HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8112.52 – Thallium; waste and scrap
HS code 8112.52 is the 6-digit subheading for thallium, waste and scrap. It is used for thallium-containing electronic scrap, thallium residue from refining, spent thallium catalysts, thallium-contaminated industrial waste and thallium alloy scrap.
What HS 8112.52 covers
This HS code specifically targets thallium in the form of waste and scrap. Given thallium's extreme toxicity and limited industrial applications, trade in its waste and scrap forms is highly specialized and heavily regulated. This material typically originates from manufacturing processes where thallium is used in small quantities, such as in the production of infrared detectors, specialized optical lenses, or from the recycling of medical imaging equipment. Importers are usually specialized recycling facilities or refiners equipped to safely process hazardous materials and recover valuable elements, often located in countries with stringent environmental regulations and advanced metallurgical capabilities, like Germany, Japan, or the USA. Exporters would be industries generating such waste, potentially globally. Key aspects of trade involve strict adherence to international hazardous waste conventions (e.g., Basel Convention), specialized packaging, and transport protocols to prevent environmental contamination and health risks. The economic value of thallium waste and scrap is primarily driven by the potential for recovery of the metal, but this is often outweighed by the high costs associated with safe handling and processing.
- Covers
- Thallium-containing electronic scrap
- Thallium residue from refining
- Spent thallium catalysts
- Thallium-contaminated industrial waste
- Thallium alloy scrap
- Thallium battery scrap
- Examples
- Umicore (specialty materials recycling)
- BASF (chemical waste management)
- Boliden (metal recycling)
- Materion (specialty materials recycling)
- Veolia (hazardous waste services)
Codes often confused with 8112.52
Common mistake. This code must be carefully distinguished from 811251 (unwrought thallium, powders) and 811259 (other wrought thallium articles), as it specifically covers materials designated for recycling or disposal, not primary forms or finished articles.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 811252, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 811252 in UN Comtrade data was Israel, with 100% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Norway, with 98% of world imports. Austria reports $415M of its chapter 81 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Israel $73K 100% of world exports
- 2 Malaysia $12 <0.1% of world exports
Austria reports $415M of its chapter 81 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $73K Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Norway $6K 98% of world imports
- 2 Croatia $58 1.0% of world imports
- 3 Latvia $35 0.6% of world imports
World total: $6K 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 8112.52
Brazil does not split HS 8112.52: its NCM code is 8112.52.00.
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 8112.52
What is HS code 811252?
HS code 811252 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Thallium; waste and scrap. This HS code specifically targets thallium in the form of waste and scrap. Given thallium's extreme toxicity and limited industrial applications, trade in its waste and scrap forms is highly specialized and heavily regulated. This material typically originates from manufacturing processes where thallium is used in small quantities, such as in the production of infrared detectors, specialized optical lenses, or from the recycling of medical imaging equipment. Importers are usually specialized recycling facilities or refiners equipped to safely process hazardous materials and recover valuable elements, often located in countries with stringent environmental regulations and advanced metallurgical capabilities, like Germany, Japan, or the USA. Exporters would be industries generating such waste, potentially globally. Key aspects of trade involve strict adherence to international hazardous waste conventions (e.g., Basel Convention), specialized packaging, and transport protocols to prevent environmental contamination and health risks. The economic value of thallium waste and scrap is primarily driven by the potential for recovery of the metal, but this is often outweighed by the high costs associated with safe handling and processing.
What products fall under HS code 811252?
Thallium-containing electronic scrap, Thallium residue from refining, Spent thallium catalysts, Thallium-contaminated industrial waste, Thallium alloy scrap, Thallium battery scrap
What are common misclassifications for HS code 811252?
This code must be carefully distinguished from 811251 (unwrought thallium, powders) and 811259 (other wrought thallium articles), as it specifically covers materials designated for recycling or disposal, not primary forms or finished articles.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 811252?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 811252 in UN Comtrade data were Israel ($73K, 100% of world exports) and Malaysia ($12). World exports came to about $73K, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Austria reports $415M of its chapter 81 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 811252?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 811252 in UN Comtrade data were Norway ($6K, 98% of world imports), Croatia ($58) and Latvia ($35). World imports came to about $6K, 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 811252 structured?
HS code 811252 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 (52) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 811252?
In Brazil, HS code 811252 is NCM 8112.52.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.