HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7503.00 – Nickel; waste and scrap
HS code 7503.00 is the 6-digit subheading for nickel, waste and scrap. It is used for stainless steel scrap (nickel-containing), nickel alloy scrap, pure nickel scrap, spent nickel catalysts and nickel plating anodes scrap.
What HS 7503.00 covers
This category covers nickel in its discarded or recycled forms, including manufacturing offcuts, used components, and end-of-life products containing nickel. It's a crucial part of the circular economy for nickel, providing a sustainable source of the metal for re-melting and refining. The trade in nickel waste and scrap is global, with major importers being countries with large secondary metallurgical industries and stainless steel producers, such as China, India, and South Korea. Exporters are typically industrialized nations with significant manufacturing output and robust collection infrastructure, including the United States, Germany, and Japan. Key factors in this trade include the purity and composition of the scrap, contamination levels, and global commodity prices. Environmental regulations regarding the transboundary movement of waste also play a significant role, requiring careful compliance from traders.
- Covers
- Stainless steel scrap (nickel-containing)
- Nickel alloy scrap
- Pure nickel scrap
- Spent nickel catalysts
- Nickel plating anodes scrap
- Electronic waste (nickel-containing)
- Battery scrap (nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride)
- Examples
- ELV (End-of-Life Vehicle) scrap
- Industrial nickel turnings
- Used Inconel parts
- Discarded nickel-cadmium batteries
Codes often confused with 7503.00
Common mistake. This code is distinct from unwrought primary nickel (7502xx) as it represents secondary material, and from nickel ores (260400) which are naturally occurring. The key is its status as discarded or recycled metal.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 750300, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 750300 in UN Comtrade data was the United Kingdom, with 15% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 29% 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 United Kingdom $181M 15% of world exports
- 2 Saudi Arabia $169M 14% of world exports
- 3 United States $137M 11% of world exports
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $350M 29% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $176M 15% of world imports
- 3 Germany $140M 12% of world imports
World total: $1.2B 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 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 code for 7503.00
Brazil does not split HS 7503.00: its NCM code is 7503.00.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 75.03 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 7503.00
What is HS code 750300?
HS code 750300 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Nickel; waste and scrap. This category covers nickel in its discarded or recycled forms, including manufacturing offcuts, used components, and end-of-life products containing nickel. It's a crucial part of the circular economy for nickel, providing a sustainable source of the metal for re-melting and refining. The trade in nickel waste and scrap is global, with major importers being countries with large secondary metallurgical industries and stainless steel producers, such as China, India, and South Korea. Exporters are typically industrialized nations with significant manufacturing output and robust collection infrastructure, including the United States, Germany, and Japan. Key factors in this trade include the purity and composition of the scrap, contamination levels, and global commodity prices. Environmental regulations regarding the transboundary movement of waste also play a significant role, requiring careful compliance from traders.
What products fall under HS code 750300?
Stainless steel scrap (nickel-containing), Nickel alloy scrap, Pure nickel scrap, Spent nickel catalysts, Nickel plating anodes scrap, Electronic waste (nickel-containing), Battery scrap (nickel-cadmium, nickel-metal hydride)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 750300?
This code is distinct from unwrought primary nickel (7502xx) as it represents secondary material, and from nickel ores (260400) which are naturally occurring. The key is its status as discarded or recycled metal.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 750300?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 750300 in UN Comtrade data were the United Kingdom ($181M, 15% of world exports), Saudi Arabia ($169M) and the United States ($137M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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 750300?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 750300 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($350M, 29% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($176M) and Germany ($140M). World imports came to about $1.2B, 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 750300 structured?
HS code 750300 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (75) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (03) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 750300?
In Brazil, HS code 750300 is NCM 7503.00.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.