HS Code 70.01 – Glass; cullet and other waste and scrap of glass, excluding glass from cathode ray tubes or other activated glass of heading 85.49, glass in the mass

HS code 7001 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Glass; cullet and other waste and scrap of glass, excluding glass from cathode ray tubes or other activated glass of heading 85.49, glass in the mass. Heading 7001 encompasses 'Glass; cullet and other waste and scrap of glass, excluding glass from cathode ray tubes or other activated glass of heading 85.49, glass in the mass.' This classification is fundamental to the glass industry and the circular economy, covering raw or recycled glass materials. 'Cullet' refers to broken or waste glass, which is a primary raw material for manufacturing new glass products, reducing energy consumption and raw material extraction. The scope is broad, including various forms of waste and scrap glass from industrial processes or post-consumer recycling, such as broken bottles, jars, window glass, and industrial glass off-cuts. Crucially, specific exclusions are noted: glass in the mass (which is molten or bulk unformed glass, often considered a stage of manufacturing) and, more importantly, glass from cathode ray tubes (CRTs) or other activated glass of heading 85.49. These exclusions are due to the hazardous materials (e.g., lead) often found in CRT glass, requiring specialized handling and classification under electronic waste. Classification here is vital for environmental compliance, waste management regulations, and determining raw material tariffs, which are often low or zero to encourage recycling. This heading forms the very foundation of Chapter 70, which covers 'Glass and glassware,' by addressing the initial raw material inputs for glass production.

Clear glass cullet, amber glass cullet, green glass cullet, mixed color glass cullet, broken glass bottles, discarded glass jars, waste window glass, industrial glass scrap, optical glass waste, laboratory glassware scrap (broken), lamp glass scrap, flat glass cullet, beverage bottle cullet, pharmaceutical glass cullet, cosmetic bottle cullet, furnace-ready cullet, pre-sorted cullet, post-consumer glass waste, pre-industrial glass waste, sheet glass scrap, automotive glass cullet, container glass cullet, insulation glass scrap, borosilicate glass cullet, soda-lime glass cullet.

Common misclassifications for Heading 7001 primarily stem from misunderstanding its exclusions and the 'waste and scrap' definition. A frequent mistake is classifying glass from cathode ray tubes (CRTs) or other activated glass here, when these hazardous electronic waste components belong in 8549 ('Waste and scrap of electrical or electronic equipment'). Another error is classifying unworked glass in primary forms, such as glass in balls, rods, or tubes, here instead of 7002, which covers 'Glass in balls (other than microspheres of heading no. 7018), rods or tubes, unworked.' Lastly, 'glass in the mass' (bulk unformed glass) is explicitly excluded, meaning molten or raw, unshaped glass is not classified here. The key is to verify the 'waste and scrap' nature and strictly adhere to the specific exclusions to avoid compliance issues, especially concerning hazardous waste regulations.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 7001 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($131M, 21% of world exports), China ($81M) and Belgium ($62M). World exports came to about $640M, 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.

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 7001 in UN Comtrade data were China ($102M, 15% of world imports), the United States ($51M) and the Netherlands ($47M). World imports came to about $662M, 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.

HS code 7001 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 70 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (70) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (01) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.