HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2805.30 – Earth-metals, rare; scandium and yttrium, whether or not intermixed or interalloyed
HS code 2805.30 is the 6-digit subheading for earth-metals, rare, scandium and yttrium, whether or not intermixed or interalloyed. It is used for scandium metal, yttrium metal, neodymium-iron-boron alloy, dysprosium metal and praseodymium metal.
What HS 2805.30 covers
This HS code specifically covers rare-earth metals, including scandium and yttrium, whether they are pure, intermixed, or interalloyed. Rare-earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 chemically similar metallic elements critical for numerous high-tech applications, ranging from consumer electronics and electric vehicles to defense systems and renewable energy technologies. International trade in these metals is strategically important and often subject to geopolitical considerations due to their concentrated supply chains. Importers are typically advanced manufacturing nations that rely on REEs for their high-tech industries. Exporters are countries with significant rare-earth mineral deposits and processing capabilities. Key aspects include the complexity of extraction and refining, environmental concerns associated with mining, and efforts to diversify supply sources. The demand for these metals is continuously growing with technological advancements.
- Covers
- Scandium metal
- Yttrium metal
- Neodymium-iron-boron alloy
- Dysprosium metal
- Praseodymium metal
- Cerium metal
- Lanthanum metal
- Mixed rare-earth alloys
- Examples
- Lynas Rare Earths (neodymium, praseodymium)
- MP Materials (neodymium, praseodymium)
- China Northern Rare Earth Group
- Solvay (rare earth compounds)
Codes often confused with 2805.30
Common mistake. This code is distinct from other non-ferrous metals (Chapters 75-81) and specifically covers the rare-earth group, including scandium and yttrium, which are often confused with other specialty metals. It's also different from alkali/alkali-earth metals (280519).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 280530, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 280530 in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 36% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 48% 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 Vietnam* ~$156M 36% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 China $141M 32% of world exports
- 3 Thailand $80M 18% of world exports
World total: $437M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $252M 48% of world imports
- 2 Malaysia $100M 19% of world imports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$68M 13% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $528M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 2805.30 2
Brazil splits HS 2805.30 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2805.30.10 Mischmetal (cerium alloy with 5% or less iron)Liga de cério, com um teor de ferro inferior ou igual a 5 %, em peso (Mischmetal)
- 2805.30.90 Other rare-earth metals, scandium and yttriumOutros
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 2805.30
What is HS code 280530?
HS code 280530 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Earth-metals, rare; scandium and yttrium, whether or not intermixed or interalloyed. This HS code specifically covers rare-earth metals, including scandium and yttrium, whether they are pure, intermixed, or interalloyed. Rare-earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 chemically similar metallic elements critical for numerous high-tech applications, ranging from consumer electronics and electric vehicles to defense systems and renewable energy technologies. International trade in these metals is strategically important and often subject to geopolitical considerations due to their concentrated supply chains. Importers are typically advanced manufacturing nations that rely on REEs for their high-tech industries. Exporters are countries with significant rare-earth mineral deposits and processing capabilities. Key aspects include the complexity of extraction and refining, environmental concerns associated with mining, and efforts to diversify supply sources. The demand for these metals is continuously growing with technological advancements.
What products fall under HS code 280530?
Scandium metal, yttrium metal, neodymium-iron-boron alloy, dysprosium metal, praseodymium metal, cerium metal, lanthanum metal, mixed rare-earth alloys
What are common misclassifications for HS code 280530?
This code is distinct from other non-ferrous metals (Chapters 75-81) and specifically covers the rare-earth group, including scandium and yttrium, which are often confused with other specialty metals. It's also different from alkali/alkali-earth metals (280519).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 280530?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 280530 in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $156M, 36% of world exports), China ($141M) and Thailand ($80M). World exports came to about $437M, 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 280530?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 280530 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($252M, 48% of world imports), Malaysia ($100M) and Vietnam (about $68M). World imports came to about $528M, 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 280530 structured?
HS code 280530 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 (30) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 280530?
Brazil splits HS code 280530 into 2 NCM codes: 2805.30.10 (Mischmetal (cerium alloy with 5% or less iron)), 2805.30.90 (Other rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.