HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2841.70 – Salts; molybdates
HS code 2841.70 is the 6-digit subheading for salts, molybdates. It is used for sodium molybdate, ammonium dimolybdate, ammonium heptamolybdate, calcium molybdate and molybdenum trioxide (as a precursor).
What HS 2841.70 covers
Molybdates are inorganic salts of molybdic acid, widely traded for their diverse industrial applications, particularly in metallurgy, agriculture, and chemical catalysis. They are crucial as corrosion inhibitors, flame retardants, and as micronutrients in fertilizers. The steel industry is a significant consumer, using molybdates in alloys to enhance strength and corrosion resistance. Major importers include countries with robust manufacturing sectors, especially in steel production and agriculture, such as China, the United States, and Germany. Exporters are typically countries with significant molybdenum mining operations, like Chile, China, and the United States, which process molybdenum ore into various molybdate forms. Key considerations in their trade include purity levels, specific chemical forms (e.g., sodium molybdate, ammonium molybdate), and their role in sustainable agriculture and advanced material science.
- Covers
- Sodium molybdate
- Ammonium dimolybdate
- Ammonium heptamolybdate
- Calcium molybdate
- Molybdenum trioxide (as a precursor)
- Molybdenum catalysts
- Micronutrient fertilizers
- Examples
- Climax Molybdenum (a Freeport-McMoRan company)
- Molymet
- China Molybdenum
- Sigma-Aldrich Molybdates
Codes often confused with 2841.70
Common mistake. This code might be confused with 282570 (Molybdenum oxides and hydroxides) if the product is an oxide rather than a salt, or with 3105 (Mineral or chemical fertilizers) if it's a prepared fertilizer mixture.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 284170, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 284170 in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Denmark, with 21% 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 Netherlands $61M 22% of world exports
- 2 United States $53M 19% of world exports
- 3 India $45M 16% of world exports
World total: $275M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Denmark $71M 21% of world imports
- 2 China $62M 18% of world imports
- 3 United States $24M 7.1% of world imports
World total: $334M 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 2841.70 3
Brazil splits HS 2841.70 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2841.70.10 Ammonium molybdateDe amônio
- 2841.70.20 Sodium molybdateDe sódio
- 2841.70.90 Other molybdatesOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 28.41 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2841.70
What is HS code 284170?
HS code 284170 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Salts; molybdates. Molybdates are inorganic salts of molybdic acid, widely traded for their diverse industrial applications, particularly in metallurgy, agriculture, and chemical catalysis. They are crucial as corrosion inhibitors, flame retardants, and as micronutrients in fertilizers. The steel industry is a significant consumer, using molybdates in alloys to enhance strength and corrosion resistance. Major importers include countries with robust manufacturing sectors, especially in steel production and agriculture, such as China, the United States, and Germany. Exporters are typically countries with significant molybdenum mining operations, like Chile, China, and the United States, which process molybdenum ore into various molybdate forms. Key considerations in their trade include purity levels, specific chemical forms (e.g., sodium molybdate, ammonium molybdate), and their role in sustainable agriculture and advanced material science.
What products fall under HS code 284170?
Sodium molybdate, Ammonium dimolybdate, Ammonium heptamolybdate, Calcium molybdate, Molybdenum trioxide (as a precursor), Molybdenum catalysts, Micronutrient fertilizers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 284170?
This code might be confused with 282570 (Molybdenum oxides and hydroxides) if the product is an oxide rather than a salt, or with 3105 (Mineral or chemical fertilizers) if it's a prepared fertilizer mixture.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 284170?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 284170 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($61M, 22% of world exports), the United States ($53M) and India ($45M). World exports came to about $275M, 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 284170?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 284170 in UN Comtrade data were Denmark ($71M, 21% of world imports), China ($62M) and the United States ($24M). World imports came to about $334M, 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 284170 structured?
HS code 284170 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (41) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (70) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 284170?
Brazil splits HS code 284170 into 3 NCM codes: 2841.70.10 (Ammonium molybdate), 2841.70.20 (Sodium molybdate), 2841.70.90 (Other molybdates). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.