HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2804.90 – Selenium
HS code 2804.90 is the 6-digit subheading for selenium. It is used for elemental selenium, selenium powder, selenium metal, selenium dioxide (precursor) and cadmium selenide.
What HS 2804.90 covers
Selenium, a non-metallic element with unique photoconductive and semiconductive properties, holds significant value in international trade for its diverse industrial applications. It is primarily used in glass manufacturing to decolorize glass and to produce ruby-red glass, in pigments, and as a component in photocopier drums and laser printers due to its excellent photoconductivity. Furthermore, selenium is crucial in metallurgy as an alloying agent in stainless steel and copper to improve machinability, and in electronics for rectifiers and solar cells. It also finds use in animal feed supplements and certain pharmaceuticals. Major importers include countries with robust glass, electronics, and metallurgical industries, such as Japan, Germany, and the United States. Exporters are typically countries where selenium is recovered as a byproduct of copper refining, including China, Japan, and Canada. The trade is influenced by demand from high-tech sectors and its recovery efficiency from other metal processing.
- Covers
- Elemental selenium
- Selenium powder
- Selenium metal
- Selenium dioxide (precursor)
- Cadmium selenide
- Selenium rectifiers (elemental component)
- Examples
- Norilsk Nickel (selenium byproduct)
- Umicore (selenium refining)
- Alfa Aesar Selenium
- American Elements Selenium
- Materion Selenium
Codes often confused with 2804.90
Common mistake. This code covers elemental selenium, not its compounds like selenium dioxide (2811.90) or selenides (2842.90), which are classified under different headings based on their chemical composition.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 280490, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 280490 in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 18% 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 Indonesia $25M 19% of world exports
- 2 China $17M 13% of world exports
- 3 Japan $16M 12% of world exports
World total: $132M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $19M 18% of world imports
- 2 India $16M 15% of world imports
- 3 Hong Kong $13M 13% of world imports
World total: $102M 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 2804.90
Brazil does not split HS 2804.90: its NCM code is 2804.90.00.
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 2804.90
What is HS code 280490?
HS code 280490 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Selenium. Selenium, a non-metallic element with unique photoconductive and semiconductive properties, holds significant value in international trade for its diverse industrial applications. It is primarily used in glass manufacturing to decolorize glass and to produce ruby-red glass, in pigments, and as a component in photocopier drums and laser printers due to its excellent photoconductivity. Furthermore, selenium is crucial in metallurgy as an alloying agent in stainless steel and copper to improve machinability, and in electronics for rectifiers and solar cells. It also finds use in animal feed supplements and certain pharmaceuticals. Major importers include countries with robust glass, electronics, and metallurgical industries, such as Japan, Germany, and the United States. Exporters are typically countries where selenium is recovered as a byproduct of copper refining, including China, Japan, and Canada. The trade is influenced by demand from high-tech sectors and its recovery efficiency from other metal processing.
What products fall under HS code 280490?
Elemental selenium, Selenium powder, Selenium metal, Selenium dioxide (precursor), Cadmium selenide, Selenium rectifiers (elemental component)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 280490?
This code covers elemental selenium, not its compounds like selenium dioxide (2811.90) or selenides (2842.90), which are classified under different headings based on their chemical composition.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 280490?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 280490 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($25M, 19% of world exports), China ($17M) and Japan ($16M). World exports came to about $132M, 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 280490?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 280490 in UN Comtrade data were China ($19M, 18% of world imports), India ($16M) and Hong Kong ($13M). World imports came to about $102M, 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 280490 structured?
HS code 280490 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 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 280490?
In Brazil, HS code 280490 is NCM 2804.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.