HS code · 2-digit chapter
HS Code 75 – Nickel and articles thereof
What HS 75 covers
Chapter 75 of the Harmonized System (HS) meticulously covers 'Nickel and articles thereof,' a critical classification for international trade given nickel's diverse industrial applications. This chapter encompasses nickel in its raw forms, including unwrought nickel (mattes, briquettes, cathodes), waste and scrap, powders, and flakes. It then extends to semi-manufactured products such as bars, rods, profiles, wire, plates, sheets, strip, foil, tubes, pipes, and fittings. Finally, it includes a broad range of finished articles made predominantly of nickel or nickel alloys, provided they are not more specifically covered elsewhere in the HS nomenclature. The scope and boundaries are crucial for compliance; this chapter applies when nickel is the predominant metallic element by weight in alloys, or for articles wholly of nickel. It is vital for trade compliance because nickel is a strategic metal, essential for stainless steel production, superalloys in aerospace, electroplating, chemical processing equipment, and increasingly, electric vehicle batteries. Accurate classification under Chapter 75 ensures correct duty assessment, eligibility for preferential trade agreements, and compliance with potential import/export restrictions or licensing requirements related to critical minerals. Historically, nickel's corrosion resistance and high-temperature strength have driven its significance, with recent demand surges tied to green technologies. Major headings within this chapter include 7501 for nickel mattes and unwrought nickel, 7503 for waste and scrap, 7505 for bars, rods and wire, 7506 for plates, sheets, and foil, and 7508 for other articles of nickel, each dictating specific duty rates and regulatory considerations.
- Covers
- Unwrought nickel cathodes
- Nickel briquettes
- Nickel mattes
- Nickel waste
- Nickel scrap
- Nickel powders
- Nickel flakes
- Nickel bars
- Nickel rods
- Nickel profiles
- Nickel wire
- Nickel plates
- Nickel sheets
- Nickel strip
- Nickel foil
- Nickel tubes
- Nickel pipes
- Nickel pipe fittings
- Nickel nuts
- Nickel bolts
- Nickel washers
- Nickel springs
- Nickel crucibles
- Nickel electrodes
- Nickel mesh
- Nickel-plated cooking utensils (if predominantly nickel)
- Examples
A battery manufacturing giant in South Korea imports high-purity unwrought nickel cathodes (HS 7502.10) from Canada, a leading global producer, via ocean freight across the Pacific. This critical raw material is then processed into active cathode materials for electric vehicle batteries, often benefiting from reduced tariffs under the KOR-CAN Free Trade Agreement. A specialty metals fabricator in Germany exports nickel alloy wire (HS 7505.22) with exceptional heat resistance to an aerospace component manufacturer in the United States. This wire is vital for producing components used in high-performance jet engines, typically shipped by air cargo due to its high value and time-sensitive delivery, requiring specific end-use certifications. A metal recycling company in Japan consolidates industrial nickel waste and scrap (HS 7503.00) and exports it to a smelter in China. The scrap, loaded into shipping containers, travels by sea, providing a crucial secondary source of nickel for various Chinese industries and subject to environmental regulations and import quotas. An Indian chemical processing plant imports specialized nickel alloy pipes and fittings (HS 7507.12) from Finland, a country known for its advanced metallurgical industries. These components are essential for constructing corrosion-resistant reactors, crucial for handling aggressive chemicals, and are shipped via ocean freight with stringent material specification documentation.
Headings in chapter 75 8
Codes often confused with 75
Common mistake. Traders frequently misclassify nickel products by overlooking the 'predominant metal by weight' rule for alloys. A common mistake is classifying nickel-containing alloys under Chapter 72 (Iron and Steel) or Chapter 74 (Copper and articles thereof) if nickel is present but not the primary constituent. For example, a copper-nickel alloy where copper is predominant should fall under Chapter 74, not 75. Similarly, an article made of a nickel-iron alloy might belong to Chapter 72 if iron is predominant. Another error occurs with specific articles of nickel that are parts of machinery or electrical apparatus. For instance, a nickel-alloy valve designed specifically for a chemical pump (Chapter 84) should be classified with the pump part rather than as a general article of nickel in 7508, based on General Rule of Interpretation 3(b) and relevant Section/Chapter Notes. This functional classification often overrides material classification when the article is clearly identifiable as a part of a specific machine.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 75, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 75 in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 33% 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 Indonesia $9.7B 23% of world exports
- 2 United States $4.8B 11% of world exports
- 3 China $3.5B 8.4% of world exports
World total: $41.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $14.2B 33% of world imports
- 2 United States $3.4B 7.8% of world imports
- 3 Japan $3.2B 7.3% of world imports
World total: $43.4B 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.
