HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7802.00 – Lead; waste and scrap
HS code 7802.00 is the 6-digit subheading for lead, waste and scrap. It is used for used lead-acid batteries, lead dross, lead residues, lead battery plates and scrap lead pipes.
What HS 7802.00 covers
This HS code specifically covers lead in the form of waste and scrap, which is a critical component of the global circular economy for lead. This includes used lead-acid batteries, lead dross, lead residues, and other discarded lead materials that are destined for recycling and secondary refining. The trade in lead waste and scrap is driven by the economic and environmental benefits of recycling, as it reduces the need for primary mining and lowers energy consumption. Major exporters are often countries with large industrial bases and high consumption of lead products, generating significant amounts of scrap, such as the USA, Germany, and Japan. Importers are typically nations with advanced secondary lead refining capabilities, like South Korea, India, and China, which process this scrap into refined lead for new products. Environmental regulations and international agreements on hazardous waste also heavily influence this trade.
- Covers
- Used lead-acid batteries
- Lead dross
- Lead residues
- Lead battery plates
- Scrap lead pipes
- Lead wheel weights (scrap)
- Spent lead ammunition
- Examples
- Used car batteries
- industrial lead battery scrap
- lead flashing scrap from construction
- lead weights from tire shops
- lead dross from smelting operations
Codes often confused with 7802.00
Common mistake. This code should not be confused with unwrought lead (7801xx) or lead articles (780600), as it specifically refers to materials intended for recycling. The key is its "waste and scrap" nature.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 780200, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 780200 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 15% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 56% 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 States $112M 15% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $95M 12% of world exports
- 3 France $77M 10% of world exports
World total: $769M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $405M 56% of world imports
- 2 Belgium $71M 9.7% of world imports
- 3 Spain $55M 7.6% of world imports
World total: $727M 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 7802.00
Brazil does not split HS 7802.00: its NCM code is 7802.00.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 78.02 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 7802.00
What is HS code 780200?
HS code 780200 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Lead; waste and scrap. This HS code specifically covers lead in the form of waste and scrap, which is a critical component of the global circular economy for lead. This includes used lead-acid batteries, lead dross, lead residues, and other discarded lead materials that are destined for recycling and secondary refining. The trade in lead waste and scrap is driven by the economic and environmental benefits of recycling, as it reduces the need for primary mining and lowers energy consumption. Major exporters are often countries with large industrial bases and high consumption of lead products, generating significant amounts of scrap, such as the USA, Germany, and Japan. Importers are typically nations with advanced secondary lead refining capabilities, like South Korea, India, and China, which process this scrap into refined lead for new products. Environmental regulations and international agreements on hazardous waste also heavily influence this trade.
What products fall under HS code 780200?
Used lead-acid batteries, Lead dross, Lead residues, Lead battery plates, Scrap lead pipes, Lead wheel weights (scrap), Spent lead ammunition
What are common misclassifications for HS code 780200?
This code should not be confused with unwrought lead (7801xx) or lead articles (780600), as it specifically refers to materials intended for recycling. The key is its "waste and scrap" nature.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 780200?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 780200 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($112M, 15% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($95M) and France ($77M). World exports came to about $769M, 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 780200?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 780200 in UN Comtrade data were India ($405M, 56% of world imports), Belgium ($71M) and Spain ($55M). World imports came to about $727M, 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 780200 structured?
HS code 780200 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (78) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) 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 780200?
In Brazil, HS code 780200 is NCM 7802.00.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.