HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2804.69 – Silicon; containing by weight less than 99.99% of silicon
HS code 2804.69 is the 6-digit subheading for silicon, containing by weight less than 99.99% of silicon. It is used for metallurgical-grade silicon, silicon metal lumps, silicon powder (industrial grade), silicon for aluminum alloys and silicon for silicone production.
What HS 2804.69 covers
This HS code encompasses silicon with a purity level below 99.99%, often referred to as metallurgical-grade silicon or lower-grade solar silicon. While not suitable for high-end semiconductors, this silicon is crucial for a wide array of industrial applications. It serves as a primary raw material in the production of aluminum alloys, where it enhances strength and castability, and in the chemical industry for manufacturing silicones, silanes, and fumed silica. It's also used in some less demanding solar cell applications. Major importers include countries with significant automotive, construction, and chemical industries, such as Germany, Japan, and the United States. Exporters are typically countries with abundant quartz deposits and energy-intensive smelting operations, like China, Brazil, and Norway. Trade in this commodity is driven by industrial demand, energy costs for production, and the availability of raw materials. Its lower purity makes it more cost-effective for bulk industrial uses compared to its ultra-pure counterpart.
- Covers
- Metallurgical-grade silicon
- Silicon metal lumps
- Silicon powder (industrial grade)
- Silicon for aluminum alloys
- Silicon for silicone production
- Fumed silica precursor
- Examples
- Elkem Silicon Metal
- Rima Group Silicon
- Ferroglobe Silicon
- Dow Silicones (raw material)
- Wacker Chemie (raw material)
Codes often confused with 2804.69
Common mistake. This code is distinct from high-purity silicon (2804.61) due to its lower purity threshold, and it should not be confused with silicon alloys like ferrosilicon (7202.2x) which are composite materials.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 280469, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 280469 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 39% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 17% 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 China $1.0B 39% of world exports
- 2 Norway $499M 19% of world exports
- 3 Brazil $419M 16% of world exports
World total: $2.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $497M 17% of world imports
- 2 United States $487M 17% of world imports
- 3 Japan $315M 11% of world imports
World total: $2.9B 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 2804.69
Brazil does not split HS 2804.69: its NCM code is 2804.69.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 28.04 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product falls under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Importers to the EU must declare embedded carbon emissions and purchase CBAM certificates.
Questions about HS 2804.69
What is HS code 280469?
HS code 280469 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Silicon; containing by weight less than 99.99% of silicon. This HS code encompasses silicon with a purity level below 99.99%, often referred to as metallurgical-grade silicon or lower-grade solar silicon. While not suitable for high-end semiconductors, this silicon is crucial for a wide array of industrial applications. It serves as a primary raw material in the production of aluminum alloys, where it enhances strength and castability, and in the chemical industry for manufacturing silicones, silanes, and fumed silica. It's also used in some less demanding solar cell applications. Major importers include countries with significant automotive, construction, and chemical industries, such as Germany, Japan, and the United States. Exporters are typically countries with abundant quartz deposits and energy-intensive smelting operations, like China, Brazil, and Norway. Trade in this commodity is driven by industrial demand, energy costs for production, and the availability of raw materials. Its lower purity makes it more cost-effective for bulk industrial uses compared to its ultra-pure counterpart.
What products fall under HS code 280469?
Metallurgical-grade silicon, Silicon metal lumps, Silicon powder (industrial grade), Silicon for aluminum alloys, Silicon for silicone production, Fumed silica precursor
What are common misclassifications for HS code 280469?
This code is distinct from high-purity silicon (2804.61) due to its lower purity threshold, and it should not be confused with silicon alloys like ferrosilicon (7202.2x) which are composite materials.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 280469?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 280469 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.0B, 39% of world exports), Norway ($499M) and Brazil ($419M). World exports came to about $2.6B, 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 280469?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 280469 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($497M, 17% of world imports), the United States ($487M) and Japan ($315M). World imports came to about $2.9B, 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 280469 structured?
HS code 280469 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (69) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 280469?
In Brazil, HS code 280469 is NCM 2804.69.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.