Questions about HS 75
What is HS code 75?
HS code 75 is a 2-digit chapter in the Harmonized System that covers: Nickel and articles thereof. Chapter 75 of the Harmonized System (HS) meticulously covers 'Nickel and articles thereof,' a critical classification for international trade given nickel's diverse industrial applications. This chapter encompasses nickel in its raw forms, including unwrought nickel (mattes, briquettes, cathodes), waste and scrap, powders, and flakes. It then extends to semi-manufactured products such as bars, rods, profiles, wire, plates, sheets, strip, foil, tubes, pipes, and fittings. Finally, it includes a broad range of finished articles made predominantly of nickel or nickel alloys, provided they are not more specifically covered elsewhere in the HS nomenclature. The scope and boundaries are crucial for compliance; this chapter applies when nickel is the predominant metallic element by weight in alloys, or for articles wholly of nickel. It is vital for trade compliance because nickel is a strategic metal, essential for stainless steel production, superalloys in aerospace, electroplating, chemical processing equipment, and increasingly, electric vehicle batteries. Accurate classification under Chapter 75 ensures correct duty assessment, eligibility for preferential trade agreements, and compliance with potential import/export restrictions or licensing requirements related to critical minerals. Historically, nickel's corrosion resistance and high-temperature strength have driven its significance, with recent demand surges tied to green technologies. Major headings within this chapter include 7501 for nickel mattes and unwrought nickel, 7503 for waste and scrap, 7505 for bars, rods and wire, 7506 for plates, sheets, and foil, and 7508 for other articles of nickel, each dictating specific duty rates and regulatory considerations.
What products fall under HS code 75?
Unwrought nickel cathodes, nickel briquettes, nickel mattes, nickel waste, nickel scrap, nickel powders, nickel flakes, nickel bars, nickel rods, nickel profiles, nickel wire, nickel plates, nickel sheets, nickel strip, nickel foil, nickel tubes, nickel pipes, nickel pipe fittings, nickel nuts, nickel bolts, nickel washers, nickel springs, nickel crucibles, nickel electrodes, nickel mesh, nickel-plated cooking utensils (if predominantly nickel)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 75?
Traders frequently misclassify nickel products by overlooking the 'predominant metal by weight' rule for alloys. A common mistake is classifying nickel-containing alloys under Chapter 72 (Iron and Steel) or Chapter 74 (Copper and articles thereof) if nickel is present but not the primary constituent. For example, a copper-nickel alloy where copper is predominant should fall under Chapter 74, not 75. Similarly, an article made of a nickel-iron alloy might belong to Chapter 72 if iron is predominant. Another error occurs with specific articles of nickel that are parts of machinery or electrical apparatus. For instance, a nickel-alloy valve designed specifically for a chemical pump (Chapter 84) should be classified with the pump part rather than as a general article of nickel in 7508, based on General Rule of Interpretation 3(b) and relevant Section/Chapter Notes. This functional classification often overrides material classification when the article is clearly identifiable as a part of a specific machine.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 75?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 75 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($9.7B, 23% of world exports), the United States ($4.8B) and China ($3.5B). World exports came to about $41.8B, 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 75?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 75 in UN Comtrade data were China ($14.2B, 33% of world imports), the United States ($3.4B) and Japan ($3.2B). World imports came to about $43.4B, 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 75 structured?
HS code 75 is a 2-digit chapter code in the Harmonized System maintained by the World Customs Organization. It represents a broad category of goods and contains multiple 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings for more specific classifications.