HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 28.46 – Compounds, inorganic or organic, of rare-earth metals; of yttrium or of scandium or of mixtures of these metals
What HS 28.46 covers
Heading 2846 is dedicated to compounds, inorganic or organic, of rare-earth metals, of yttrium, or of scandium, or of mixtures of these metals. This classification is positioned within Section VI, Chapter 28, and is critical for distinguishing these technologically vital compounds from the pure rare-earth metals themselves (which fall under Chapter 28 for certain forms or Chapter 71 for unwrought forms) and from articles made thereof. The scope encompasses a wide array of chemical compounds where rare-earth elements (the lanthanides, plus scandium and yttrium) are the primary active component. These compounds are fundamental to numerous high-tech industries. Key sub-categories include oxides, chlorides, carbonates, and various organic salts of elements like neodymium, dysprosium, cerium, lanthanum, yttrium, and scandium. This classification is paramount for trade compliance due to the strategic importance and often volatile supply chains associated with rare-earth elements. Accurate classification ensures proper customs duties, avoids delays, and aids in monitoring the trade of these critical materials, which are subject to geopolitical considerations and, in some cases, export controls by producing nations. Historically, the demand for these compounds has surged with the rise of modern electronics, renewable energy technologies, and advanced materials. Their placement in Chapter 28 emphasizes their chemical identity and function as distinct from their metallic forms.
- Covers
- Neodymium oxide
- Dysprosium oxide
- Cerium oxide
- Lanthanum oxide
- Yttrium oxide
- Scandium oxide
- Praseodymium oxide
- Samarium oxide
- Europium oxide
- Gadolinium oxide
- Terbium oxide
- Erbium oxide
- Ytterbium oxide
- Lutetium oxide
- Cerium carbonate
- Lanthanum carbonate
- Neodymium chloride
- Yttrium chloride
- Scandium chloride
- Cerium nitrate
- Lanthanum nitrate
- Praseodymium nitrate
- Mixed rare-earth oxides
- Rare-earth phosphors (as compounds)
- Magnetic rare-earth compounds
- Catalytic rare-earth compounds
- Examples
A specialized chemical company in China exports a large volume of neodymium oxide, a crucial component for manufacturing high-strength permanent magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines, to a magnet production facility in Japan, typically shipped by sea freight. Separately, a pharmaceutical firm in the United States imports lanthanum carbonate from India for use in kidney disease medication, often transported by air cargo due to its pharmaceutical application. Another scenario involves a European electronics manufacturer importing a mixture of cerium oxide and other rare-earth oxides from Southeast Asia for use in polishing compounds for precision optics, arriving via container ship through the Indian Ocean and Suez Canal.
Subheadings under 28.46 2
Codes often confused with 28.46
Common mistake. A common misclassification error involves confusing the compounds of rare-earth metals (2846) with the pure rare-earth metals themselves (which could fall under 2805 if in certain forms, or Chapter 71 if unwrought or semi-manufactured). For example, classifying 'neodymium metal' instead of 'neodymium oxide' under 2846. Another mistake is classifying articles or finished products containing rare-earth magnets or components (e.g., electric motors, wind turbine generators) under 2846; these belong to their respective chapters based on the article's primary function (e.g., Chapter 85 for electrical machinery). The key distinction lies in whether the product is a chemical compound of the rare-earth metal or the metal in its elemental form, or a manufactured article incorporating these elements.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 2846, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 2846 in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, 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 Malaysia $485M 22% of world exports
- 2 Laos* ~$426M 19% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 China $371M 17% of world exports
World total: $2.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $1.6B 54% of world imports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$259M 9.0% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 United States $201M 7.0% of world imports
World total: $2.9B 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 28.46
What is HS code 2846?
HS code 2846 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Compounds, inorganic or organic, of rare-earth metals; of yttrium or of scandium or of mixtures of these metals. Heading 2846 is dedicated to compounds, inorganic or organic, of rare-earth metals, of yttrium, or of scandium, or of mixtures of these metals. This classification is positioned within Section VI, Chapter 28, and is critical for distinguishing these technologically vital compounds from the pure rare-earth metals themselves (which fall under Chapter 28 for certain forms or Chapter 71 for unwrought forms) and from articles made thereof. The scope encompasses a wide array of chemical compounds where rare-earth elements (the lanthanides, plus scandium and yttrium) are the primary active component. These compounds are fundamental to numerous high-tech industries. Key sub-categories include oxides, chlorides, carbonates, and various organic salts of elements like neodymium, dysprosium, cerium, lanthanum, yttrium, and scandium. This classification is paramount for trade compliance due to the strategic importance and often volatile supply chains associated with rare-earth elements. Accurate classification ensures proper customs duties, avoids delays, and aids in monitoring the trade of these critical materials, which are subject to geopolitical considerations and, in some cases, export controls by producing nations. Historically, the demand for these compounds has surged with the rise of modern electronics, renewable energy technologies, and advanced materials. Their placement in Chapter 28 emphasizes their chemical identity and function as distinct from their metallic forms.
What products fall under HS code 2846?
Neodymium oxide, Dysprosium oxide, Cerium oxide, Lanthanum oxide, Yttrium oxide, Scandium oxide, Praseodymium oxide, Samarium oxide, Europium oxide, Gadolinium oxide, Terbium oxide, Erbium oxide, Ytterbium oxide, Lutetium oxide, Cerium carbonate, Lanthanum carbonate, Neodymium chloride, Yttrium chloride, Scandium chloride, Cerium nitrate, Lanthanum nitrate, Praseodymium nitrate, Mixed rare-earth oxides, Rare-earth phosphors (as compounds), Magnetic rare-earth compounds, Catalytic rare-earth compounds
What are common misclassifications for HS code 2846?
A common misclassification error involves confusing the compounds of rare-earth metals (2846) with the pure rare-earth metals themselves (which could fall under 2805 if in certain forms, or Chapter 71 if unwrought or semi-manufactured). For example, classifying 'neodymium metal' instead of 'neodymium oxide' under 2846. Another mistake is classifying articles or finished products containing rare-earth magnets or components (e.g., electric motors, wind turbine generators) under 2846; these belong to their respective chapters based on the article's primary function (e.g., Chapter 85 for electrical machinery). The key distinction lies in whether the product is a chemical compound of the rare-earth metal or the metal in its elemental form, or a manufactured article incorporating these elements.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 2846?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 2846 in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($485M, 22% of world exports), Laos (about $426M) and China ($371M). World exports came to about $2.2B, 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 2846?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 2846 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.6B, 54% of world imports), Vietnam (about $259M) and the United States ($201M). World imports came to about $2.9B, 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 2846 structured?
HS code 2846 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 28 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (46) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.