HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2805.12 – Alkali or alkali-earth metals; calcium
HS code 2805.12 is the 6-digit subheading for alkali or alkali-earth metals, calcium. It is used for elemental calcium, calcium metal lumps, calcium granules, calcium for metallurgy and calcium for vacuum technology.
What HS 2805.12 covers
This HS code pertains to elemental calcium, an alkaline earth metal. While calcium is abundant in compounds, its elemental form is a significant, albeit specialized, commodity in international trade. Elemental calcium is primarily used as a reducing agent in metallurgy, particularly in the production of other metals like uranium, thorium, and zirconium, where it helps remove impurities. It also serves as an alloying agent in lead and aluminum to improve their mechanical properties and as a deoxidizer and desulfurizer in steel manufacturing. Additionally, it finds applications in vacuum tubes and as a getter material. Major importers include countries with advanced metallurgical industries, nuclear energy programs, and specialized electronics manufacturing, such as Japan, Germany, and the United States. Exporters are typically countries with the technical expertise and energy resources for its production, like China, Russia, and the United States. Trade in elemental calcium is driven by high-tech manufacturing and specialized industrial processes.
- Covers
- Elemental calcium
- Calcium metal lumps
- Calcium granules
- Calcium for metallurgy
- Calcium for vacuum technology
- Calcium alloys (as a component)
- Examples
- Alfa Aesar Calcium
- American Elements Calcium
- Materion Calcium
- China Minmetals (calcium metal)
- Rusal (uses calcium in aluminum alloys)
Codes often confused with 2805.12
Common mistake. This code is strictly for elemental calcium. It is often confused with calcium compounds such as calcium carbonate (2836.50), calcium chloride (2827.20), or calcium oxide (2825.90), which are widely traded but chemically distinct.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 280512, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 280512 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 73% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, 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 China $72M 73% of world exports
- 2 United States $8.7M 8.8% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $6.9M 7.0% of world exports
World total: $98M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $27M 18% of world imports
- 2 United States $17M 11% of world imports
- 3 Poland $13M 8.4% of world imports
World total: $150M 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 2805.12
Brazil does not split HS 2805.12: its NCM code is 2805.12.00.
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 2805.12
What is HS code 280512?
HS code 280512 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Alkali or alkali-earth metals; calcium. This HS code pertains to elemental calcium, an alkaline earth metal. While calcium is abundant in compounds, its elemental form is a significant, albeit specialized, commodity in international trade. Elemental calcium is primarily used as a reducing agent in metallurgy, particularly in the production of other metals like uranium, thorium, and zirconium, where it helps remove impurities. It also serves as an alloying agent in lead and aluminum to improve their mechanical properties and as a deoxidizer and desulfurizer in steel manufacturing. Additionally, it finds applications in vacuum tubes and as a getter material. Major importers include countries with advanced metallurgical industries, nuclear energy programs, and specialized electronics manufacturing, such as Japan, Germany, and the United States. Exporters are typically countries with the technical expertise and energy resources for its production, like China, Russia, and the United States. Trade in elemental calcium is driven by high-tech manufacturing and specialized industrial processes.
What products fall under HS code 280512?
Elemental calcium, Calcium metal lumps, Calcium granules, Calcium for metallurgy, Calcium for vacuum technology, Calcium alloys (as a component)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 280512?
This code is strictly for elemental calcium. It is often confused with calcium compounds such as calcium carbonate (2836.50), calcium chloride (2827.20), or calcium oxide (2825.90), which are widely traded but chemically distinct.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 280512?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 280512 in UN Comtrade data were China ($72M, 73% of world exports), the United States ($8.7M) and the Netherlands ($6.9M). World exports came to about $98M, 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 280512?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 280512 in UN Comtrade data were India ($27M, 18% of world imports), the United States ($17M) and Poland ($13M). World imports came to about $150M, 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 280512 structured?
HS code 280512 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 (12) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 280512?
In Brazil, HS code 280512 is NCM 2805.12.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.