HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 28.44 – Radioactive chemical elements and radioactive isotopes (including the fissile or fertile chemical elements and isotopes); and their compounds; mixtures and residues containing these products
What HS 28.44 covers
Heading 2844 is one of the most critical and highly regulated classifications within the Harmonized System, covering radioactive chemical elements and radioactive isotopes, including fissile or fertile chemical elements and isotopes, their compounds, and any mixtures or residues containing these products. Situated in Section VI, this heading is distinct from other chemical classifications due to the inherent radioactivity and strategic importance of these materials. The scope is extremely broad within its specific domain, encompassing naturally occurring radioactive elements like uranium and thorium, as well as artificially produced radioactive isotopes such as Cobalt-60, Iodine-131, Carbon-14, and Technetium-99m. It includes both pure elements/isotopes and their chemical compounds (e.g., uranium hexafluoride), and even waste or residues containing detectable levels of these radioactive substances. Key sub-categories involve nuclear fuel materials, medical radioisotopes for diagnostics and therapy, industrial radioisotopes for gauging and sterilization, and research isotopes. The classification under 2844 is paramount for international trade compliance, as these materials are subject to stringent national and international regulations, including export controls, non-proliferation treaties, safety standards, and specialized transport requirements. Misclassification can lead to severe legal penalties, international incidents, and security risks. Historically, the trade of these materials has been tightly controlled due to their dual-use potential (civilian energy vs. weapons), making accurate classification and documentation indispensable. This heading forms a cornerstone of Chapter 28's coverage of 'Radioactive Elements or of Isotopes'.
- Covers
- Uranium enriched in U-235
- Plutonium
- Thorium
- Uranium hexafluoride
- Uranium dioxide
- Depleted uranium
- Cobalt-60
- Iodine-131
- Technetium-99m generators
- Strontium-90
- Carbon-14 (radioactive isotope)
- Tritium (radioactive hydrogen)
- Americium-241
- Cesium-137
- Iridium-192
- Molybdenum-99
- Radium-226
- Radon-222
- Polonium-210
- Nuclear waste (containing radioactive elements)
- Spent nuclear fuel
- Uranium ore concentrates (yellowcake)
- Deuterium-tritium mixtures (radioactive)
- Radioactive sources for industrial radiography
- Examples
A specialized logistics firm transports a consignment of medical-grade Molybdenum-99, a precursor for Technetium-99m generators, from a production facility in Belgium to hospitals across the United States, typically via highly secured air cargo due to its short half-life and critical medical use. Another scenario involves the export of uranium hexafluoride from a uranium enrichment plant in France to a nuclear power facility in South Korea, transported under strict international safeguards via specialized sea containers. Furthermore, a research institute in Canada might export a small quantity of Carbon-14 labeled compounds to a university in Australia for scientific studies, requiring careful documentation and specific hazardous materials transport protocols.
Subheadings under 28.44 8
Codes often confused with 28.44
Common mistake. The most critical misclassification risk for 2844 involves failing to identify a product as radioactive, leading to its classification under a non-radioactive chemical heading (e.g., classifying a non-radioactive isotope under 2845 or a common chemical compound under a general 28XX heading). Another common mistake is classifying radioactive waste as general industrial waste (e.g., in Chapter 38), overlooking the presence of radioactive elements. Conversely, some might incorrectly classify non-radioactive isotopes or naturally occurring, non-enriched uranium as radioactive, leading to unnecessary regulatory burdens. Distinguishing between naturally occurring uranium (which, if not enriched, might fall under 2844 only if specifically intended for its radioactivity or if it's a compound) and enriched uranium is also crucial. The key is understanding the definition of radioactivity and the specific isotopes involved.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 2844, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 2844 in UN Comtrade data was Kazakhstan, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 28% 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 Kazakhstan $4.2B 20% of world exports
- 2 Russia* ~$3.4B 17% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Canada $3.2B 15% of world exports
World total: $20.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $7.0B 28% of world imports
- 2 China $5.0B 20% of world imports
- 3 France $2.2B 9.1% of world imports
World total: $24.6B 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.
Questions about HS 28.44
What is HS code 2844?
HS code 2844 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Radioactive chemical elements and radioactive isotopes (including the fissile or fertile chemical elements and isotopes); and their compounds; mixtures and residues containing these products. Heading 2844 is one of the most critical and highly regulated classifications within the Harmonized System, covering radioactive chemical elements and radioactive isotopes, including fissile or fertile chemical elements and isotopes, their compounds, and any mixtures or residues containing these products. Situated in Section VI, this heading is distinct from other chemical classifications due to the inherent radioactivity and strategic importance of these materials. The scope is extremely broad within its specific domain, encompassing naturally occurring radioactive elements like uranium and thorium, as well as artificially produced radioactive isotopes such as Cobalt-60, Iodine-131, Carbon-14, and Technetium-99m. It includes both pure elements/isotopes and their chemical compounds (e.g., uranium hexafluoride), and even waste or residues containing detectable levels of these radioactive substances. Key sub-categories involve nuclear fuel materials, medical radioisotopes for diagnostics and therapy, industrial radioisotopes for gauging and sterilization, and research isotopes. The classification under 2844 is paramount for international trade compliance, as these materials are subject to stringent national and international regulations, including export controls, non-proliferation treaties, safety standards, and specialized transport requirements. Misclassification can lead to severe legal penalties, international incidents, and security risks. Historically, the trade of these materials has been tightly controlled due to their dual-use potential (civilian energy vs. weapons), making accurate classification and documentation indispensable. This heading forms a cornerstone of Chapter 28's coverage of 'Radioactive Elements or of Isotopes'.
What products fall under HS code 2844?
Uranium enriched in U-235, Plutonium, Thorium, Uranium hexafluoride, Uranium dioxide, Depleted uranium, Cobalt-60, Iodine-131, Technetium-99m generators, Strontium-90, Carbon-14 (radioactive isotope), Tritium (radioactive hydrogen), Americium-241, Cesium-137, Iridium-192, Molybdenum-99, Radium-226, Radon-222, Polonium-210, Nuclear waste (containing radioactive elements), Spent nuclear fuel, Uranium ore concentrates (yellowcake), Deuterium-tritium mixtures (radioactive), Radioactive sources for industrial radiography
What are common misclassifications for HS code 2844?
The most critical misclassification risk for 2844 involves failing to identify a product as radioactive, leading to its classification under a non-radioactive chemical heading (e.g., classifying a non-radioactive isotope under 2845 or a common chemical compound under a general 28XX heading). Another common mistake is classifying radioactive waste as general industrial waste (e.g., in Chapter 38), overlooking the presence of radioactive elements. Conversely, some might incorrectly classify non-radioactive isotopes or naturally occurring, non-enriched uranium as radioactive, leading to unnecessary regulatory burdens. Distinguishing between naturally occurring uranium (which, if not enriched, might fall under 2844 only if specifically intended for its radioactivity or if it's a compound) and enriched uranium is also crucial. The key is understanding the definition of radioactivity and the specific isotopes involved.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 2844?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2844 in UN Comtrade data were Kazakhstan ($4.2B, 20% of world exports), Russia (about $3.4B) and Canada ($3.2B). World exports came to about $20.7B, 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 2844?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2844 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($7.0B, 28% of world imports), China ($5.0B) and France ($2.2B). World imports came to about $24.6B, 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 2844 structured?
HS code 2844 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 28 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (44) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.