HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7409.40 – Copper; plates, sheets and strip, of a thickness exceeding 0.15mm, of copper-nickel base alloys (cupro-nickel) or copper-nickel-zinc base alloys (nickel silver)
HS code 7409.40 is the 6-digit subheading for copper, plates, sheets and strip, of a thickness exceeding 0.15mm, of copper-nickel base alloys (cupro-nickel) or copper-nickel-zinc base alloys (nickel silver). It is used for cupro-nickel plate, nickel silver sheet, C70600 cupro-nickel strip, C71500 cupro-nickel plate and C75200 nickel silver sheet.
What HS 7409.40 covers
This HS code covers plates, sheets, and strip of cupro-nickel (copper-nickel base alloys) and nickel silver (copper-nickel-zinc base alloys), all exceeding 0.15mm in thickness. These specialized alloys are highly valued in international trade for their exceptional corrosion resistance, particularly in saltwater environments, good strength, and attractive appearance. Cupro-nickel is extensively used in marine applications (ship hulls, piping, heat exchangers), coinage, and desalination plants. Nickel silver, despite its name, contains no silver but is prized for its hardness, wear resistance, and silvery appearance, making it suitable for musical instruments, optical equipment, and decorative items. Major importers are countries with significant marine industries, mints, and precision manufacturing, such as the United States, South Korea, and Germany. Exporters often include nations with advanced metallurgical capabilities, like China, Germany, and Japan. Trade focuses on specific alloy compositions (e.g., C70600, C71500 cupro-nickel; C75200, C77000 nickel silver), dimensions, and surface quality.
- Covers
- Cupro-nickel plate
- Nickel silver sheet
- C70600 cupro-nickel strip
- C71500 cupro-nickel plate
- C75200 nickel silver sheet
- Marine grade cupro-nickel
- Coinage cupro-nickel strip
- Examples
- Wieland Cupro-Nickel Sheets
- KME Nickel Silver Strip
- Aurubis Cupro-Nickel Plates
- Lebronze Alloys Nickel Silver
Codes often confused with 7409.40
Common mistake. This code is specific to copper-nickel and copper-nickel-zinc alloys. It can be confused with other copper alloy plates/sheets/strips (e.g., 74092x for brass, 74093x for bronze) if the specific alloy composition is not correctly identified.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 740940, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 740940 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 22% 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 $327M 35% of world exports
- 2 Japan $184M 20% of world exports
- 3 China $91M 9.7% of world exports
World total: $940M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $190M 22% of world imports
- 2 United States $104M 12% of world imports
- 3 Germany $97M 11% of world imports
World total: $869M 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 codes for 7409.40 3
Brazil splits HS 7409.40 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 7409.40.1 In coilsEm rolos Group
- 7409.40.11 Galvanised copper-nickel-silicon strip, in coilsDe liga de cobreniquelsilício, galvanizadas
- 7409.40.19 Other cupro-nickel/nickel silver strip, in coilsOutras
- 7409.40.90 Cupro-nickel or nickel silver sheet, not in coilsOutras
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 74.09 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 7409.40
What is HS code 740940?
HS code 740940 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Copper; plates, sheets and strip, of a thickness exceeding 0.15mm, of copper-nickel base alloys (cupro-nickel) or copper-nickel-zinc base alloys (nickel silver). This HS code covers plates, sheets, and strip of cupro-nickel (copper-nickel base alloys) and nickel silver (copper-nickel-zinc base alloys), all exceeding 0.15mm in thickness. These specialized alloys are highly valued in international trade for their exceptional corrosion resistance, particularly in saltwater environments, good strength, and attractive appearance. Cupro-nickel is extensively used in marine applications (ship hulls, piping, heat exchangers), coinage, and desalination plants. Nickel silver, despite its name, contains no silver but is prized for its hardness, wear resistance, and silvery appearance, making it suitable for musical instruments, optical equipment, and decorative items. Major importers are countries with significant marine industries, mints, and precision manufacturing, such as the United States, South Korea, and Germany. Exporters often include nations with advanced metallurgical capabilities, like China, Germany, and Japan. Trade focuses on specific alloy compositions (e.g., C70600, C71500 cupro-nickel; C75200, C77000 nickel silver), dimensions, and surface quality.
What products fall under HS code 740940?
Cupro-nickel plate, Nickel silver sheet, C70600 cupro-nickel strip, C71500 cupro-nickel plate, C75200 nickel silver sheet, Marine grade cupro-nickel, Coinage cupro-nickel strip
What are common misclassifications for HS code 740940?
This code is specific to copper-nickel and copper-nickel-zinc alloys. It can be confused with other copper alloy plates/sheets/strips (e.g., 74092x for brass, 74093x for bronze) if the specific alloy composition is not correctly identified.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 740940?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 740940 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($327M, 35% of world exports), Japan ($184M) and China ($91M). World exports came to about $940M, 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 740940?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 740940 in UN Comtrade data were China ($190M, 22% of world imports), the United States ($104M) and Germany ($97M). World imports came to about $869M, 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 740940 structured?
HS code 740940 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (74) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (09) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (40) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 740940?
Brazil splits HS code 740940 into 3 NCM codes: 7409.40.11 (Galvanised copper-nickel-silicon strip, in coils), 7409.40.19 (Other cupro-nickel/nickel silver strip, in coils), 7409.40.90 (Cupro-nickel or nickel silver sheet, not in coils). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.