HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2805.40 – Mercury
HS code 2805.40 is the 6-digit subheading for mercury. It is used for liquid mercury, mercury compounds for specific industrial uses, mercury for dental amalgam, mercury for scientific instruments and mercury for fluorescent lamps.
What HS 2805.40 covers
Mercury, a unique heavy metal, plays a complex role in international trade due to its dual nature as both a valuable industrial chemical and a significant environmental hazard. Historically, it was widely used in thermometers, barometers, and electrical switches, but its trade has seen a dramatic shift towards highly regulated and restricted movements. Today, its primary legitimate uses are in specific industrial processes, such as chlor-alkali production (though declining), gold and silver mining (often artisanal and illegal), and in certain scientific instruments and dental amalgams. Major importers are often countries with legacy industrial infrastructure or those where artisanal mining persists, while exporters are typically countries with existing stockpiles or those that have historically mined it. Key things to know include the stringent international regulations, such as the Minamata Convention, which aims to phase out mercury use and trade, making its legitimate movement highly controlled and often requiring specific permits and declarations. Illicit trade, particularly for gold extraction, remains a concern, highlighting the need for robust customs enforcement and environmental monitoring. The global trend is towards reduction and elimination of mercury in products and processes, impacting its trade dynamics significantly.
- Covers
- Liquid mercury
- Mercury compounds for specific industrial uses
- Mercury for dental amalgam
- Mercury for scientific instruments
- Mercury for fluorescent lamps
- Examples
- Elemental mercury
- mercury thermometers (historical)
- dental amalgam capsules
- mercury vapor lamps
- mercury switches (historical)
Codes often confused with 2805.40
Common mistake. This code specifically covers elemental mercury. Mercury compounds would fall under other codes like 2852.10 (inorganic or organic compounds of mercury), which can be confused due to the shared 'mercury' component but differ in chemical form.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 280540, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 280540 in UN Comtrade data was Peru, with about 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 38% 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 Peru* ~$2.2M 27% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 United Arab Emirates* ~$1.7M 21% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Japan $1.5M 19% of world exports
World total: $7.9M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $3.7M 38% of world imports
- 2 South Africa $1.7M 18% of world imports
- 3 Sudan* ~$630K 6.4% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $9.9M 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 code for 2805.40
Brazil does not split HS 2805.40: its NCM code is 2805.40.00.
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 2805.40
What is HS code 280540?
HS code 280540 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Mercury. Mercury, a unique heavy metal, plays a complex role in international trade due to its dual nature as both a valuable industrial chemical and a significant environmental hazard. Historically, it was widely used in thermometers, barometers, and electrical switches, but its trade has seen a dramatic shift towards highly regulated and restricted movements. Today, its primary legitimate uses are in specific industrial processes, such as chlor-alkali production (though declining), gold and silver mining (often artisanal and illegal), and in certain scientific instruments and dental amalgams. Major importers are often countries with legacy industrial infrastructure or those where artisanal mining persists, while exporters are typically countries with existing stockpiles or those that have historically mined it. Key things to know include the stringent international regulations, such as the Minamata Convention, which aims to phase out mercury use and trade, making its legitimate movement highly controlled and often requiring specific permits and declarations. Illicit trade, particularly for gold extraction, remains a concern, highlighting the need for robust customs enforcement and environmental monitoring. The global trend is towards reduction and elimination of mercury in products and processes, impacting its trade dynamics significantly.
What products fall under HS code 280540?
Liquid mercury, mercury compounds for specific industrial uses, mercury for dental amalgam, mercury for scientific instruments, mercury for fluorescent lamps
What are common misclassifications for HS code 280540?
This code specifically covers elemental mercury. Mercury compounds would fall under other codes like 2852.10 (inorganic or organic compounds of mercury), which can be confused due to the shared 'mercury' component but differ in chemical form.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 280540?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 280540 in UN Comtrade data were Peru (about $2.2M, 27% of world exports), the United Arab Emirates (about $1.7M) and Japan ($1.5M). World exports came to about $7.9M, 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 280540?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 280540 in UN Comtrade data were India ($3.7M, 38% of world imports), South Africa ($1.7M) and Sudan (about $630K). World imports came to about $9.9M, 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 280540 structured?
HS code 280540 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 (40) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 280540?
In Brazil, HS code 280540 is NCM 2805.40.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.