HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8105.20 – Cobalt; mattes and other intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy, unwrought cobalt, powders
HS code 8105.20 is the 6-digit subheading for cobalt, mattes and other intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy, unwrought cobalt, powders. It is used for cobalt cathodes, cobalt briquettes, cobalt powder (electrolytic), cobalt mattes and cobalt oxide (intermediate).
What HS 8105.20 covers
This HS code encompasses the primary forms of cobalt traded internationally, including unwrought cobalt, powders, and intermediate products from its metallurgical processing like mattes. Cobalt is a critical strategic metal, essential for high-tech industries due to its use in rechargeable batteries (especially for electric vehicles and portable electronics), superalloys for aerospace, and catalysts. International trade is dominated by countries with significant cobalt mining operations or advanced refining capabilities. Major importers are nations with robust manufacturing sectors in electronics, automotive, and aerospace, seeking raw materials for their production lines. Exporters are typically countries rich in cobalt ore or those with sophisticated processing plants. Key aspects of this trade include the purity of the cobalt, its form (e.g., briquettes, cathodes, powder), and ethical sourcing considerations, given that a significant portion of global cobalt supply originates from regions with complex supply chain issues. The market is highly sensitive to global demand for electric vehicles and consumer electronics.
- Covers
- Cobalt cathodes
- Cobalt briquettes
- Cobalt powder (electrolytic)
- Cobalt mattes
- Cobalt oxide (intermediate)
- Cobalt granules
- Unwrought cobalt ingots
- Cobalt slugs
- Examples
- Glencore cobalt cathodes
- Umicore cobalt powder
- Sumitomo cobalt briquettes
- Tesla battery-grade cobalt
- Samsung SDI cobalt raw material
Codes often confused with 8105.20
Common mistake. This code might be confused with 282200 (Cobalt oxides and hydroxides; commercial cobalt oxides) if the intermediate product is primarily an oxide, or with 810530 (Cobalt; waste and scrap) if the unwrought forms are considered "scrap" by mistake.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 810520, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 810520 in UN Comtrade data was the DR Congo, with about 44% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 59% 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 DR Congo* ~$1.9B 44% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 China $499M 12% of world exports
- 3 Canada $333M 7.9% of world exports
World total: $4.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $2.2B 59% of world imports
- 2 United States $397M 11% of world imports
- 3 Japan $133M 3.6% of world imports
World total: $3.7B 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 codes for 8105.20 4
Brazil splits HS 8105.20 into 4 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8105.20.10 Unwrought cobaltEm formas brutas
- 8105.20.2 PowdersPós Group
- 8105.20.21 Cobalt-chromium-tungsten (stellite) powdersDe ligas à base de cobalto-cromo-tungstênio (volfrâmio) (estelites)
- 8105.20.29 Other cobalt powdersOutros
- 8105.20.90 Cobalt mattes and other intermediate productsOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 81.05 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8105.20
What is HS code 810520?
HS code 810520 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cobalt; mattes and other intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy, unwrought cobalt, powders. This HS code encompasses the primary forms of cobalt traded internationally, including unwrought cobalt, powders, and intermediate products from its metallurgical processing like mattes. Cobalt is a critical strategic metal, essential for high-tech industries due to its use in rechargeable batteries (especially for electric vehicles and portable electronics), superalloys for aerospace, and catalysts. International trade is dominated by countries with significant cobalt mining operations or advanced refining capabilities. Major importers are nations with robust manufacturing sectors in electronics, automotive, and aerospace, seeking raw materials for their production lines. Exporters are typically countries rich in cobalt ore or those with sophisticated processing plants. Key aspects of this trade include the purity of the cobalt, its form (e.g., briquettes, cathodes, powder), and ethical sourcing considerations, given that a significant portion of global cobalt supply originates from regions with complex supply chain issues. The market is highly sensitive to global demand for electric vehicles and consumer electronics.
What products fall under HS code 810520?
Cobalt cathodes, Cobalt briquettes, Cobalt powder (electrolytic), Cobalt mattes, Cobalt oxide (intermediate), Cobalt granules, Unwrought cobalt ingots, Cobalt slugs
What are common misclassifications for HS code 810520?
This code might be confused with 282200 (Cobalt oxides and hydroxides; commercial cobalt oxides) if the intermediate product is primarily an oxide, or with 810530 (Cobalt; waste and scrap) if the unwrought forms are considered "scrap" by mistake.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 810520?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 810520 in UN Comtrade data were the DR Congo (about $1.9B, 44% of world exports), China ($499M) and Canada ($333M). World exports came to about $4.2B, 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 810520?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 810520 in UN Comtrade data were China ($2.2B, 59% of world imports), the United States ($397M) and Japan ($133M). World imports came to about $3.7B, 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 810520 structured?
HS code 810520 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (81) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) 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 810520?
Brazil splits HS code 810520 into 4 NCM codes: 8105.20.10 (Unwrought cobalt), 8105.20.21 (Cobalt-chromium-tungsten (stellite) powders), 8105.20.29 (Other cobalt powders), 8105.20.90 (Cobalt mattes and other intermediate products). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.