HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 76.12 – Aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes etc (including rigid, collapsible tubular containers), for materials other than compressed, liquefied gas, 300l capacity or less, lined, heat-insulated or not
What HS 76.12 covers
Heading 7612 encompasses a wide range of aluminium containers, including casks, drums, cans, boxes, and rigid or collapsible tubular containers, specifically designed for holding materials other than compressed or liquefied gas. A crucial boundary for this classification is the capacity limit of 300 liters or less. These containers may or may not be lined or heat-insulated, allowing for versatility in their application. This heading is vital in international trade for the packaging of food, beverages, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, where aluminium's properties like lightness, corrosion resistance, and recyclability are highly valued. Key sub-categories include beverage cans, food tins, aerosol cans (empty, non-gas), and various types of tubes for pastes and creams. Proper classification under 7612 ensures compliance with import duties, packaging regulations, and safety standards, which are essential for product integrity and consumer safety across global supply chains. Historically, aluminium packaging has grown significantly due to its sustainability credentials and efficiency in transport. As part of Chapter 76, which covers 'Aluminium and articles thereof,' this heading specifically addresses finished articles of aluminium used for storage and transport, distinct from raw forms or other specialized applications.
- Covers
- Aluminium beverage cans
- Aluminium food tins
- Empty cosmetic tubes
- Pharmaceutical bottles (small)
- Small chemical drums (empty)
- Paint cans
- Aerosol cans (empty, non-gas)
- Collapsible tubes for toothpaste
- Aluminium boxes for electronics
- Tea caddies
- Spice tins
- Sample containers
- Industrial lubricant cans (empty)
- Battery casings (empty)
- Metal tins for confectionery
- Rigid tubular containers for glues
- Small fuel cans (empty)
- Medical specimen containers
- Custom industrial packaging
- Aluminium water bottles (empty)
- Aluminium oil cans
- Aluminium storage canisters
- Aluminium first-aid boxes
- Aluminium laboratory containers.
- Examples
A German beverage company imports millions of empty aluminium beer cans from China via bulk sea freight to its bottling plants, leveraging efficient Asian manufacturing and global shipping routes. A US pharmaceutical firm exports small, sterile aluminium tubes for ointments to Mexico, utilizing USMCA trade benefits for reduced tariffs and streamlined customs processes. An Indian food processor imports specialized lined aluminium food cans from Thailand for packaging ready-to-eat meals, shipped through Southeast Asian maritime routes. A cosmetics brand in France sources collapsible aluminium tubes for hand cream from Italy, benefiting from the seamless logistics and customs within the European Union.
Subheadings under 76.12 2
Codes often confused with 76.12
Common mistake. Common misclassifications for 7612 include confusing it with 7613, which is specifically for containers of compressed or liquefied gas. The 'non-gas' and '300L capacity or less' stipulations are critical. Traders might also incorrectly classify composite containers, where aluminium is not the predominant material, under this heading, potentially leading to classification under Chapter 39 (plastics) or Chapter 48 (paper/cardboard). Another error is classifying articles that are clearly not containers, or those exceeding the capacity limit, under the residual heading 7616. Always verify the material, primary function, and capacity to ensure accurate classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 7612, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 7612 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 11% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 7.8% 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 $923M 11% of world exports
- 2 United States $834M 10% of world exports
- 3 Czechia $615M 7.5% of world exports
World total: $8.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $637M 7.8% of world imports
- 2 Canada $620M 7.6% of world imports
- 3 France $455M 5.6% of world imports
World total: $8.1B 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.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product falls under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). Importers to the EU must declare embedded carbon emissions and purchase CBAM certificates.
Questions about HS 76.12
What is HS code 7612?
HS code 7612 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Aluminium casks, drums, cans, boxes etc (including rigid, collapsible tubular containers), for materials other than compressed, liquefied gas, 300l capacity or less, lined, heat-insulated or not. Heading 7612 encompasses a wide range of aluminium containers, including casks, drums, cans, boxes, and rigid or collapsible tubular containers, specifically designed for holding materials other than compressed or liquefied gas. A crucial boundary for this classification is the capacity limit of 300 liters or less. These containers may or may not be lined or heat-insulated, allowing for versatility in their application. This heading is vital in international trade for the packaging of food, beverages, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, where aluminium's properties like lightness, corrosion resistance, and recyclability are highly valued. Key sub-categories include beverage cans, food tins, aerosol cans (empty, non-gas), and various types of tubes for pastes and creams. Proper classification under 7612 ensures compliance with import duties, packaging regulations, and safety standards, which are essential for product integrity and consumer safety across global supply chains. Historically, aluminium packaging has grown significantly due to its sustainability credentials and efficiency in transport. As part of Chapter 76, which covers 'Aluminium and articles thereof,' this heading specifically addresses finished articles of aluminium used for storage and transport, distinct from raw forms or other specialized applications.
What products fall under HS code 7612?
Aluminium beverage cans, aluminium food tins, empty cosmetic tubes, pharmaceutical bottles (small), small chemical drums (empty), paint cans, aerosol cans (empty, non-gas), collapsible tubes for toothpaste, aluminium boxes for electronics, tea caddies, spice tins, sample containers, industrial lubricant cans (empty), battery casings (empty), metal tins for confectionery, rigid tubular containers for glues, small fuel cans (empty), medical specimen containers, custom industrial packaging, aluminium water bottles (empty), aluminium oil cans, aluminium storage canisters, aluminium first-aid boxes, aluminium laboratory containers.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 7612?
Common misclassifications for 7612 include confusing it with 7613, which is specifically for containers of compressed or liquefied gas. The 'non-gas' and '300L capacity or less' stipulations are critical. Traders might also incorrectly classify composite containers, where aluminium is not the predominant material, under this heading, potentially leading to classification under Chapter 39 (plastics) or Chapter 48 (paper/cardboard). Another error is classifying articles that are clearly not containers, or those exceeding the capacity limit, under the residual heading 7616. Always verify the material, primary function, and capacity to ensure accurate classification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 7612?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 7612 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($923M, 11% of world exports), the United States ($834M) and Czechia ($615M). World exports 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 7612?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 7612 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($637M, 7.8% of world imports), Canada ($620M) and France ($455M). World imports came to about $8.1B, 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 7612 structured?
HS code 7612 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 76 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (76) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (12) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.