HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8545.11 – Carbon electrodes; with or without metal, of a kind used for furnaces
HS code 8545.11 is the 6-digit subheading for carbon electrodes, with or without metal, of a kind used for furnaces. It is used for graphite electrodes for EAF, UHP graphite electrodes, HP graphite electrodes, RP graphite electrodes and carbon electrodes for submerged arc furnaces.
What HS 8545.11 covers
This HS code specifically targets carbon electrodes designed for use in electric arc furnaces (EAFs) and ladle furnaces, which are critical components in the steel and aluminum industries, as well as in other metallurgical processes. These electrodes conduct massive electrical currents to generate the intense heat required for melting metals and refining alloys. Countries with robust primary metal production, particularly steel-intensive economies like China, India, Japan, and the USA, are major importers of these electrodes to sustain their manufacturing output. Exporters are typically nations with specialized carbon product manufacturing capabilities, often leveraging abundant raw materials or advanced processing technologies, such as China, Japan, and Germany. Key considerations in this trade include the quality and purity of the carbon, the electrode's diameter and length, and its resistance to thermal shock and oxidation, all of which impact furnace efficiency and operational costs. The demand is closely tied to global industrial production and infrastructure development.
- Covers
- Graphite electrodes for EAF
- UHP graphite electrodes
- HP graphite electrodes
- RP graphite electrodes
- Carbon electrodes for submerged arc furnaces
- Electrode nipples
- Amorphous carbon electrodes
- Examples
- GrafTech UHP Electrodes
- Showa Denko UHP Electrodes
- Tokai Carbon UHP Electrodes
- SGL Carbon Graphite Electrodes
Codes often confused with 8545.11
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 854519, which covers carbon electrodes for non-furnace applications, and care must be taken to ensure the end-use in a furnace is clearly established to avoid misclassification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 854511, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 854511 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 40% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Iceland, with 10% 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 $731M 40% of world exports
- 2 India $255M 14% of world exports
- 3 Spain $248M 14% of world exports
World total: $1.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Iceland $221M 10% of world imports
- 2 United States $207M 9.8% of world imports
- 3 Saudi Arabia $165M 7.8% of world imports
World total: $2.1B 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 8545.11
Brazil does not split HS 8545.11: its NCM code is 8545.11.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 85.45 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8545.11
What is HS code 854511?
HS code 854511 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Carbon electrodes; with or without metal, of a kind used for furnaces. This HS code specifically targets carbon electrodes designed for use in electric arc furnaces (EAFs) and ladle furnaces, which are critical components in the steel and aluminum industries, as well as in other metallurgical processes. These electrodes conduct massive electrical currents to generate the intense heat required for melting metals and refining alloys. Countries with robust primary metal production, particularly steel-intensive economies like China, India, Japan, and the USA, are major importers of these electrodes to sustain their manufacturing output. Exporters are typically nations with specialized carbon product manufacturing capabilities, often leveraging abundant raw materials or advanced processing technologies, such as China, Japan, and Germany. Key considerations in this trade include the quality and purity of the carbon, the electrode's diameter and length, and its resistance to thermal shock and oxidation, all of which impact furnace efficiency and operational costs. The demand is closely tied to global industrial production and infrastructure development.
What products fall under HS code 854511?
Graphite electrodes for EAF, UHP graphite electrodes, HP graphite electrodes, RP graphite electrodes, Carbon electrodes for submerged arc furnaces, Electrode nipples, Amorphous carbon electrodes
What are common misclassifications for HS code 854511?
This code is distinct from 854519, which covers carbon electrodes for non-furnace applications, and care must be taken to ensure the end-use in a furnace is clearly established to avoid misclassification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 854511?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 854511 in UN Comtrade data were China ($731M, 40% of world exports), India ($255M) and Spain ($248M). World exports came to about $1.8B, 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 854511?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 854511 in UN Comtrade data were Iceland ($221M, 10% of world imports), the United States ($207M) and Saudi Arabia ($165M). World imports came to about $2.1B, 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 854511 structured?
HS code 854511 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (85) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (45) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (11) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 854511?
In Brazil, HS code 854511 is NCM 8545.11.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.