HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2825.20 – Lithium oxide and hydroxide
HS code 2825.20 is the 6-digit subheading for lithium oxide and hydroxide. It is used for lithium hydroxide monohydrate, anhydrous lithium hydroxide, lithium oxide, battery-grade lithium hydroxide and technical-grade lithium hydroxide.
What HS 2825.20 covers
This HS code covers lithium oxide and lithium hydroxide, two critical inorganic compounds that are increasingly vital in the global economy, primarily driven by the booming demand for lithium-ion batteries. In international trade, these materials are exchanged between lithium chemical producers, battery manufacturers, and specialized glass, ceramic, and lubricant industries. Importers are predominantly countries with large-scale battery production facilities for electric vehicles and consumer electronics, as well as those with advanced manufacturing sectors requiring high-performance lubricants or specialized glass. Exporters are typically nations with significant lithium reserves and processing capabilities (e.g., Australia, Chile) or those with advanced chemical refining industries. Key trade considerations include purity levels (especially battery-grade), particle size, and the specific form (e.g., anhydrous vs. monohydrate for hydroxide), which are crucial for battery performance. The rapid growth of the EV market has made these compounds strategic commodities, leading to significant price volatility and intense global competition for supply.
- Covers
- Lithium hydroxide monohydrate
- Anhydrous lithium hydroxide
- Lithium oxide
- Battery-grade lithium hydroxide
- Technical-grade lithium hydroxide
- Examples
- SQM lithium hydroxide
- Albemarle lithium hydroxide
- Ganfeng Lithium hydroxide
Codes often confused with 2825.20
Common mistake. This code is specific to lithium oxide and hydroxide and should not be confused with lithium carbonates (283691) or other lithium compounds, which are classified separately. It's also distinct from raw lithium ores (Chapter 25 or 26).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 282520, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 282520 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 40% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 54% 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 $614M 40% of world exports
- 2 Chile $263M 17% of world exports
- 3 United States $212M 14% of world exports
World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 South Korea $820M 54% of world imports
- 2 Japan $332M 22% of world imports
- 3 China $202M 13% of world imports
World total: $1.5B 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 2825.20 2
Brazil splits HS 2825.20 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 28.25 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2825.20
What is HS code 282520?
HS code 282520 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Lithium oxide and hydroxide. This HS code covers lithium oxide and lithium hydroxide, two critical inorganic compounds that are increasingly vital in the global economy, primarily driven by the booming demand for lithium-ion batteries. In international trade, these materials are exchanged between lithium chemical producers, battery manufacturers, and specialized glass, ceramic, and lubricant industries. Importers are predominantly countries with large-scale battery production facilities for electric vehicles and consumer electronics, as well as those with advanced manufacturing sectors requiring high-performance lubricants or specialized glass. Exporters are typically nations with significant lithium reserves and processing capabilities (e.g., Australia, Chile) or those with advanced chemical refining industries. Key trade considerations include purity levels (especially battery-grade), particle size, and the specific form (e.g., anhydrous vs. monohydrate for hydroxide), which are crucial for battery performance. The rapid growth of the EV market has made these compounds strategic commodities, leading to significant price volatility and intense global competition for supply.
What products fall under HS code 282520?
Lithium hydroxide monohydrate, Anhydrous lithium hydroxide, Lithium oxide, Battery-grade lithium hydroxide, Technical-grade lithium hydroxide
What are common misclassifications for HS code 282520?
This code is specific to lithium oxide and hydroxide and should not be confused with lithium carbonates (283691) or other lithium compounds, which are classified separately. It's also distinct from raw lithium ores (Chapter 25 or 26).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 282520?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 282520 in UN Comtrade data were China ($614M, 40% of world exports), Chile ($263M) and the United States ($212M). World exports came to about $1.5B, 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 282520?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 282520 in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($820M, 54% of world imports), Japan ($332M) and China ($202M). World imports came to about $1.5B, 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 282520 structured?
HS code 282520 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (25) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 282520?
Brazil splits HS code 282520 into 2 NCM codes: 2825.20.10 (Lithium oxide), 2825.20.20 (Lithium hydroxide). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.