HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8112.61 – Cadmium; waste and scrap
HS code 8112.61 is the 6-digit subheading for cadmium, waste and scrap. It is used for spent NiCd batteries, cadmium-plated scrap metal, cadmium-containing pigment waste, cadmium alloy scrap and cadmium dust from industrial processes.
What HS 8112.61 covers
This HS code specifically covers cadmium in the form of waste and scrap. Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal, and its use has been significantly restricted in many applications due to environmental and health concerns. However, it still finds use in certain specialized batteries (NiCd), pigments, coatings, and solar cells. Consequently, cadmium waste and scrap primarily originate from the recycling of these products, particularly spent NiCd batteries, or from industrial processes where cadmium is a byproduct or contaminant. International trade in cadmium waste and scrap is heavily regulated, often falling under hazardous waste conventions. Importers are typically specialized recycling and refining facilities equipped to safely process and recover cadmium, or separate it from other metals, often located in countries with advanced environmental technologies and strict regulations, such as Germany, Belgium, or Japan. Exporters are industries and waste management companies globally. Key considerations include the high costs of safe handling, transport, and processing, as well as the fluctuating demand for recycled cadmium, which is influenced by environmental policies and the availability of primary cadmium.
- Covers
- Spent NiCd batteries
- Cadmium-plated scrap metal
- Cadmium-containing pigment waste
- Cadmium alloy scrap
- Cadmium dust from industrial processes
- Cadmium-containing electronic waste
- Examples
- Umicore (battery recycling)
- Recyclex (metal recycling)
- Accurec (battery recycling)
- Boliden (metal recycling)
- Glencore (recycling services)
Codes often confused with 8112.61
Common mistake. This code should not be confused with 811269 (cadmium, other than waste and scrap), which covers primary cadmium forms and manufactured articles. The distinction is crucial for regulatory compliance regarding hazardous waste.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 811261, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 811261 in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 80% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 80% 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 South Korea $1.1M 80% of world exports
- 2 Germany $132K 9.5% of world exports
- 3 Japan $70K 5.0% of world exports
World total: $1.4M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $83K 80% of world imports
- 2 Spain $12K 12% of world imports
- 3 Guyana* ~$5K 4.6% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $104K 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 code for 8112.61
Brazil does not split HS 8112.61: its NCM code is 8112.61.00.
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 8112.61
What is HS code 811261?
HS code 811261 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cadmium; waste and scrap. This HS code specifically covers cadmium in the form of waste and scrap. Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal, and its use has been significantly restricted in many applications due to environmental and health concerns. However, it still finds use in certain specialized batteries (NiCd), pigments, coatings, and solar cells. Consequently, cadmium waste and scrap primarily originate from the recycling of these products, particularly spent NiCd batteries, or from industrial processes where cadmium is a byproduct or contaminant. International trade in cadmium waste and scrap is heavily regulated, often falling under hazardous waste conventions. Importers are typically specialized recycling and refining facilities equipped to safely process and recover cadmium, or separate it from other metals, often located in countries with advanced environmental technologies and strict regulations, such as Germany, Belgium, or Japan. Exporters are industries and waste management companies globally. Key considerations include the high costs of safe handling, transport, and processing, as well as the fluctuating demand for recycled cadmium, which is influenced by environmental policies and the availability of primary cadmium.
What products fall under HS code 811261?
Spent NiCd batteries, Cadmium-plated scrap metal, Cadmium-containing pigment waste, Cadmium alloy scrap, Cadmium dust from industrial processes, Cadmium-containing electronic waste
What are common misclassifications for HS code 811261?
This code should not be confused with 811269 (cadmium, other than waste and scrap), which covers primary cadmium forms and manufactured articles. The distinction is crucial for regulatory compliance regarding hazardous waste.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 811261?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 811261 in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($1.1M, 80% of world exports), Germany ($132K) and Japan ($70K). World exports came to about $1.4M, 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 811261?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 811261 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($83K, 80% of world imports), Spain ($12K) and Guyana (about $5K). World imports came to about $104K, 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 811261 structured?
HS code 811261 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 (61) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 811261?
In Brazil, HS code 811261 is NCM 8112.61.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.