Lead dross
- Lead ash
- Lead skimmings
- Lead smelting slag
- Lead oxide residues
- Spent lead-acid battery components (excluding whole batteries)
- Lead dust
- Examples
- Ecobat (lead recycler)
- Doe Run Company (lead producer/recycler)
- Recylex S.A. (recycling group)
- Gravita India
- RSR Corporation
Codes often confused with 2620.29
Common mistake. Often confused with 262021 if the specific origin of the lead residue is not clear, or with 7802 (lead waste and scrap) if the material is more metallic scrap than a processing residue, or 854810 if it's a whole battery.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 262029, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 262029 in UN Comtrade data was France, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 42% 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 France $59M 33% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $42M 24% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $18M 10% of world exports
World total: $178M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 South Korea $150M 42% of world imports
- 2 Germany $96M 27% of world imports
- 3 Belgium $36M 10% of world imports
World total: $354M 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.
Brazil NCM code for 2620.29
Brazil does not split HS 2620.29: its NCM code is 2620.29.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 26.20 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2620.29
What is HS code 262029?
HS code 262029 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly lead; excluding leaded gasoline sludges and leaded anti-knock compound sludges. This HS code covers a broad category of lead-containing slags, ashes, and residues from various non-iron/steel manufacturing processes, excluding the specific leaded gasoline sludges of 262021. This includes residues from lead smelting, battery recycling (e.g., battery paste), cable sheathing, and other industrial applications. These materials are crucial for the secondary lead industry, serving as essential feedstock for lead refiners to produce recycled lead, primarily for lead-acid batteries. The international trade is driven by the high demand for lead recycling and the economic and environmental benefits of using secondary materials. Strict environmental and safety regulations are paramount due to lead's toxicity, influencing transport, processing, and global trade routes.
What products fall under HS code 262029?
Lead battery paste, lead dross, lead ash, lead skimmings, lead smelting slag, lead oxide residues, spent lead-acid battery components (excluding whole batteries), lead dust
What are common misclassifications for HS code 262029?
Often confused with 262021 if the specific origin of the lead residue is not clear, or with 7802 (lead waste and scrap) if the material is more metallic scrap than a processing residue, or 854810 if it's a whole battery.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 262029?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 262029 in UN Comtrade data were France ($59M, 33% of world exports), the Netherlands ($42M) and Belgium ($18M). World exports came to about $178M, 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 262029?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 262029 in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($150M, 42% of world imports), Germany ($96M) and Belgium ($36M). World imports came to about $354M, 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 262029 structured?
HS code 262029 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (26) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (20) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (29) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 262029?
In Brazil, HS code 262029 is NCM 2620.29.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.