HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2825.40 – Nickel oxides and hydroxides
HS code 2825.40 is the 6-digit subheading for nickel oxides and hydroxides. It is used for nickel(II) oxide, nickel(III) oxide, nickel hydroxide, nickel oxide powder and nickel oxide nanoparticles.
What HS 2825.40 covers
Nickel oxides and hydroxides are crucial inorganic compounds with diverse industrial applications, particularly in the rapidly growing battery manufacturing sector for electric vehicles and consumer electronics, as well as in catalysts, pigments, and ceramics. Major importers are typically countries with robust electronics and automotive industries, such as China, South Korea, Japan, and Germany, which process these raw materials into high-value finished goods. Exporters often include nations with significant nickel mining and processing capabilities, like Indonesia, the Philippines, Russia, and Canada. Key things to know about their trade include their strategic importance in the global shift towards electric vehicles, the critical role of purity levels for specific high-tech applications, and the environmental considerations associated with their production and disposal. Trade volumes are heavily influenced by global nickel commodity prices and demand from the energy storage sector, making this a dynamic and strategically vital commodity.
- Covers
- Nickel(II) oxide
- Nickel(III) oxide
- Nickel hydroxide
- Nickel oxide powder
- Nickel oxide nanoparticles
- Green nickel oxide
- Black nickel oxide
- Examples
- BASF (battery materials)
- Umicore (catalysts)
- Sumitomo Metal Mining (nickel products)
- Vale (nickel compounds)
Codes often confused with 2825.40
Common mistake. These compounds can be confused with unwrought nickel (7502) or other nickel compounds (284290) if not clearly identified as oxides or hydroxides, leading to incorrect duty rates. Careful chemical identification is essential.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 282540, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 282540 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 79% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Singapore, with 29% 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 $431M 79% of world exports
- 2 Japan $24M 4.4% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $22M 4.0% of world exports
World total: $544M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Singapore $72M 29% of world imports
- 2 United States $56M 23% of world imports
- 3 China $49M 20% of world imports
World total: $247M 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 2825.40 2
Brazil splits HS 2825.40 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 2825.40
What is HS code 282540?
HS code 282540 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Nickel oxides and hydroxides. Nickel oxides and hydroxides are crucial inorganic compounds with diverse industrial applications, particularly in the rapidly growing battery manufacturing sector for electric vehicles and consumer electronics, as well as in catalysts, pigments, and ceramics. Major importers are typically countries with robust electronics and automotive industries, such as China, South Korea, Japan, and Germany, which process these raw materials into high-value finished goods. Exporters often include nations with significant nickel mining and processing capabilities, like Indonesia, the Philippines, Russia, and Canada. Key things to know about their trade include their strategic importance in the global shift towards electric vehicles, the critical role of purity levels for specific high-tech applications, and the environmental considerations associated with their production and disposal. Trade volumes are heavily influenced by global nickel commodity prices and demand from the energy storage sector, making this a dynamic and strategically vital commodity.
What products fall under HS code 282540?
Nickel(II) oxide, Nickel(III) oxide, Nickel hydroxide, Nickel oxide powder, Nickel oxide nanoparticles, Green nickel oxide, Black nickel oxide
What are common misclassifications for HS code 282540?
These compounds can be confused with unwrought nickel (7502) or other nickel compounds (284290) if not clearly identified as oxides or hydroxides, leading to incorrect duty rates. Careful chemical identification is essential.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 282540?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 282540 in UN Comtrade data were China ($431M, 79% of world exports), Japan ($24M) and the Netherlands ($22M). World exports came to about $544M, 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 282540?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 282540 in UN Comtrade data were Singapore ($72M, 29% of world imports), the United States ($56M) and China ($49M). World imports came to about $247M, 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 282540 structured?
HS code 282540 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 (40) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 282540?
Brazil splits HS code 282540 into 2 NCM codes: 2825.40.10 (Nickelous oxide), 2825.40.90 (Other nickel oxides and hydroxides). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.