HS Code 78.04 – Lead; plates, sheets, strip and foil, lead powders and flakes

HS code 7804 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Lead; plates, sheets, strip and foil, lead powders and flakes. Heading 7804 encompasses lead in specific semi-manufactured forms, specifically plates, sheets, strip, foil, and lead powders and flakes. This classification covers lead that has undergone initial working processes beyond the unwrought stage (7801) but has not yet been transformed into complex finished articles (7806). The scope includes flat-rolled products of various thicknesses, used extensively for radiation shielding, roofing, soundproofing, and moisture barriers. Lead powders and flakes, often used in specialized coatings, ammunition primers, and battery paste, are also included. This heading is crucial for trade compliance as it differentiates these semi-finished products from raw lead and fully manufactured lead articles, impacting tariff rates and specific product regulations. Historically, lead in these forms has been indispensable for applications requiring high density, corrosion resistance, and malleability. It forms an intermediate stage within Chapter 78, bridging the gap between raw lead and final lead products, enabling a wide range of industrial and construction applications.

Lead sheets for radiation shielding, lead plates for X-ray protection, lead strip for sound insulation, lead foil for packaging, lead powder for industrial applications, lead flakes for specialized coatings, rolled lead sheets for roofing, cast lead plates, lead-lined plasterboard (where lead is primary), lead foil for moisture barriers, lead powder for ammunition primers, lead sheets for waterproofing, lead strip for stained glass, lead powder for anti-corrosion paints, lead flakes for battery paste, lead sheets for laboratory use, lead foil for electrical shielding, lead plates for chemical tanks, lead strip for vibration damping, lead powder for ceramics, lead flakes for counterweights, lead sheets for nuclear facilities, lead foil for art restoration, lead powder for metallurgical additives, lead strips for battery grids.

A common mistake is classifying lead articles that have been further worked into specific shapes or forms (e.g., lead pipes or specific castings) under 7804 when they should fall under the 'articles n.e.c.' heading 7806. Conversely, unwrought lead (7801) might be incorrectly identified as plates or sheets if it has a flat, cast appearance but hasn't undergone rolling or similar working. Additionally, lead alloys in these forms could be misclassified here if the lead content is not predominant, potentially belonging to other base metal headings. The distinction relies on whether the product is a general semi-manufacture or a specific, identifiable article.

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 7804 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($85M, 21% of world exports), Czechia ($70M) and the United Kingdom ($43M). World exports came to about $409M, 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.

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 7804 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($73M, 19% of world imports), France ($48M) and Malaysia ($40M). World imports came to about $380M, 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.

HS code 7804 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 78 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (78) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (04) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.