HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2841.80 – Salts; tungstates (wolframates)
HS code 2841.80 is the 6-digit subheading for salts, tungstates (wolframates). It is used for sodium tungstate, ammonium paratungstate (APT), calcium tungstate, tungsten trioxide (as a precursor) and tungsten catalysts.
What HS 2841.80 covers
Tungstates, also known as wolframates, are inorganic salts of tungstic acid, highly valued and traded for their unique properties in various high-tech and industrial applications. They are primarily used in the production of tungsten metal, catalysts, pigments, and in specialized ceramics and electronics. The demand for tungstates is driven by industries requiring materials with high melting points, hardness, and electrical conductivity, such as aerospace, automotive, and lighting. Major importers include countries with advanced manufacturing capabilities in these sectors, like Japan, Germany, and the United States. Exporters are typically countries rich in tungsten ore, such as China, Russia, and Vietnam, which process the raw material into various tungstate forms. Key aspects of their trade involve ensuring high purity, specific crystal structures, and compliance with regulations related to conflict minerals, as tungsten is sometimes sourced from conflict-affected areas.
- Covers
- Sodium tungstate
- Ammonium paratungstate (APT)
- Calcium tungstate
- Tungsten trioxide (as a precursor)
- Tungsten catalysts
- Fluorescent lamp phosphors
- X-ray screen materials
- Examples
- Xiamen Tungsten
- Global Tungsten & Powders (GTP)
- H.C. Starck Tungsten
- Sigma-Aldrich Tungstates
Codes often confused with 2841.80
Common mistake. This code could be confused with 282590 (Other inorganic bases, metal oxides, hydroxides and peroxides) if the product is a tungsten oxide rather than a salt, or with 8101 (Tungsten and articles thereof) if it's already processed into metal or articles.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 284180, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 284180 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 48% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 36% of world imports. Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 5.7% of its exports here ($2.5M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $116M 48% of world exports
- 2 South Korea $35M 14% of world exports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$34M 14% of world exports · partner records ↗
Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 5.7% of its exports here ($2.5M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
World total: $241M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $99M 36% of world imports
- 2 China $46M 17% of world imports
- 3 Japan $43M 16% of world imports
World total: $273M 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 2841.80 3
Brazil splits HS 2841.80 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2841.80.10 Ammonium tungstate (wolframate)De amônio
- 2841.80.20 Lead tungstate (wolframate)De chumbo
- 2841.80.90 Other tungstates (wolframates)Outros
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 2841.80
What is HS code 284180?
HS code 284180 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Salts; tungstates (wolframates). Tungstates, also known as wolframates, are inorganic salts of tungstic acid, highly valued and traded for their unique properties in various high-tech and industrial applications. They are primarily used in the production of tungsten metal, catalysts, pigments, and in specialized ceramics and electronics. The demand for tungstates is driven by industries requiring materials with high melting points, hardness, and electrical conductivity, such as aerospace, automotive, and lighting. Major importers include countries with advanced manufacturing capabilities in these sectors, like Japan, Germany, and the United States. Exporters are typically countries rich in tungsten ore, such as China, Russia, and Vietnam, which process the raw material into various tungstate forms. Key aspects of their trade involve ensuring high purity, specific crystal structures, and compliance with regulations related to conflict minerals, as tungsten is sometimes sourced from conflict-affected areas.
What products fall under HS code 284180?
Sodium tungstate, Ammonium paratungstate (APT), Calcium tungstate, Tungsten trioxide (as a precursor), Tungsten catalysts, Fluorescent lamp phosphors, X-ray screen materials
What are common misclassifications for HS code 284180?
This code could be confused with 282590 (Other inorganic bases, metal oxides, hydroxides and peroxides) if the product is a tungsten oxide rather than a salt, or with 8101 (Tungsten and articles thereof) if it's already processed into metal or articles.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 284180?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 284180 in UN Comtrade data were China ($116M, 48% of world exports), South Korea ($35M) and Taiwan (about $34M). World exports came to about $241M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 5.7% of its exports here ($2.5M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 284180?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 284180 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($99M, 36% of world imports), China ($46M) and Japan ($43M). World imports came to about $273M, 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 284180 structured?
HS code 284180 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 (80) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 284180?
Brazil splits HS code 284180 into 3 NCM codes: 2841.80.10 (Ammonium tungstate (wolframate)), 2841.80.20 (Lead tungstate (wolframate)), 2841.80.90 (Other tungstates (wolframates)). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.