HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2852.10 – Inorganic or organic compounds of mercury, excluding amalgams, chemically defined
HS code 2852.10 is the 6-digit subheading for inorganic or organic compounds of mercury, excluding amalgams, chemically defined. It is used for mercuric chloride, mercuric oxide, mercurous chloride (calomel), methylmercury chloride and phenylmercury acetate.
What HS 2852.10 covers
This HS code covers chemically defined inorganic or organic compounds of mercury, excluding amalgams. Due to the extreme toxicity of mercury and its compounds, international trade in these substances is highly regulated and has significantly declined following global environmental conventions like the Minamata Convention. Historically, mercury compounds found uses in various applications, including pharmaceuticals, pigments, catalysts, and scientific instruments. Today, their trade is largely restricted to very specific, essential industrial or research purposes where no viable alternatives exist, and under stringent environmental controls. Importers and exporters are typically specialized chemical companies or research institutions operating under strict permits. The global movement of these compounds is meticulously monitored to prevent environmental contamination and protect human health, reflecting a global shift away from mercury-containing products.
- Covers
- Mercuric chloride
- Mercuric oxide
- Mercurous chloride (calomel)
- Methylmercury chloride
- Phenylmercury acetate
- Mercury(II) sulfide
- Examples
- Used in some specialized batteries (historical)
- laboratory reagents
- specific catalysts (e.g., for vinyl chloride production, though declining)
Codes often confused with 2852.10
Common mistake. This code is for chemically defined mercury compounds. It's distinct from 285290 (not chemically defined) and amalgams (285390). Elemental mercury is under 280540.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 285210, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 285210 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 18% 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 Germany $4.0M 42% of world exports
- 2 India $1.5M 16% of world exports
- 3 Thailand $1.4M 15% of world exports
World total: $9.6M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $2.6M 18% of world imports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$1.5M 10% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 India $806K 5.6% of world imports
World total: $14M 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.
Brazil NCM codes for 2852.10 11
Brazil splits HS 2852.10 into 11 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 2852.10.1 Inorganic compoundsCompostos inorgânicos Group
- 2852.10.11 Mercury oxidesÓxidos
- 2852.10.12 Mercury(I) chloride (mercurous chloride)Cloreto de mercúrio I (cloreto mercuroso)
- 2852.10.13 Mercuric chloride for photographic use, retailCloreto de mercúrio II (cloreto mercúrico), para uso fotográfico, acondicionado para venda a retalho, pronto para utilização
- 2852.10.14 Mercuric chloride, otherwise presentedCloreto de mercúrio II (cloreto mercúrico), apresentado de outro modo
- 2852.10.19 Other inorganic mercury compoundsOutros
- 2852.10.2 Organic compoundsCompostos orgânicos Group
- 2852.10.21 Mercury acetateAcetato de mercúrio
- 2852.10.22 Thiomersal (thimerosal)Timerosal
- 2852.10.23 Mercury stearateEstearato de mercúrio
- 2852.10.24 Mercury lactateLactato de mercúrio
- 2852.10.25 Mercury salicylateSalicilato de mercúrio
- 2852.10.29 Other organic mercury compoundsOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 28.52 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2852.10
What is HS code 285210?
HS code 285210 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Inorganic or organic compounds of mercury, excluding amalgams, chemically defined. This HS code covers chemically defined inorganic or organic compounds of mercury, excluding amalgams. Due to the extreme toxicity of mercury and its compounds, international trade in these substances is highly regulated and has significantly declined following global environmental conventions like the Minamata Convention. Historically, mercury compounds found uses in various applications, including pharmaceuticals, pigments, catalysts, and scientific instruments. Today, their trade is largely restricted to very specific, essential industrial or research purposes where no viable alternatives exist, and under stringent environmental controls. Importers and exporters are typically specialized chemical companies or research institutions operating under strict permits. The global movement of these compounds is meticulously monitored to prevent environmental contamination and protect human health, reflecting a global shift away from mercury-containing products.
What products fall under HS code 285210?
Mercuric chloride, Mercuric oxide, Mercurous chloride (calomel), Methylmercury chloride, Phenylmercury acetate, Mercury(II) sulfide
What are common misclassifications for HS code 285210?
This code is for chemically defined mercury compounds. It's distinct from 285290 (not chemically defined) and amalgams (285390). Elemental mercury is under 280540.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 285210?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 285210 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($4.0M, 42% of world exports), India ($1.5M) and Thailand ($1.4M). World exports came to about $9.6M, 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 285210?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 285210 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($2.6M, 18% of world imports), Vietnam (about $1.5M) and India ($806K). World imports came to about $14M, 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 285210 structured?
HS code 285210 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (52) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 285210?
Brazil splits HS code 285210 into 11 NCM codes: 2852.10.11 (Mercury oxides), 2852.10.12 (Mercury(I) chloride (mercurous chloride)), 2852.10.13 (Mercuric chloride for photographic use, retail), 2852.10.14 (Mercuric chloride, otherwise presented), 2852.10.19 (Other inorganic mercury compounds), 2852.10.21 (Mercury acetate), 2852.10.22 (Thiomersal (thimerosal)), 2852.10.23 (Mercury stearate), and more listed on this page. The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.