HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8112.92 – Gallium, germanium, indium, niobium (columbium) and vanadium; articles thereof, unwrought, including waste and scrap, powders
HS code 8112.92 is the 6-digit subheading for gallium, germanium, indium, niobium (columbium) and vanadium, articles thereof, unwrought, including waste and scrap, powders. It is used for gallium ingots, germanium powder, indium wire, niobium waste and vanadium scrap.
What HS 8112.92 covers
This comprehensive HS code groups several critical minor metals: gallium, germanium, indium, niobium (columbium), and vanadium, specifically covering their unwrought forms, powders, and waste and scrap. These elements are vital for high-tech industries due to their unique semiconductor, optical, and alloying properties. Gallium is crucial for semiconductors (LEDs, integrated circuits), germanium for fiber optics and infrared optics, indium for transparent conductive coatings (touchscreens, solar cells), niobium for high-strength low-alloy steels and superalloys, and vanadium for steel strengthening and catalysts. Major importers are countries with advanced electronics, aerospace, automotive, and optical industries, such as China, the USA, Japan, and Germany. Exporters are often countries with significant mining and refining capabilities for these metals, including China, Canada, Brazil, and Russia. Key considerations in trade include the strategic importance of these metals, their often complex supply chains (many are byproducts), and the increasing focus on recycling (waste and scrap) to ensure supply security and sustainability. Prices are sensitive to global technological demand and geopolitical factors.
- Covers
- Gallium ingots
- Germanium powder
- Indium wire
- Niobium waste
- Vanadium scrap
- Gallium arsenide wafers (unwrought)
- Indium tin oxide (ITO) powder
- Examples
- Sumitomo Chemical (gallium compounds)
- Umicore (germanium substrates)
- Indium Corporation (indium alloys)
- CBMM (niobium products)
- EVRAZ (vanadium products)
- Apple (device components)
- Samsung (device components)
Codes often confused with 8112.92
Common mistake. This code is broad, covering multiple elements and forms. It might be confused with 811299 if the articles are clearly wrought or finished, but this code specifically includes unwrought forms, powders, and waste/scrap for all listed metals.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 811292, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 811292 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 33% 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 $190M 33% of world exports
- 2 Germany $72M 13% of world exports
- 3 South Korea $56M 9.9% of world exports
World total: $567M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $209M 27% of world imports
- 2 China $142M 18% of world imports
- 3 Japan $98M 13% of world imports
World total: $779M 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 8112.92
Brazil does not split HS 8112.92: its NCM code is 8112.92.00.
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 8112.92
What is HS code 811292?
HS code 811292 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Gallium, germanium, indium, niobium (columbium) and vanadium; articles thereof, unwrought, including waste and scrap, powders. This comprehensive HS code groups several critical minor metals: gallium, germanium, indium, niobium (columbium), and vanadium, specifically covering their unwrought forms, powders, and waste and scrap. These elements are vital for high-tech industries due to their unique semiconductor, optical, and alloying properties. Gallium is crucial for semiconductors (LEDs, integrated circuits), germanium for fiber optics and infrared optics, indium for transparent conductive coatings (touchscreens, solar cells), niobium for high-strength low-alloy steels and superalloys, and vanadium for steel strengthening and catalysts. Major importers are countries with advanced electronics, aerospace, automotive, and optical industries, such as China, the USA, Japan, and Germany. Exporters are often countries with significant mining and refining capabilities for these metals, including China, Canada, Brazil, and Russia. Key considerations in trade include the strategic importance of these metals, their often complex supply chains (many are byproducts), and the increasing focus on recycling (waste and scrap) to ensure supply security and sustainability. Prices are sensitive to global technological demand and geopolitical factors.
What products fall under HS code 811292?
Gallium ingots, Germanium powder, Indium wire, Niobium waste, Vanadium scrap, Gallium arsenide wafers (unwrought), Indium tin oxide (ITO) powder
What are common misclassifications for HS code 811292?
This code is broad, covering multiple elements and forms. It might be confused with 811299 if the articles are clearly wrought or finished, but this code specifically includes unwrought forms, powders, and waste/scrap for all listed metals.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 811292?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 811292 in UN Comtrade data were China ($190M, 33% of world exports), Germany ($72M) and South Korea ($56M). World exports came to about $567M, 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 811292?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 811292 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($209M, 27% of world imports), China ($142M) and Japan ($98M). World imports came to about $779M, 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 811292 structured?
HS code 811292 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 (92) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 811292?
In Brazil, HS code 811292 is NCM 8112.92.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.