HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 81.02 – Molybdenum; articles thereof, including waste and scrap
What HS 81.02 covers
Heading 8102 encompasses Molybdenum and articles thereof, including waste and scrap, placing it within Section XV of the Harmonized System, which covers Base Metals and Articles of Base Metals. Molybdenum is a refractory metallic element known for its high melting point, strength, and corrosion resistance, making it invaluable in specialized industrial applications. This classification includes molybdenum in its raw forms such as powders, unwrought ingots, and billets, as well as semi-finished products like rods, bars, wire, plates, sheets, and foil. Furthermore, it covers articles made predominantly of molybdenum, ranging from industrial components to electrical parts, and crucially, waste and scrap for recycling. The scope is broad but specific to molybdenum, ensuring that its unique properties and applications are correctly identified for trade purposes. Accurate classification under 8102 is critical for importers and exporters due to its strategic importance in industries like aerospace, defense, and high-temperature metallurgy. It impacts duty rates, adherence to export controls (especially for high-tech applications), and compliance with environmental regulations for waste materials. Historically, molybdenum's demand has surged with advancements in steel alloys and superalloys, solidifying its role as a key industrial metal. Its placement in Section XV alongside other base metals signifies its fundamental material status, yet its dedicated heading highlights its distinct economic and technical significance compared to more common industrial metals.
- Covers
- Molybdenum powder
- Unwrought molybdenum ingots
- Molybdenum rods
- Molybdenum bars
- Molybdenum wire
- Molybdenum plates
- Molybdenum sheets
- Molybdenum foil
- Molybdenum tubes
- Molybdenum crucibles
- Molybdenum electrodes
- Molybdenum heating elements
- Molybdenum targets for sputtering
- Molybdenum electrical contacts
- Molybdenum catalysts
- Molybdenum lamp filaments
- Molybdenum furnace components
- Molybdenum alloy components for aerospace
- Spent molybdenum catalysts
- Molybdenum scrap from manufacturing
- Molybdenum waste from machining
- Molybdenum alloy welding rods
- Molybdenum heat shields
- Molybdenum sputtering targets
- Examples
A Chinese mining company exports unwrought molybdenum ingots to a German specialty steel manufacturer via the Suez Canal route, destined for use in high-strength tool steels for automotive applications. A US-based electronics firm imports molybdenum sputtering targets from Japan, shipped across the Pacific, to produce thin-film transistors for advanced display technologies. A South African scrap metal dealer ships molybdenum waste and scrap to a Korean refinery for recycling, transported by bulk carrier around the Cape of Good Hope. A Russian supplier exports molybdenum rods and bars to an Indian aerospace component manufacturer for use in jet engine parts, typically via a multi-modal route including sea freight through the Black Sea and Mediterranean.
Subheadings under 81.02 6
Codes often confused with 81.02
Common mistake. Traders often confuse molybdenum articles with those of other refractory metals like tungsten (HS 8101) or titanium (HS 8108), especially when dealing with alloys or specific industrial components. The key distinction lies in the predominant metal by weight. For waste and scrap, misclassification with general base metal scrap (e.g., Chapter 72 or 74) is common, overlooking the specific headings for refractory metals, which can lead to incorrect duty rates or non-compliance with waste import/export regulations. Additionally, molybdenum compounds might mistakenly be classified under chemical chapters instead of raw metal forms.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 8102, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 8102 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 34% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 15% 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 China $284M 34% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $125M 15% of world exports
- 3 Germany $91M 11% of world exports
World total: $826M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $165M 15% of world imports
- 2 United States $149M 14% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $148M 14% of world imports
World total: $1.1B 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 81.02
What is HS code 8102?
HS code 8102 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Molybdenum; articles thereof, including waste and scrap. Heading 8102 encompasses Molybdenum and articles thereof, including waste and scrap, placing it within Section XV of the Harmonized System, which covers Base Metals and Articles of Base Metals. Molybdenum is a refractory metallic element known for its high melting point, strength, and corrosion resistance, making it invaluable in specialized industrial applications. This classification includes molybdenum in its raw forms such as powders, unwrought ingots, and billets, as well as semi-finished products like rods, bars, wire, plates, sheets, and foil. Furthermore, it covers articles made predominantly of molybdenum, ranging from industrial components to electrical parts, and crucially, waste and scrap for recycling. The scope is broad but specific to molybdenum, ensuring that its unique properties and applications are correctly identified for trade purposes. Accurate classification under 8102 is critical for importers and exporters due to its strategic importance in industries like aerospace, defense, and high-temperature metallurgy. It impacts duty rates, adherence to export controls (especially for high-tech applications), and compliance with environmental regulations for waste materials. Historically, molybdenum's demand has surged with advancements in steel alloys and superalloys, solidifying its role as a key industrial metal. Its placement in Section XV alongside other base metals signifies its fundamental material status, yet its dedicated heading highlights its distinct economic and technical significance compared to more common industrial metals.
What products fall under HS code 8102?
Molybdenum powder, unwrought molybdenum ingots, molybdenum rods, molybdenum bars, molybdenum wire, molybdenum plates, molybdenum sheets, molybdenum foil, molybdenum tubes, molybdenum crucibles, molybdenum electrodes, molybdenum heating elements, molybdenum targets for sputtering, molybdenum electrical contacts, molybdenum catalysts, molybdenum lamp filaments, molybdenum furnace components, molybdenum alloy components for aerospace, spent molybdenum catalysts, molybdenum scrap from manufacturing, molybdenum waste from machining, molybdenum alloy welding rods, molybdenum heat shields, molybdenum sputtering targets
What are common misclassifications for HS code 8102?
Traders often confuse molybdenum articles with those of other refractory metals like tungsten (HS 8101) or titanium (HS 8108), especially when dealing with alloys or specific industrial components. The key distinction lies in the predominant metal by weight. For waste and scrap, misclassification with general base metal scrap (e.g., Chapter 72 or 74) is common, overlooking the specific headings for refractory metals, which can lead to incorrect duty rates or non-compliance with waste import/export regulations. Additionally, molybdenum compounds might mistakenly be classified under chemical chapters instead of raw metal forms.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 8102?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 8102 in UN Comtrade data were China ($284M, 34% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($125M) and Germany ($91M). World exports came to about $826M, 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 8102?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 8102 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($165M, 15% of world imports), the United States ($149M) and the United Kingdom ($148M). World imports came to about $1.1B, 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 8102 structured?
HS code 8102 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 81 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (81) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (02) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.