HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 75.06 – Nickel; plates, sheets, strip and foil
What HS 75.06 covers
Heading 7506 of the Harmonized System covers nickel in flat-rolled forms: plates, sheets, strip, and foil. This classification is critical for trade in nickel products that are wider and flatter than those found in 7505, representing another key stage in the semi-fabrication process. It encompasses both pure nickel and nickel alloys where nickel predominates by weight. The distinctions within this heading often depend on thickness and width; plates are generally thicker, sheets are thinner, strip is typically narrower than sheets, and foil is the thinnest. Surface treatments, such as polishing or cladding, also play a role in sub-classification but the core identity remains the flat-rolled form. This classification is paramount for trade compliance, affecting duties, import/export restrictions, and adherence to specific material standards required for critical applications. Historically, nickel's unique properties—corrosion resistance, high-temperature strength, and ductility—have made these flat forms indispensable for industries ranging from chemical processing and power generation to electronics and architecture. As part of Chapter 75, this heading logically follows the more basic forms of nickel and precedes the classification of more complex articles, providing a clear pathway for materials used in fabrication.
- Covers
- Pure nickel sheets for medical implants
- Nickel alloy plates for heat exchangers
- Cold-rolled nickel strip for battery connectors
- Nickel-chromium alloy foil for heating elements
- Perforated nickel sheets
- Polished nickel plates for architectural use
- Nickel-copper alloy strip for marine applications
- Etched nickel foil
- Nickel-iron alloy sheets
- Clad nickel plates
- Annealed nickel strip
- Nickel-molybdenum alloy plates for chemical reactors
- Nickel-cobalt alloy foil
- Rolled nickel sheets
- High-purity nickel strip for electronics
- Nickel-based superalloy plates for aerospace
- Nickel-silver alloy sheets
- Nickel-titanium alloy foil for specialized springs
- Thin gauge nickel strip
- Deep drawing quality nickel sheets
- Nickel anode plates
- Nickel-zinc alloy strip
- Nickel-vanadium alloy plates
- Textured nickel sheets
- Nickel-aluminum alloy foil
- Examples
An American manufacturer of advanced battery systems imports high-purity nickel strip (7506) from South Korea for use as current collectors and intercell connectors. The precise thickness and excellent conductivity of the strip are vital for battery performance, with shipments often expedited via air freight. In another instance, a Saudi Arabian petrochemical company imports large nickel alloy plates (7506) from Germany to construct corrosion-resistant linings for reactors and storage tanks. These heavy-duty plates are transported by ocean vessel through the Suez Canal route. Additionally, a Chinese consumer electronics giant sources ultra-thin nickel-chromium alloy foil (7506) from Japan for flexible heating elements in wearable devices. The thinness and heat resistance are critical, and these high-value, low-volume shipments typically utilize air cargo.
Subheadings under 75.06 2
Codes often confused with 75.06
Common mistake. A common error for Heading 7506 is confusing these flat-rolled products with unwrought nickel (7501), especially if they are irregularly shaped ingots or slabs. Another frequent mistake is classifying nickel-plated steel sheets under 7506; these should be classified under Chapter 72 (iron and steel) as the base metal determines the classification. Misclassification can also occur with other base metal sheets, such as stainless steel (7219, 7220) or copper (7409), if the predominant metal is not correctly identified as nickel. Furthermore, classifying highly processed, cut-to-shape articles that are ready for immediate use (e.g., stamped battery terminals) as strip or sheets can be incorrect, as these might fall under 7508 or even other chapters if they are parts of machinery.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 7506, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 7506 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 11% 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 $548M 28% of world exports
- 2 United States $483M 25% of world exports
- 3 Japan $235M 12% of world exports
World total: $1.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $232M 11% of world imports
- 2 Austria $197M 9.5% of world imports
- 3 United States $184M 8.9% of world imports
World total: $2.1B 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 75.06
What is HS code 7506?
HS code 7506 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Nickel; plates, sheets, strip and foil. Heading 7506 of the Harmonized System covers nickel in flat-rolled forms: plates, sheets, strip, and foil. This classification is critical for trade in nickel products that are wider and flatter than those found in 7505, representing another key stage in the semi-fabrication process. It encompasses both pure nickel and nickel alloys where nickel predominates by weight. The distinctions within this heading often depend on thickness and width; plates are generally thicker, sheets are thinner, strip is typically narrower than sheets, and foil is the thinnest. Surface treatments, such as polishing or cladding, also play a role in sub-classification but the core identity remains the flat-rolled form. This classification is paramount for trade compliance, affecting duties, import/export restrictions, and adherence to specific material standards required for critical applications. Historically, nickel's unique properties—corrosion resistance, high-temperature strength, and ductility—have made these flat forms indispensable for industries ranging from chemical processing and power generation to electronics and architecture. As part of Chapter 75, this heading logically follows the more basic forms of nickel and precedes the classification of more complex articles, providing a clear pathway for materials used in fabrication.
What products fall under HS code 7506?
Pure nickel sheets for medical implants, Nickel alloy plates for heat exchangers, Cold-rolled nickel strip for battery connectors, Nickel-chromium alloy foil for heating elements, Perforated nickel sheets, Polished nickel plates for architectural use, Nickel-copper alloy strip for marine applications, Etched nickel foil, Nickel-iron alloy sheets, Clad nickel plates, Annealed nickel strip, Nickel-molybdenum alloy plates for chemical reactors, Nickel-cobalt alloy foil, Rolled nickel sheets, High-purity nickel strip for electronics, Nickel-based superalloy plates for aerospace, Nickel-silver alloy sheets, Nickel-titanium alloy foil for specialized springs, Thin gauge nickel strip, Deep drawing quality nickel sheets, Nickel anode plates, Nickel-zinc alloy strip, Nickel-vanadium alloy plates, Textured nickel sheets, Nickel-aluminum alloy foil
What are common misclassifications for HS code 7506?
A common error for Heading 7506 is confusing these flat-rolled products with unwrought nickel (7501), especially if they are irregularly shaped ingots or slabs. Another frequent mistake is classifying nickel-plated steel sheets under 7506; these should be classified under Chapter 72 (iron and steel) as the base metal determines the classification. Misclassification can also occur with other base metal sheets, such as stainless steel (7219, 7220) or copper (7409), if the predominant metal is not correctly identified as nickel. Furthermore, classifying highly processed, cut-to-shape articles that are ready for immediate use (e.g., stamped battery terminals) as strip or sheets can be incorrect, as these might fall under 7508 or even other chapters if they are parts of machinery.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 7506?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 7506 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($548M, 28% of world exports), the United States ($483M) and Japan ($235M). World exports came to about $1.9B, 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 7506?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 7506 in UN Comtrade data were China ($232M, 11% of world imports), Austria ($197M) and the United States ($184M). World imports came to about $2.1B, 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 7506 structured?
HS code 7506 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 75 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (75) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (06) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.