HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7501.20 – Nickel; oxide sinters and other intermediate products of nickel metallurgy
HS code 7501.20 is the 6-digit subheading for nickel, oxide sinters and other intermediate products of nickel metallurgy. It is used for nickel oxide sinter, nickel matte, nickel speiss, ferro-nickel pig and nickel sulfide concentrate.
What HS 7501.20 covers
This code encompasses the semi-processed forms of nickel that emerge directly from the smelting and refining stages, but before they become unwrought metal. These intermediate products, such as nickel oxide sinters, matte, and speiss, are crucial for further processing into pure nickel or nickel alloys. Major importers are countries with advanced metallurgical industries that lack sufficient domestic nickel ore processing capacity, such as Japan, Germany, and the United States. Exporters are typically major nickel mining and smelting nations like Indonesia, the Philippines, Russia, and Canada. Key things to know include the varying nickel content and impurity levels, which dictate their value and suitability for different refining processes. The trade in these intermediates reflects global supply chains for nickel, a critical component in stainless steel, batteries, and superalloys, making it a bellwether for industrial demand.
- Covers
- Nickel oxide sinter
- Nickel matte
- Nickel speiss
- Ferro-nickel pig
- Nickel sulfide concentrate
- Mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP)
- Mixed sulfide precipitate (MSP)
- Examples
- Vale nickel matte
- Glencore nickel oxide
- Sumitomo Metal Mining MHP
- BHP nickel concentrate
Codes often confused with 7501.20
Common mistake. This code can be confused with unwrought nickel (7502xx) if the intermediate product is highly refined, or with nickel ores and concentrates (260400) if it's less processed. The distinction lies in the degree of metallurgical transformation.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 750120, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 750120 in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 78% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 84% 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 $5.4B 78% of world exports
- 2 Papua New Guinea* ~$472M 6.8% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Philippines $409M 5.9% of world exports
World total: $6.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $6.9B 84% of world imports
- 2 Japan $599M 7.3% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $413M 5.0% of world imports
World total: $8.2B 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.
Brazil NCM code for 7501.20
Brazil does not split HS 7501.20: its NCM code is 7501.20.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 75.01 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 7501.20
What is HS code 750120?
HS code 750120 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Nickel; oxide sinters and other intermediate products of nickel metallurgy. This code encompasses the semi-processed forms of nickel that emerge directly from the smelting and refining stages, but before they become unwrought metal. These intermediate products, such as nickel oxide sinters, matte, and speiss, are crucial for further processing into pure nickel or nickel alloys. Major importers are countries with advanced metallurgical industries that lack sufficient domestic nickel ore processing capacity, such as Japan, Germany, and the United States. Exporters are typically major nickel mining and smelting nations like Indonesia, the Philippines, Russia, and Canada. Key things to know include the varying nickel content and impurity levels, which dictate their value and suitability for different refining processes. The trade in these intermediates reflects global supply chains for nickel, a critical component in stainless steel, batteries, and superalloys, making it a bellwether for industrial demand.
What products fall under HS code 750120?
Nickel oxide sinter, Nickel matte, Nickel speiss, Ferro-nickel pig, Nickel sulfide concentrate, Mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP), Mixed sulfide precipitate (MSP)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 750120?
This code can be confused with unwrought nickel (7502xx) if the intermediate product is highly refined, or with nickel ores and concentrates (260400) if it's less processed. The distinction lies in the degree of metallurgical transformation.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 750120?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 750120 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($5.4B, 78% of world exports), Papua New Guinea (about $472M) and the Philippines ($409M). World exports came to about $6.9B, 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 750120?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 750120 in UN Comtrade data were China ($6.9B, 84% of world imports), Japan ($599M) and the United Kingdom ($413M). World imports came to about $8.2B, 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.
How is HS code 750120 structured?
HS code 750120 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (75) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 750120?
In Brazil, HS code 750120 is NCM 7501.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.