HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 74.02 – Copper; unrefined, copper anodes for electrolytic refining
What HS 74.02 covers
HS Code 7402 encompasses "Unrefined copper; copper anodes for electrolytic refining." This heading covers copper products that have undergone initial smelting but have not yet reached the purity levels of refined copper, typically exceeding 99% copper content. Key products include blister copper, which is about 99-99.5% pure and still contains impurities like sulfur and oxygen, and black copper. Crucially, it also includes copper anodes specifically designed for electrolytic refining, which are cast from unrefined copper and serve as the input for the final stage of purification. The scope of this classification is critical for distinguishing these semi-processed forms from the much cruder intermediates of 7401 and the highly pure products of 7403. This classification is vital for trade compliance, impacting customs duties, import/export restrictions, and accurate trade statistics, reflecting the global flow of copper through its processing stages. Historically, the trade of unrefined copper has supported the industrialization of nations by providing essential raw materials for their manufacturing sectors. This heading sits within Chapter 74 (Copper and articles thereof) and Section XV (Base Metals), representing the penultimate stage before copper achieves its commercially refined state.
- Covers
- Blister copper ingots
- Blister copper cakes
- Black copper
- Copper anodes for electrolytic refining
- Fire-refined copper (unrefined purity)
- Unrefined copper billets
- Anode copper slabs
- Cast copper anodes
- Primary unrefined copper shapes
- Unrefined copper bars
- Unrefined copper slugs
- Copper anode scrap (for remelting into anodes)
- Unrefined copper granules
- Copper anode blanks
- High-sulfur copper anodes
- Unrefined copper blocks.
- Examples
A large copper smelter in Chile regularly exports blister copper ingots to a major refining facility in China, where they are further processed into high-purity copper cathodes. This trade often occurs via bulk cargo vessels across the Pacific Ocean. Similarly, the Democratic Republic of Congo is a significant exporter of copper anodes for electrolytic refining to Europe, particularly to refineries in countries like Finland and Germany, facilitating the production of refined copper for the automotive and electronics industries. An Australian mining company might also ship blister copper to Japan, where it undergoes final electrolytic refining before being used in various manufacturing applications across Asia.
Subheadings under 74.02 1
Codes often confused with 74.02
Common mistake. Traders frequently confuse 7402 with 7401 (Copper mattes; cement copper) and 7403 (Refined copper and copper alloys, unwrought). The key difference from 7401 is that 7402 represents a more processed form of unrefined copper (e.g., blister copper, anodes), which is closer to final refining than the crude mattes or precipitated copper. Conversely, distinguishing from 7403 is about purity: 7402 is explicitly 'unrefined,' while 7403 covers copper of 99.9% purity or higher. Misclassifying can lead to significant duty discrepancies, as refined copper often has different tariff rates. It's crucial to verify the purity and processing stage to avoid errors.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 7402, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 7402 in UN Comtrade data was Zambia, with about 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 43% 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 Zambia* ~$5.0B 29% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Sweden $3.4B 20% of world exports
- 3 Chile $2.2B 13% of world exports
World total: $17.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $7.5B 43% of world imports
- 2 India $2.7B 15% of world imports
- 3 Belgium $2.1B 12% of world imports
World total: $17.6B 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.
Questions about HS 74.02
What is HS code 7402?
HS code 7402 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Copper; unrefined, copper anodes for electrolytic refining. HS Code 7402 encompasses "Unrefined copper; copper anodes for electrolytic refining." This heading covers copper products that have undergone initial smelting but have not yet reached the purity levels of refined copper, typically exceeding 99% copper content. Key products include blister copper, which is about 99-99.5% pure and still contains impurities like sulfur and oxygen, and black copper. Crucially, it also includes copper anodes specifically designed for electrolytic refining, which are cast from unrefined copper and serve as the input for the final stage of purification. The scope of this classification is critical for distinguishing these semi-processed forms from the much cruder intermediates of 7401 and the highly pure products of 7403. This classification is vital for trade compliance, impacting customs duties, import/export restrictions, and accurate trade statistics, reflecting the global flow of copper through its processing stages. Historically, the trade of unrefined copper has supported the industrialization of nations by providing essential raw materials for their manufacturing sectors. This heading sits within Chapter 74 (Copper and articles thereof) and Section XV (Base Metals), representing the penultimate stage before copper achieves its commercially refined state.
What products fall under HS code 7402?
Blister copper ingots, blister copper cakes, black copper, copper anodes for electrolytic refining, fire-refined copper (unrefined purity), unrefined copper billets, anode copper slabs, cast copper anodes, primary unrefined copper shapes, unrefined copper bars, unrefined copper slugs, copper anode scrap (for remelting into anodes), unrefined copper granules, copper anode blanks, high-sulfur copper anodes, unrefined copper blocks.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 7402?
Traders frequently confuse 7402 with 7401 (Copper mattes; cement copper) and 7403 (Refined copper and copper alloys, unwrought). The key difference from 7401 is that 7402 represents a more processed form of unrefined copper (e.g., blister copper, anodes), which is closer to final refining than the crude mattes or precipitated copper. Conversely, distinguishing from 7403 is about purity: 7402 is explicitly 'unrefined,' while 7403 covers copper of 99.9% purity or higher. Misclassifying can lead to significant duty discrepancies, as refined copper often has different tariff rates. It's crucial to verify the purity and processing stage to avoid errors.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 7402?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 7402 in UN Comtrade data were Zambia (about $5.0B, 29% of world exports), Sweden ($3.4B) and Chile ($2.2B). World exports came to about $17.2B, 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 7402?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 7402 in UN Comtrade data were China ($7.5B, 43% of world imports), India ($2.7B) and Belgium ($2.1B). World imports came to about $17.6B, 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 7402 structured?
HS code 7402 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 74 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (74) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (02) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.