HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2620.91 – Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing antimony, beryllium, cadmium, chromium or their mixtures
HS code 2620.91 is the 6-digit subheading for slag, ash and residues, (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing antimony, beryllium, cadmium, chromium or their mixtures. It is used for antimony slag, beryllium-containing ash, cadmium residues, chromium dross and spent catalysts with these metals.
What HS 2620.91 covers
This HS code covers slag, ash, and residues containing antimony, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, or their mixtures, excluding those from iron or steel manufacturing. These materials are important for the recovery of critical and sometimes toxic metals, serving as secondary raw materials for various industries. The trade involves specialized processing to extract these elements, often from industrial by-products. Importers are typically specialized metal refiners, chemical manufacturers, and recycling companies equipped to handle these specific metal-bearing residues. Exporters originate from diverse industrial sectors, including plating, battery manufacturing, and mining. Key aspects of this trade include accurate analysis of metal content, managing potential environmental risks associated with these elements, and navigating complex international waste regulations to ensure responsible handling and recovery.
- Covers
- Antimony slag
- Beryllium-containing ash
- Cadmium residues
- Chromium dross
- Spent catalysts with these metals
- Plating sludge
- Lead-acid battery paste
- Examples
- BASF spent catalysts
- Umicore recycling inputs
- various industrial plating sludges
- battery manufacturing residues
Codes often confused with 2620.91
Common mistake. Can be confused with 262099 if the specific metal content is not clearly defined or if it's a mixture where none predominates, or 3825 for general hazardous waste.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 262091, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 262091 in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 48% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Belgium, with 72% 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 South Korea $9.2M 48% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $4.4M 23% of world exports
- 3 Poland $2.2M 11% of world exports
World total: $19M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Belgium $5.0M 72% of world imports
- 2 Germany $955K 14% of world imports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$411K 5.9% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $6.9M 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 2620.91
Brazil does not split HS 2620.91: its NCM code is 2620.91.00.
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 2620.91
What is HS code 262091?
HS code 262091 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing antimony, beryllium, cadmium, chromium or their mixtures. This HS code covers slag, ash, and residues containing antimony, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, or their mixtures, excluding those from iron or steel manufacturing. These materials are important for the recovery of critical and sometimes toxic metals, serving as secondary raw materials for various industries. The trade involves specialized processing to extract these elements, often from industrial by-products. Importers are typically specialized metal refiners, chemical manufacturers, and recycling companies equipped to handle these specific metal-bearing residues. Exporters originate from diverse industrial sectors, including plating, battery manufacturing, and mining. Key aspects of this trade include accurate analysis of metal content, managing potential environmental risks associated with these elements, and navigating complex international waste regulations to ensure responsible handling and recovery.
What products fall under HS code 262091?
Antimony slag, beryllium-containing ash, cadmium residues, chromium dross, spent catalysts with these metals, plating sludge, lead-acid battery paste
What are common misclassifications for HS code 262091?
Can be confused with 262099 if the specific metal content is not clearly defined or if it's a mixture where none predominates, or 3825 for general hazardous waste.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 262091?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 262091 in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($9.2M, 48% of world exports), the Netherlands ($4.4M) and Poland ($2.2M). World exports came to about $19M, 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 262091?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 262091 in UN Comtrade data were Belgium ($5.0M, 72% of world imports), Germany ($955K) and Taiwan (about $411K). World imports came to about $6.9M, 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 262091 structured?
HS code 262091 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 (91) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 262091?
In Brazil, HS code 262091 is NCM 2620.91.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.