HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 6805.20 – Abrasive powder or grain; natural or artificial, on a base of paper or paperboard only, whether or not cut to shape or sewn or otherwise made up
HS code 6805.20 is the 6-digit subheading for abrasive powder or grain, natural or artificial, on a base of paper or paperboard only, whether or not cut to shape or sewn or otherwise made up. It is used for sandpaper sheets, sanding discs (paper-backed), sanding rolls (paper), orbital sander discs and wet/dry sandpaper.
What HS 6805.20 covers
This HS code covers abrasive products where natural or artificial abrasive powder or grain is bonded onto a base of paper or paperboard only. These abrasives are widely traded due to their cost-effectiveness and versatility, making them a staple in woodworking, automotive body repair, painting, and general DIY applications. While generally less durable than cloth-backed abrasives, paper-backed products offer excellent conformability and are available in a vast range of grit sizes for tasks from rough sanding to fine finishing. Importers include countries with significant construction, automotive aftermarket, and consumer DIY markets. Exporters are typically nations with strong paper and chemical industries capable of producing both the backing material and the abrasive grains. The trade in these items is driven by widespread demand for surface preparation and finishing across various sectors.
- Covers
- Sandpaper sheets
- Sanding discs (paper-backed)
- Sanding rolls (paper)
- Orbital sander discs
- Wet/dry sandpaper
- Abrasive sponges (paper-backed)
- Sanding blocks
- Examples
- 3M sandpaper sheets
- Norton Abrasives paper sanding discs
- Klingspor wet/dry sandpaper
- Gator Grit sanding rolls
Codes often confused with 6805.20
Common mistake. Often confused with 680510 (textile-backed abrasives) or 680530 (other backing materials). The 'on a base of paper or paperboard only' is the defining characteristic.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 680520, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 680520 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 13% 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 $321M 24% of world exports
- 2 Germany $195M 15% of world exports
- 3 United States $103M 7.8% of world exports
World total: $1.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $163M 13% of world imports
- 2 United States $130M 10% of world imports
- 3 Poland $75M 5.9% of world imports
World total: $1.3B 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 code for 6805.20
Brazil does not split HS 6805.20: its NCM code is 6805.20.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 68.05 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 6805.20
What is HS code 680520?
HS code 680520 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Abrasive powder or grain; natural or artificial, on a base of paper or paperboard only, whether or not cut to shape or sewn or otherwise made up. This HS code covers abrasive products where natural or artificial abrasive powder or grain is bonded onto a base of paper or paperboard only. These abrasives are widely traded due to their cost-effectiveness and versatility, making them a staple in woodworking, automotive body repair, painting, and general DIY applications. While generally less durable than cloth-backed abrasives, paper-backed products offer excellent conformability and are available in a vast range of grit sizes for tasks from rough sanding to fine finishing. Importers include countries with significant construction, automotive aftermarket, and consumer DIY markets. Exporters are typically nations with strong paper and chemical industries capable of producing both the backing material and the abrasive grains. The trade in these items is driven by widespread demand for surface preparation and finishing across various sectors.
What products fall under HS code 680520?
Sandpaper sheets, sanding discs (paper-backed), sanding rolls (paper), orbital sander discs, wet/dry sandpaper, abrasive sponges (paper-backed), sanding blocks
What are common misclassifications for HS code 680520?
Often confused with 680510 (textile-backed abrasives) or 680530 (other backing materials). The 'on a base of paper or paperboard only' is the defining characteristic.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 680520?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 680520 in UN Comtrade data were China ($321M, 24% of world exports), Germany ($195M) and the United States ($103M). World exports came to about $1.3B, 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 680520?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 680520 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($163M, 13% of world imports), the United States ($130M) and Poland ($75M). World imports came to about $1.3B, 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 680520 structured?
HS code 680520 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (68) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 680520?
In Brazil, HS code 680520 is NCM 6805.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.