HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2805.11 – Alkali or alkali-earth metals; sodium
HS code 2805.11 is the 6-digit subheading for alkali or alkali-earth metals, sodium. It is used for elemental sodium, sodium metal ingots, sodium metal sticks, liquid sodium and sodium for chemical synthesis.
What HS 2805.11 covers
This HS code specifically covers elemental sodium, a highly reactive alkali metal. Despite its reactivity, sodium is a crucial commodity in various industrial processes. It is primarily used in the production of sodium compounds, such as sodium cyanide for gold extraction, and sodium peroxide. It also serves as a reducing agent in organic synthesis and in the manufacture of certain dyes and pharmaceuticals. Liquid sodium is employed as a coolant in some nuclear reactors due to its excellent thermal conductivity. Major importers are countries with significant chemical industries, mining operations (especially gold), and specialized manufacturing sectors, including the United States, Germany, and India. Exporters are typically countries with advanced chemical processing capabilities and access to raw materials like sodium chloride, such as China, the United States, and Germany. Trade in elemental sodium requires specialized handling and transport due to its extreme reactivity with water and air, necessitating inert atmosphere packaging.
- Covers
- Elemental sodium
- Sodium metal ingots
- Sodium metal sticks
- Liquid sodium
- Sodium for chemical synthesis
- Sodium for gold extraction
- Examples
- Sigma-Aldrich Sodium
- Alfa Aesar Sodium
- American Elements Sodium
- BASF (uses sodium in production)
- Dow Chemical (uses sodium in production)
Codes often confused with 2805.11
Common mistake. This code is for elemental sodium only. It is frequently confused with sodium compounds like sodium chloride (2501.00), sodium hydroxide (2815.1x), or sodium carbonate (2836.20), which are distinct chemical substances.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 280511, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 280511 in UN Comtrade data was France, with 64% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 29% 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 France $41M 64% of world exports
- 2 China $19M 30% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $1.6M 2.5% of world exports
World total: $64M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $19M 29% of world imports
- 2 India $14M 22% of world imports
- 3 Japan $5.4M 8.4% of world imports
World total: $65M 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 2805.11
Brazil does not split HS 2805.11: its NCM code is 2805.11.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 28.05 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2805.11
What is HS code 280511?
HS code 280511 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Alkali or alkali-earth metals; sodium. This HS code specifically covers elemental sodium, a highly reactive alkali metal. Despite its reactivity, sodium is a crucial commodity in various industrial processes. It is primarily used in the production of sodium compounds, such as sodium cyanide for gold extraction, and sodium peroxide. It also serves as a reducing agent in organic synthesis and in the manufacture of certain dyes and pharmaceuticals. Liquid sodium is employed as a coolant in some nuclear reactors due to its excellent thermal conductivity. Major importers are countries with significant chemical industries, mining operations (especially gold), and specialized manufacturing sectors, including the United States, Germany, and India. Exporters are typically countries with advanced chemical processing capabilities and access to raw materials like sodium chloride, such as China, the United States, and Germany. Trade in elemental sodium requires specialized handling and transport due to its extreme reactivity with water and air, necessitating inert atmosphere packaging.
What products fall under HS code 280511?
Elemental sodium, Sodium metal ingots, Sodium metal sticks, Liquid sodium, Sodium for chemical synthesis, Sodium for gold extraction
What are common misclassifications for HS code 280511?
This code is for elemental sodium only. It is frequently confused with sodium compounds like sodium chloride (2501.00), sodium hydroxide (2815.1x), or sodium carbonate (2836.20), which are distinct chemical substances.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 280511?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 280511 in UN Comtrade data were France ($41M, 64% of world exports), China ($19M) and the Netherlands ($1.6M). World exports came to about $64M, 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 280511?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 280511 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($19M, 29% of world imports), India ($14M) and Japan ($5.4M). World imports came to about $65M, 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 280511 structured?
HS code 280511 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (11) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 280511?
In Brazil, HS code 280511 is NCM 2805.11.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.