HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2804.80 – Arsenic
HS code 2804.80 is the 6-digit subheading for arsenic. It is used for elemental arsenic, high-purity arsenic, arsenic metal lumps, arsenic powder and gallium arsenide precursor.
What HS 2804.80 covers
Arsenic, a metalloid element, is traded internationally primarily in its elemental form, though its compounds are more widely known. While highly toxic, elemental arsenic has niche but critical industrial applications. It is primarily used as an alloying agent, particularly in lead alloys to increase hardness and heat resistance, which are vital for battery grids and ammunition. In the semiconductor industry, high-purity arsenic is used to dope silicon and germanium, and in the production of gallium arsenide (GaAs) for high-speed integrated circuits, LEDs, and laser diodes. Major importers are countries with advanced electronics manufacturing, battery production, and specialized metallurgical industries, such as Japan, South Korea, and the United States. Exporters are typically countries with significant mining operations that yield arsenic as a byproduct, like China, Chile, and Peru. Trade in arsenic is heavily regulated due to its toxicity, requiring strict handling, transport, and disposal protocols, making it a controlled commodity.
- Covers
- Elemental arsenic
- High-purity arsenic
- Arsenic metal lumps
- Arsenic powder
- Gallium arsenide precursor
- Lead-arsenic alloys
- Examples
- Alfa Aesar Arsenic
- American Elements Arsenic
- Materion (high-purity materials)
- Sumitomo Chemical (GaAs wafers, uses arsenic)
- Freiberger Compound Materials (GaAs wafers)
Codes often confused with 2804.80
Common mistake. This code specifically covers elemental arsenic, not its compounds like arsenic trioxide (2811.90) or arsenates (2842.90), which are classified separately based on their chemical structure.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 280480, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 280480 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 25% 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 Germany $2.7M 35% of world exports
- 2 China $2.1M 28% of world exports
- 3 Japan $1.4M 18% of world exports
World total: $7.7M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $2.6M 25% of world imports
- 2 China $1.1M 11% of world imports
- 3 India $978K 9.6% of world imports
World total: $10M 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 2804.80
Brazil does not split HS 2804.80: its NCM code is 2804.80.00.
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 2804.80
What is HS code 280480?
HS code 280480 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Arsenic. Arsenic, a metalloid element, is traded internationally primarily in its elemental form, though its compounds are more widely known. While highly toxic, elemental arsenic has niche but critical industrial applications. It is primarily used as an alloying agent, particularly in lead alloys to increase hardness and heat resistance, which are vital for battery grids and ammunition. In the semiconductor industry, high-purity arsenic is used to dope silicon and germanium, and in the production of gallium arsenide (GaAs) for high-speed integrated circuits, LEDs, and laser diodes. Major importers are countries with advanced electronics manufacturing, battery production, and specialized metallurgical industries, such as Japan, South Korea, and the United States. Exporters are typically countries with significant mining operations that yield arsenic as a byproduct, like China, Chile, and Peru. Trade in arsenic is heavily regulated due to its toxicity, requiring strict handling, transport, and disposal protocols, making it a controlled commodity.
What products fall under HS code 280480?
Elemental arsenic, High-purity arsenic, Arsenic metal lumps, Arsenic powder, Gallium arsenide precursor, Lead-arsenic alloys
What are common misclassifications for HS code 280480?
This code specifically covers elemental arsenic, not its compounds like arsenic trioxide (2811.90) or arsenates (2842.90), which are classified separately based on their chemical structure.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 280480?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 280480 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($2.7M, 35% of world exports), China ($2.1M) and Japan ($1.4M). World exports came to about $7.7M, 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 280480?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 280480 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($2.6M, 25% of world imports), China ($1.1M) and India ($978K). World imports came to about $10M, 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 280480 structured?
HS code 280480 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 (80) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 280480?
In Brazil, HS code 280480 is NCM 2804.80.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.