HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2849.90 – Carbides; whether or not chemically defined, other than of calcium or silicon
HS code 2849.90 is the 6-digit subheading for carbides, whether or not chemically defined, other than of calcium or silicon. It is used for tungsten carbide powder, titanium carbide, boron carbide, chromium carbide and vanadium carbide.
What HS 2849.90 covers
This HS code covers a broad array of carbides, excluding those of calcium (284910) and silicon (284920). This category includes critical materials like tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, boron carbide, and chromium carbide, which are fundamental to various heavy industries and advanced manufacturing. These carbides are renowned for their exceptional hardness, wear resistance, and high-temperature stability, making them essential for cutting tools, wear parts, armor, and high-performance coatings. International trade is driven by the demand from sectors such as mining, construction, metalworking, aerospace, and defense. Exporters are typically countries with strong metallurgical and materials science industries, while importers are nations with significant manufacturing bases that rely on durable and high-performance tooling and components. The specific properties of each carbide dictate its niche market and trade dynamics.
- Covers
- Tungsten carbide powder
- Titanium carbide
- Boron carbide
- Chromium carbide
- Vanadium carbide
- Niobium carbide
- Zirconium carbide
- Examples
- Kennametal (tungsten carbide tools)
- Sandvik Coromant (carbide inserts)
- Hyperion Materials (various carbides)
- Ceratizit (carbide components)
Codes often confused with 2849.90
Common mistake. This is the 'other' category for carbides, so it's crucial to distinguish it from 284910 (calcium) and 284920 (silicon). Misclassification often occurs if the specific carbide is not correctly identified.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 284990, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 284990 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 39% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 16% 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 $170M 39% of world exports
- 2 Germany $72M 17% of world exports
- 3 South Korea $40M 9.2% of world exports
World total: $432M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $128M 16% of world imports
- 2 Japan $121M 15% of world imports
- 3 United States $109M 14% of world imports
World total: $806M 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 2849.90 4
Brazil splits HS 2849.90 into 4 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2849.90.10 Boron carbideDe boro
- 2849.90.20 Tantalum carbideDe tântalo
- 2849.90.30 Tungsten (wolfram) carbideDe tungstênio (volfrâmio)
- 2849.90.90 Other carbidesOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 28.49 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2849.90
What is HS code 284990?
HS code 284990 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Carbides; whether or not chemically defined, other than of calcium or silicon. This HS code covers a broad array of carbides, excluding those of calcium (284910) and silicon (284920). This category includes critical materials like tungsten carbide, titanium carbide, boron carbide, and chromium carbide, which are fundamental to various heavy industries and advanced manufacturing. These carbides are renowned for their exceptional hardness, wear resistance, and high-temperature stability, making them essential for cutting tools, wear parts, armor, and high-performance coatings. International trade is driven by the demand from sectors such as mining, construction, metalworking, aerospace, and defense. Exporters are typically countries with strong metallurgical and materials science industries, while importers are nations with significant manufacturing bases that rely on durable and high-performance tooling and components. The specific properties of each carbide dictate its niche market and trade dynamics.
What products fall under HS code 284990?
Tungsten carbide powder, Titanium carbide, Boron carbide, Chromium carbide, Vanadium carbide, Niobium carbide, Zirconium carbide
What are common misclassifications for HS code 284990?
This is the 'other' category for carbides, so it's crucial to distinguish it from 284910 (calcium) and 284920 (silicon). Misclassification often occurs if the specific carbide is not correctly identified.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 284990?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 284990 in UN Comtrade data were China ($170M, 39% of world exports), Germany ($72M) and South Korea ($40M). World exports came to about $432M, 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 284990?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 284990 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($128M, 16% of world imports), Japan ($121M) and the United States ($109M). World imports came to about $806M, 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 284990 structured?
HS code 284990 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (49) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 284990?
Brazil splits HS code 284990 into 4 NCM codes: 2849.90.10 (Boron carbide), 2849.90.20 (Tantalum carbide), 2849.90.30 (Tungsten (wolfram) carbide), 2849.90.90 (Other carbides). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.