HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2805.19 – Alkali or alkali-earth metals; other than sodium and calcium
HS code 2805.19 is the 6-digit subheading for alkali or alkali-earth metals, other than sodium and calcium. It is used for lithium metal, potassium metal, magnesium metal, beryllium metal and strontium metal.
What HS 2805.19 covers
This HS code covers a range of alkali and alkali-earth metals, specifically excluding sodium and calcium, which have their own dedicated codes. This category includes metals like lithium, potassium, rubidium, cesium (alkali metals), and beryllium, magnesium, strontium, barium (alkali-earth metals). These metals are highly reactive and are traded for specialized industrial applications, often in relatively smaller quantities compared to common industrial metals. Importers are typically high-tech industries, battery manufacturers, aerospace companies, and specialized chemical producers. Exporters are countries with specific mineral deposits and advanced metallurgical processing capabilities. Key applications include lightweight alloys, batteries (especially lithium-ion), nuclear reactors, pyrotechnics, and specialized chemical reagents. The trade is influenced by technological advancements, demand for new materials, and geopolitical factors affecting critical mineral supply chains.
- Covers
- Lithium metal
- Potassium metal
- Magnesium metal
- Beryllium metal
- Strontium metal
- Barium metal
- Cesium metal
- Rubidium metal
- Examples
- Albemarle (lithium)
- Livent (lithium)
- Rusal (magnesium)
- Materion (beryllium)
Codes often confused with 2805.19
Common mistake. This code is crucial for distinguishing these specific alkali/alkali-earth metals from sodium (280511) and calcium (280512), and also from rare-earth metals (280530) or other non-ferrous metals (Chapter 75-81).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 280519, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 280519 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 38% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 62% of world imports. The United Kingdom reports $2.7B of its chapter 28 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $65M 38% of world exports
- 2 Germany $47M 27% of world exports
- 3 United States $36M 21% of world exports
World total: $173M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $296M 62% of world imports
- 2 United States $21M 4.5% of world imports
- 3 India $20M 4.1% of world imports
The United Kingdom reports $2.7B of its chapter 28 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $474M 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 codes for 2805.19 3
Brazil splits HS 2805.19 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2805.19.10 Strontium metalEstrôncio
- 2805.19.20 Barium metalBário
- 2805.19.90 Other alkali or alkaline-earth metalsOutros
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 2805.19
What is HS code 280519?
HS code 280519 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Alkali or alkali-earth metals; other than sodium and calcium. This HS code covers a range of alkali and alkali-earth metals, specifically excluding sodium and calcium, which have their own dedicated codes. This category includes metals like lithium, potassium, rubidium, cesium (alkali metals), and beryllium, magnesium, strontium, barium (alkali-earth metals). These metals are highly reactive and are traded for specialized industrial applications, often in relatively smaller quantities compared to common industrial metals. Importers are typically high-tech industries, battery manufacturers, aerospace companies, and specialized chemical producers. Exporters are countries with specific mineral deposits and advanced metallurgical processing capabilities. Key applications include lightweight alloys, batteries (especially lithium-ion), nuclear reactors, pyrotechnics, and specialized chemical reagents. The trade is influenced by technological advancements, demand for new materials, and geopolitical factors affecting critical mineral supply chains.
What products fall under HS code 280519?
Lithium metal, potassium metal, magnesium metal, beryllium metal, strontium metal, barium metal, cesium metal, rubidium metal
What are common misclassifications for HS code 280519?
This code is crucial for distinguishing these specific alkali/alkali-earth metals from sodium (280511) and calcium (280512), and also from rare-earth metals (280530) or other non-ferrous metals (Chapter 75-81).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 280519?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 280519 in UN Comtrade data were China ($65M, 38% of world exports), Germany ($47M) and the United States ($36M). World exports came to about $173M, 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 280519?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 280519 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($296M, 62% of world imports), the United States ($21M) and India ($20M). World imports came to about $474M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). The United Kingdom reports $2.7B of its chapter 28 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
How is HS code 280519 structured?
HS code 280519 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 (19) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 280519?
Brazil splits HS code 280519 into 3 NCM codes: 2805.19.10 (Strontium metal), 2805.19.20 (Barium metal), 2805.19.90 (Other alkali or alkaline-earth metals). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.