HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7110.49 – Metals; iridium, osmium, ruthenium, semi-manufactured
HS code 7110.49 is the 6-digit subheading for metals, iridium, osmium, ruthenium, semi-manufactured. It is used for iridium wire, ruthenium sheet, osmium rod, iridium crucibles and ruthenium contacts.
What HS 7110.49 covers
This category covers iridium, osmium, and ruthenium that have undergone initial processing beyond their raw state, appearing as wire, sheet, rod, or tube. These semi-manufactured forms are crucial for highly specialized industrial applications where extreme properties are required. Iridium is used in high-performance spark plugs, crucibles for crystal growth, and medical implants due to its corrosion resistance and high melting point. Osmium, due to its extreme hardness, is found in instrument pivots and electrical contacts. Ruthenium is used in electrical contacts, wear-resistant alloys, and as a catalyst. Importers are specialized manufacturers in aerospace, electronics, medical, and chemical sectors. Exporters are typically nations with advanced refining and metallurgical capabilities. The trade in these semi-manufactured PGMs is driven by their unique physical and chemical properties, essential for cutting-edge technologies, despite their extreme rarity and high cost.
- Covers
- Iridium wire
- Ruthenium sheet
- Osmium rod
- Iridium crucibles
- Ruthenium contacts
- Osmium tips
- Iridium electrodes
- Ruthenium targets
- Examples
- Johnson Matthey iridium wire
- Heraeus ruthenium sheet
- Umicore iridium crucibles
- Tanaka Kikinzoku ruthenium contacts
Codes often confused with 7110.49
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 711041 (iridium, osmium, ruthenium, unwrought or in powder form) if the level of processing is ambiguous, or with finished components like specialized electrodes (Chapter 85) or laboratory ware (Chapter 90).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 711049, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 711049 in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 36% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Singapore, with 34% 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 Japan $319M 36% of world exports
- 2 South Africa $212M 24% of world exports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$82M 9.3% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $876M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Singapore $164M 34% of world imports
- 2 China $114M 24% of world imports
- 3 United States $57M 12% of world imports
World total: $475M 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 7110.49
Brazil does not split HS 7110.49: its NCM code is 7110.49.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 71.10 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 7110.49
What is HS code 711049?
HS code 711049 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Metals; iridium, osmium, ruthenium, semi-manufactured. This category covers iridium, osmium, and ruthenium that have undergone initial processing beyond their raw state, appearing as wire, sheet, rod, or tube. These semi-manufactured forms are crucial for highly specialized industrial applications where extreme properties are required. Iridium is used in high-performance spark plugs, crucibles for crystal growth, and medical implants due to its corrosion resistance and high melting point. Osmium, due to its extreme hardness, is found in instrument pivots and electrical contacts. Ruthenium is used in electrical contacts, wear-resistant alloys, and as a catalyst. Importers are specialized manufacturers in aerospace, electronics, medical, and chemical sectors. Exporters are typically nations with advanced refining and metallurgical capabilities. The trade in these semi-manufactured PGMs is driven by their unique physical and chemical properties, essential for cutting-edge technologies, despite their extreme rarity and high cost.
What products fall under HS code 711049?
Iridium wire, Ruthenium sheet, Osmium rod, Iridium crucibles, Ruthenium contacts, Osmium tips, Iridium electrodes, Ruthenium targets
What are common misclassifications for HS code 711049?
This code can be confused with 711041 (iridium, osmium, ruthenium, unwrought or in powder form) if the level of processing is ambiguous, or with finished components like specialized electrodes (Chapter 85) or laboratory ware (Chapter 90).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 711049?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 711049 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($319M, 36% of world exports), South Africa ($212M) and Taiwan (about $82M). World exports came to about $876M, 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 711049?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 711049 in UN Comtrade data were Singapore ($164M, 34% of world imports), China ($114M) and the United States ($57M). World imports came to about $475M, 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 711049 structured?
HS code 711049 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (71) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (10) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (49) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 711049?
In Brazil, HS code 711049 is NCM 7110.49.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.