HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 7804.20 – Lead; powders and flakes
HS code 7804.20 is the 6-digit subheading for lead, powders and flakes. It is used for lead powder for battery paste, lead flakes for radiation shielding composites, lead powder for ammunition primers, lead powder for specialized solders and lead powder for friction materials.
What HS 7804.20 covers
This HS code covers lead in the form of powders and flakes. These finely divided forms of lead are specialized raw materials used in various industrial processes where a high surface area or specific particle size is required. Applications include the manufacture of certain types of batteries (e.g., lead-acid battery paste), pigments for paints and coatings (though less common due to environmental concerns), specialized lubricants, ammunition primers, and as a component in some solders or metallurgical preparations. Exporters are typically countries with advanced chemical and metallurgical processing industries capable of producing lead in these specific forms, such as China, the USA, and European nations. Importers are often manufacturers in the automotive, defense, and chemical sectors who require these specialized lead materials for their production lines. The trade is driven by niche industrial demands and technological advancements in material science.
- Covers
- Lead powder for battery paste
- Lead flakes for radiation shielding composites
- Lead powder for ammunition primers
- Lead powder for specialized solders
- Lead powder for friction materials
- Lead flakes for anti-corrosion coatings
- Examples
- Lead powder used by battery manufacturers (e.g., Exide, Johnson Controls)
- lead flakes for specialized industrial coatings
- lead powder for primer manufacturers (e.g., CCI, Federal)
Codes often confused with 7804.20
Common mistake. This code is distinct from unwrought lead (7801xx) and other semi-manufactured forms (78041x) because it specifically covers lead in powder or flake form. It should not be confused with lead compounds (Chapter 28) unless chemically combined.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 780420, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 780420 in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 34% 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 Australia $17M 42% of world exports
- 2 Belgium $10M 25% of world exports
- 3 Malaysia $2.9M 7.1% of world exports
World total: $41M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 South Korea $13M 34% of world imports
- 2 Albania* ~$5.7M 15% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Belgium $2.8M 7.5% of world imports
World total: $38M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 7804.20
Brazil does not split HS 7804.20: its NCM code is 7804.20.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 78.04 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 7804.20
What is HS code 780420?
HS code 780420 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Lead; powders and flakes. This HS code covers lead in the form of powders and flakes. These finely divided forms of lead are specialized raw materials used in various industrial processes where a high surface area or specific particle size is required. Applications include the manufacture of certain types of batteries (e.g., lead-acid battery paste), pigments for paints and coatings (though less common due to environmental concerns), specialized lubricants, ammunition primers, and as a component in some solders or metallurgical preparations. Exporters are typically countries with advanced chemical and metallurgical processing industries capable of producing lead in these specific forms, such as China, the USA, and European nations. Importers are often manufacturers in the automotive, defense, and chemical sectors who require these specialized lead materials for their production lines. The trade is driven by niche industrial demands and technological advancements in material science.
What products fall under HS code 780420?
Lead powder for battery paste, Lead flakes for radiation shielding composites, Lead powder for ammunition primers, Lead powder for specialized solders, Lead powder for friction materials, Lead flakes for anti-corrosion coatings
What are common misclassifications for HS code 780420?
This code is distinct from unwrought lead (7801xx) and other semi-manufactured forms (78041x) because it specifically covers lead in powder or flake form. It should not be confused with lead compounds (Chapter 28) unless chemically combined.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 780420?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 780420 in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($17M, 42% of world exports), Belgium ($10M) and Malaysia ($2.9M). World exports came to about $41M, 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 780420?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 780420 in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($13M, 34% of world imports), Albania (about $5.7M) and Belgium ($2.8M). World imports came to about $38M, 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 780420 structured?
HS code 780420 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (78) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (04) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 780420?
In Brazil, HS code 780420 is NCM 7804.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.