HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8112.21 – Chromium and articles thereof; unwrought chromium, powders
HS code 8112.21 is the 6-digit subheading for chromium and articles thereof, unwrought chromium, powders. It is used for unwrought chromium, chromium powder, chromium briquettes, chromium pellets and electrolytic chromium metal.
What HS 8112.21 covers
This HS code covers unwrought chromium and chromium powders, which are fundamental forms of this versatile metal in international trade. Chromium is highly valued for its hardness, corrosion resistance, and high melting point, making it essential in various industries. Unwrought chromium is primarily used in the production of specialized alloys, particularly stainless steel, where it imparts its characteristic corrosion resistance. Chromium powders find applications in thermal spraying, welding electrodes, and advanced ceramics. Major importers are countries with robust steel industries and advanced manufacturing sectors, such as China, India, Japan, and European nations. Exporters typically include countries rich in chromite ore, like South Africa, Kazakhstan, and Turkey, which process the ore into unwrought metal or powder. Key aspects of this trade include the strategic importance of chromium for industrial development, price fluctuations driven by global steel demand, and the energy-intensive nature of its production.
- Covers
- Unwrought chromium
- Chromium powder
- Chromium briquettes
- Chromium pellets
- Electrolytic chromium metal
- High-purity chromium
- Examples
Glencore's ferrochrome products (though this is unwrought chromium, not ferrochrome), Samancor Chrome's chromium metal, Outokumpu's chromium raw materials
Codes often confused with 8112.21
Common mistake. This code is for unwrought chromium and powders, distinct from ferro-chromium (720241-720249) which is an alloy of iron and chromium. It also differs from wrought chromium (811229) and waste/scrap (811222).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 811221, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 811221 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 41% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 27% 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 $177M 41% of world exports
- 2 France $143M 33% of world exports
- 3 Russia* ~$45M 10% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $437M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $138M 27% of world imports
- 2 Germany $76M 15% of world imports
- 3 Japan $48M 9.4% of world imports
World total: $517M 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 8112.21 2
Brazil splits HS 8112.21 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 81.12 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8112.21
What is HS code 811221?
HS code 811221 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Chromium and articles thereof; unwrought chromium, powders. This HS code covers unwrought chromium and chromium powders, which are fundamental forms of this versatile metal in international trade. Chromium is highly valued for its hardness, corrosion resistance, and high melting point, making it essential in various industries. Unwrought chromium is primarily used in the production of specialized alloys, particularly stainless steel, where it imparts its characteristic corrosion resistance. Chromium powders find applications in thermal spraying, welding electrodes, and advanced ceramics. Major importers are countries with robust steel industries and advanced manufacturing sectors, such as China, India, Japan, and European nations. Exporters typically include countries rich in chromite ore, like South Africa, Kazakhstan, and Turkey, which process the ore into unwrought metal or powder. Key aspects of this trade include the strategic importance of chromium for industrial development, price fluctuations driven by global steel demand, and the energy-intensive nature of its production.
What products fall under HS code 811221?
Unwrought chromium, Chromium powder, Chromium briquettes, Chromium pellets, Electrolytic chromium metal, High-purity chromium
What are common misclassifications for HS code 811221?
This code is for unwrought chromium and powders, distinct from ferro-chromium (720241-720249) which is an alloy of iron and chromium. It also differs from wrought chromium (811229) and waste/scrap (811222).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 811221?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 811221 in UN Comtrade data were China ($177M, 41% of world exports), France ($143M) and Russia (about $45M). World exports came to about $437M, 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 811221?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 811221 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($138M, 27% of world imports), Germany ($76M) and Japan ($48M). World imports came to about $517M, 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 811221 structured?
HS code 811221 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (81) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (12) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 811221?
Brazil splits HS code 811221 into 2 NCM codes: 8112.21.10 (Unwrought chromium), 8112.21.20 (Chromium powders). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.