HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8454.20 – Ingot moulds and ladles; of a kind used in metallurgy or in metal foundries
HS code 8454.20 is the 6-digit subheading for ingot moulds and ladles, of a kind used in metallurgy or in metal foundries. It is used for steel ingot moulds, cast iron ingot moulds, bottom pouring ladles, top pouring ladles and transfer ladles.
What HS 8454.20 covers
This category includes specialized ingot moulds and ladles, which are indispensable tools in the metallurgical industry and metal foundries. Ingot moulds are used to cast molten metal into ingots, which serve as an intermediate product for further processing, while ladles are crucial for the safe and efficient transport and pouring of molten metal within a foundry or steel plant. These items are engineered to withstand extreme temperatures, thermal shock, and corrosive environments. Importers are typically steel producers, non-ferrous metal foundries, and specialized casting companies worldwide, essential for their primary metal shaping and handling operations. Exporters are often manufacturers of heavy-duty foundry equipment, refractory products, and specialized casting tools. The trade in these items is fundamental to the global production of metals.
- Covers
- Steel ingot moulds
- Cast iron ingot moulds
- Bottom pouring ladles
- Top pouring ladles
- Transfer ladles
- Treatment ladles
- Tundish ladles
- Slag ladles
- Examples
- Vesuvius tundish
- RHI Magnesita refractory ladles
- Nippon Steel ingot moulds
- SMS Group ladles
Codes often confused with 8454.20
Common mistake. Might be confused with general metal containers (7310) or other foundry equipment (845430), but 845420 is specific to *ingot moulds and ladles* designed for molten metal handling.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 845420, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 845420 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 47% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 13% 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 $95M 47% of world exports
- 2 Poland $31M 15% of world exports
- 3 Germany $13M 6.6% of world exports
World total: $204M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Indonesia $34M 13% of world imports
- 2 Mexico $22M 8.4% of world imports
- 3 Italy $17M 6.4% of world imports
World total: $259M 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 codes for 8454.20 2
Brazil splits HS 8454.20 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.54 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8454.20
What is HS code 845420?
HS code 845420 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Ingot moulds and ladles; of a kind used in metallurgy or in metal foundries. This category includes specialized ingot moulds and ladles, which are indispensable tools in the metallurgical industry and metal foundries. Ingot moulds are used to cast molten metal into ingots, which serve as an intermediate product for further processing, while ladles are crucial for the safe and efficient transport and pouring of molten metal within a foundry or steel plant. These items are engineered to withstand extreme temperatures, thermal shock, and corrosive environments. Importers are typically steel producers, non-ferrous metal foundries, and specialized casting companies worldwide, essential for their primary metal shaping and handling operations. Exporters are often manufacturers of heavy-duty foundry equipment, refractory products, and specialized casting tools. The trade in these items is fundamental to the global production of metals.
What products fall under HS code 845420?
Steel ingot moulds, Cast iron ingot moulds, Bottom pouring ladles, Top pouring ladles, Transfer ladles, Treatment ladles, Tundish ladles, Slag ladles
What are common misclassifications for HS code 845420?
Might be confused with general metal containers (7310) or other foundry equipment (845430), but 845420 is specific to *ingot moulds and ladles* designed for molten metal handling.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 845420?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 845420 in UN Comtrade data were China ($95M, 47% of world exports), Poland ($31M) and Germany ($13M). World exports came to about $204M, 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 845420?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 845420 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($34M, 13% of world imports), Mexico ($22M) and Italy ($17M). World imports came to about $259M, 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 845420 structured?
HS code 845420 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (54) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 845420?
Brazil splits HS code 845420 into 2 NCM codes: 8454.20.10 (Ingot moulds), 8454.20.90 (Ladles for metallurgy or foundries). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.