HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8545.90 – Carbon; lamp carbons, battery carbons and other articles of graphite or other carbon, with or without metal, of a kind used for electrical purposes
HS code 8545.90 is the 6-digit subheading for carbon, lamp carbons, battery carbons and other articles of graphite or other carbon, with or without metal, of a kind used for electrical purposes. It is used for carbon rods for batteries, arc lamp carbons, carbon heating elements, graphite crucibles for electrical furnaces and carbon current collectors.
What HS 8545.90 covers
This broad HS code acts as a catch-all for various carbon and graphite articles used for electrical purposes, excluding the more specific categories of electrodes and brushes. It encompasses items like lamp carbons for arc lamps, battery carbons for primary cells, and other specialized components crucial for electrical conductivity or resistance. This category is vital for industries ranging from lighting and battery manufacturing to specialized electronics and industrial heating elements. Importers include countries with diverse manufacturing sectors, particularly those involved in producing batteries, specialized lighting, or high-tech electrical components, such as South Korea, USA, and Germany. Exporters are typically nations with advanced materials science and carbon processing capabilities, with China, Japan, and Germany being key players. The trade involves a wide array of shapes, sizes, and material compositions, reflecting the varied applications. Key aspects include material purity, electrical conductivity, thermal properties, and mechanical strength, tailored to specific electrical functions.
- Covers
- Carbon rods for batteries
- Arc lamp carbons
- Carbon heating elements
- Graphite crucibles for electrical furnaces
- Carbon current collectors
- Graphite seals for electrical applications
- Carbon resistor elements
- Anodes for primary batteries
- Examples
- Energizer Carbon-Zinc Battery Rods
- Panasonic Carbon Rods
- SGL Carbon Heating Elements
- Mersen Graphite Components
- Tokai Carbon Battery Carbons
Codes often confused with 8545.90
Common mistake. This code is a residual category and can be confused with 854511 or 854519 if the item is an electrode, or 854520 if it's a brush; careful attention to the specific function and form is needed to avoid misclassifying.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 854590, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 854590 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 16% 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 United States $90M 22% of world exports
- 2 Japan $57M 14% of world exports
- 3 China $51M 13% of world exports
World total: $406M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 South Korea $96M 16% of world imports
- 2 India $91M 15% of world imports
- 3 United States $67M 11% of world imports
World total: $600M 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 8545.90 4
Brazil splits HS 8545.90 into 4 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8545.90.10 Battery carbonsCarvões para pilhas elétricas
- 8545.90.20 Bare carbon heating resistors without terminalsResistências aquecedoras desprovidas de revestimento e de terminais
- 8545.90.30 Carbon electrode connecting nipplesSuportes de conexão (nipples), para eletrodos
- 8545.90.90 Other carbon or graphite electrical articlesOutros
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 8545.90
What is HS code 854590?
HS code 854590 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Carbon; lamp carbons, battery carbons and other articles of graphite or other carbon, with or without metal, of a kind used for electrical purposes. This broad HS code acts as a catch-all for various carbon and graphite articles used for electrical purposes, excluding the more specific categories of electrodes and brushes. It encompasses items like lamp carbons for arc lamps, battery carbons for primary cells, and other specialized components crucial for electrical conductivity or resistance. This category is vital for industries ranging from lighting and battery manufacturing to specialized electronics and industrial heating elements. Importers include countries with diverse manufacturing sectors, particularly those involved in producing batteries, specialized lighting, or high-tech electrical components, such as South Korea, USA, and Germany. Exporters are typically nations with advanced materials science and carbon processing capabilities, with China, Japan, and Germany being key players. The trade involves a wide array of shapes, sizes, and material compositions, reflecting the varied applications. Key aspects include material purity, electrical conductivity, thermal properties, and mechanical strength, tailored to specific electrical functions.
What products fall under HS code 854590?
Carbon rods for batteries, Arc lamp carbons, Carbon heating elements, Graphite crucibles for electrical furnaces, Carbon current collectors, Graphite seals for electrical applications, Carbon resistor elements, Anodes for primary batteries
What are common misclassifications for HS code 854590?
This code is a residual category and can be confused with 854511 or 854519 if the item is an electrode, or 854520 if it's a brush; careful attention to the specific function and form is needed to avoid misclassifying.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 854590?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 854590 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($90M, 22% of world exports), Japan ($57M) and China ($51M). World exports came to about $406M, 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 854590?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 854590 in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($96M, 16% of world imports), India ($91M) and the United States ($67M). World imports came to about $600M, 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 854590 structured?
HS code 854590 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 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 854590?
Brazil splits HS code 854590 into 4 NCM codes: 8545.90.10 (Battery carbons), 8545.90.20 (Bare carbon heating resistors without terminals), 8545.90.30 (Carbon electrode connecting nipples), 8545.90.90 (Other carbon or graphite electrical articles). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.