HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8112.31 – Hafnium and articles thereof; unwrought, powders, waste and scrap
HS code 8112.31 is the 6-digit subheading for hafnium and articles thereof, unwrought, powders, waste and scrap. It is used for unwrought hafnium, hafnium powder, hafnium ingots, hafnium sponge and hafnium waste.
What HS 8112.31 covers
This HS code groups together unwrought hafnium, hafnium powders, and hafnium waste and scrap. Hafnium is a rare and highly specialized metal, primarily known for its excellent neutron absorption cross-section, making it critical for control rods in nuclear reactors. It also possesses high corrosion resistance and a very high melting point, finding applications in superalloys, plasma cutting electrodes, and microprocessors. Major importers are countries with advanced nuclear energy programs or high-tech industries, such as the United States, France, Japan, and China. Exporters are typically nations with facilities for separating hafnium from zirconium (with which it naturally co-occurs) and processing it, like France and the United States. Key considerations in this trade include its strategic importance, the complex and costly separation process from zirconium, and the strict regulatory controls due to its nuclear applications. The inclusion of waste and scrap highlights the value placed on recycling this rare metal.
- Covers
- Unwrought hafnium
- Hafnium powder
- Hafnium ingots
- Hafnium sponge
- Hafnium waste
- Hafnium scrap
- Hafnium turnings
- Examples
- Framatome's hafnium for nuclear applications
- ATI's hafnium products
- specialized metal recyclers handling hafnium scrap
Codes often confused with 8112.31
Common mistake. This code is unique in combining unwrought, powders, and waste/scrap for hafnium. It is crucial not to confuse it with wrought hafnium (811239) which covers processed forms.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 811231, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 811231 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 45% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 45% 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 Germany $106M 45% of world exports
- 2 China $43M 18% of world exports
- 3 United Kingdom $26M 11% of world exports
World total: $236M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $115M 45% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $58M 23% of world imports
- 3 Germany $54M 21% of world imports
World total: $255M 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 8112.31
Brazil does not split HS 8112.31: its NCM code is 8112.31.00.
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 8112.31
What is HS code 811231?
HS code 811231 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Hafnium and articles thereof; unwrought, powders, waste and scrap. This HS code groups together unwrought hafnium, hafnium powders, and hafnium waste and scrap. Hafnium is a rare and highly specialized metal, primarily known for its excellent neutron absorption cross-section, making it critical for control rods in nuclear reactors. It also possesses high corrosion resistance and a very high melting point, finding applications in superalloys, plasma cutting electrodes, and microprocessors. Major importers are countries with advanced nuclear energy programs or high-tech industries, such as the United States, France, Japan, and China. Exporters are typically nations with facilities for separating hafnium from zirconium (with which it naturally co-occurs) and processing it, like France and the United States. Key considerations in this trade include its strategic importance, the complex and costly separation process from zirconium, and the strict regulatory controls due to its nuclear applications. The inclusion of waste and scrap highlights the value placed on recycling this rare metal.
What products fall under HS code 811231?
Unwrought hafnium, Hafnium powder, Hafnium ingots, Hafnium sponge, Hafnium waste, Hafnium scrap, Hafnium turnings
What are common misclassifications for HS code 811231?
This code is unique in combining unwrought, powders, and waste/scrap for hafnium. It is crucial not to confuse it with wrought hafnium (811239) which covers processed forms.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 811231?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 811231 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($106M, 45% of world exports), China ($43M) and the United Kingdom ($26M). World exports came to about $236M, 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 811231?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 811231 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($115M, 45% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($58M) and Germany ($54M). World imports came to about $255M, 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 811231 structured?
HS code 811231 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 (31) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 811231?
In Brazil, HS code 811231 is NCM 8112.31.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.