HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8104.20 – Magnesium; waste and scrap
HS code 8104.20 is the 6-digit subheading for magnesium, waste and scrap. It is used for magnesium alloy scrap, pure magnesium waste, magnesium turnings scrap, magnesium chips for recycling and spent magnesium anodes.
What HS 8104.20 covers
This code covers magnesium in its recycled forms, crucial for industries seeking cost-effective and sustainable raw materials. International trade in magnesium waste and scrap is driven by its demand in lightweight alloy production, particularly for automotive, aerospace, and electronics sectors. Major importers are countries with advanced manufacturing capabilities that utilize magnesium's unique properties like low density and high strength-to-weight ratio. Exporters often include nations with significant industrial output where magnesium-containing products reach end-of-life, or those with robust recycling infrastructure. Key things to know include the importance of purity and contamination levels, which significantly impact its value and end-use applications. The global push for circular economy principles further boosts the trade in these secondary materials, reducing reliance on primary magnesium extraction and its associated energy costs. Buyers look for specific grades and forms, such as turnings, chips, or ingots derived from scrap, to meet their metallurgical requirements.
- Covers
- Magnesium alloy scrap
- Pure magnesium waste
- Magnesium turnings scrap
- Magnesium chips for recycling
- Spent magnesium anodes
- Die-cast magnesium scrap
- Magnesium sheet offcuts
- Examples
- Automotive wheel scrap
- Laptop casing scrap
- Aerospace component waste
- Magnesium battery casing scrap
- Medical device magnesium waste
Codes often confused with 8104.20
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 810430 (Magnesium; raspings, turnings and granules, graded according to size, powders) if the scrap is already processed into specific forms, or with 810490 (Magnesium; articles n.e.c.) if the "waste" still resembles a functional article.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 810420, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 810420 in UN Comtrade data was the United Kingdom, with 31% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 55% 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 Kingdom $66M 31% of world exports
- 2 China $32M 15% of world exports
- 3 Canada $26M 12% of world exports
World total: $211M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $100M 55% of world imports
- 2 Czechia $22M 12% of world imports
- 3 Brazil $13M 7.3% of world imports
World total: $180M 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 8104.20
Brazil does not split HS 8104.20: its NCM code is 8104.20.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 81.04 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8104.20
What is HS code 810420?
HS code 810420 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Magnesium; waste and scrap. This code covers magnesium in its recycled forms, crucial for industries seeking cost-effective and sustainable raw materials. International trade in magnesium waste and scrap is driven by its demand in lightweight alloy production, particularly for automotive, aerospace, and electronics sectors. Major importers are countries with advanced manufacturing capabilities that utilize magnesium's unique properties like low density and high strength-to-weight ratio. Exporters often include nations with significant industrial output where magnesium-containing products reach end-of-life, or those with robust recycling infrastructure. Key things to know include the importance of purity and contamination levels, which significantly impact its value and end-use applications. The global push for circular economy principles further boosts the trade in these secondary materials, reducing reliance on primary magnesium extraction and its associated energy costs. Buyers look for specific grades and forms, such as turnings, chips, or ingots derived from scrap, to meet their metallurgical requirements.
What products fall under HS code 810420?
Magnesium alloy scrap, Pure magnesium waste, Magnesium turnings scrap, Magnesium chips for recycling, Spent magnesium anodes, Die-cast magnesium scrap, Magnesium sheet offcuts
What are common misclassifications for HS code 810420?
This code can be confused with 810430 (Magnesium; raspings, turnings and granules, graded according to size, powders) if the scrap is already processed into specific forms, or with 810490 (Magnesium; articles n.e.c.) if the "waste" still resembles a functional article.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 810420?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 810420 in UN Comtrade data were the United Kingdom ($66M, 31% of world exports), China ($32M) and Canada ($26M). World exports came to about $211M, 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 810420?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 810420 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($100M, 55% of world imports), Czechia ($22M) and Brazil ($13M). World imports came to about $180M, 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 810420 structured?
HS code 810420 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (81) 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 810420?
In Brazil, HS code 810420 is NCM 8104.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.