HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 2620.99 – Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly metals or their compounds, n.e.c. in heading no. 2620

HS code 2620.99 is the 6-digit subheading for slag, ash and residues, (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly metals or their compounds, n.e.c. in heading no. 2620. It is used for zinc dross, lead slag, nickel ash, tin residues and precious metal-bearing ash.

What HS 2620.99 covers

This is a catch-all HS code for slag, ash, and residues (not from iron or steel manufacture) containing mainly metals or their compounds, not elsewhere specified in heading 2620. It covers a wide array of diverse industrial by-products that serve as secondary raw materials for metal recovery, contributing significantly to the circular economy. This category includes residues from various non-ferrous metal processing, electronics recycling, and other industrial activities. Importers are diverse recyclers, metal extractors, and specialized waste processors seeking valuable metal content. Exporters are various industries generating these residues. Key considerations in this trade involve the heterogeneity of the materials, the need for comprehensive analysis to determine metal content and impurities, and compliance with environmental regulations for transboundary movement of these often complex mixtures.

Covers
  • Zinc dross
  • Lead slag
  • Nickel ash
  • Tin residues
  • Precious metal-bearing ash
  • Mixed non-ferrous metal dust
  • Spent electronic components residues
Examples
  • Recyclex zinc dross
  • Johnson Matthey precious metal residues
  • various industrial dusts and sludges
  • e-waste processing residues

Codes often confused with 2620.99

Common mistake. This 'other' category is often confused with more specific codes like 262030 (copper) or 262040 (aluminium) if the primary metal is misidentified, or 7112 (precious metal waste) if the precious metal content is very high.

2620.30Slag, 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 aluminium71.12Waste 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 262099, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 262099 in UN Comtrade data was Finland, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 23% 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 Finland $307M
  2. 2 Canada $302M
  3. 3 United States $150M

World total: $1.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $313M
  2. 2 Sweden $307M
  3. 3 Canada $115M

World total: $1.4B 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 codes for 2620.99 2

Brazil splits HS 2620.99 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 2620.99.10 Slag, ash and residues, mainly titaniumQue contenham principalmente titânio
  2. 2620.99.90 Other slag, ash, residues with metals or arsenicOutros

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 2620.99

What is HS code 262099?

HS code 262099 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 metals or their compounds, n.e.c. in heading no. 2620. This is a catch-all HS code for slag, ash, and residues (not from iron or steel manufacture) containing mainly metals or their compounds, not elsewhere specified in heading 2620. It covers a wide array of diverse industrial by-products that serve as secondary raw materials for metal recovery, contributing significantly to the circular economy. This category includes residues from various non-ferrous metal processing, electronics recycling, and other industrial activities. Importers are diverse recyclers, metal extractors, and specialized waste processors seeking valuable metal content. Exporters are various industries generating these residues. Key considerations in this trade involve the heterogeneity of the materials, the need for comprehensive analysis to determine metal content and impurities, and compliance with environmental regulations for transboundary movement of these often complex mixtures.

What products fall under HS code 262099?

Zinc dross, lead slag, nickel ash, tin residues, precious metal-bearing ash, mixed non-ferrous metal dust, spent electronic components residues

What are common misclassifications for HS code 262099?

This 'other' category is often confused with more specific codes like 262030 (copper) or 262040 (aluminium) if the primary metal is misidentified, or 7112 (precious metal waste) if the precious metal content is very high.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 262099?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 262099 in UN Comtrade data were Finland ($307M, 23% of world exports), Canada ($302M) and the United States ($150M). World exports came to about $1.4B, 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 262099?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 262099 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($313M, 23% of world imports), Sweden ($307M) and Canada ($115M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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 262099 structured?

HS code 262099 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 (99) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 262099?

Brazil splits HS code 262099 into 2 NCM codes: 2620.99.10 (Slag, ash and residues, mainly titanium), 2620.99.90 (Other slag, ash, residues with metals or arsenic). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.