HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 8549.11 – Waste and scrap of lead-acid accumulators; spent lead-acid accumulators

HS code 8549.11 is the 6-digit subheading for waste and scrap of lead-acid accumulators, spent lead-acid accumulators. It is used for spent car batteries, used forklift batteries, discarded UPS batteries, industrial backup power batteries (waste) and traction batteries (scrap).

What HS 8549.11 covers

This HS code specifically covers the trade of spent or waste lead-acid accumulators, commonly known as car batteries or industrial backup batteries. This is a critical category in the circular economy, as lead-acid batteries are highly recyclable, with lead being a valuable commodity. International trade in these materials is driven by the global demand for lead and the environmental necessity of proper recycling. Importers are typically specialized battery recycling facilities, often located in countries with advanced smelting and refining capabilities. Exporters include automotive service centers, industrial facilities, and waste management companies that collect spent batteries. Key considerations in this trade involve strict environmental regulations, hazardous waste transportation protocols, and commodity pricing for lead. The movement of these materials is heavily regulated to prevent pollution and ensure responsible recovery of valuable metals.

Covers
  • Spent car batteries
  • Used forklift batteries
  • Discarded UPS batteries
  • Industrial backup power batteries (waste)
  • Traction batteries (scrap)
  • Automotive battery cores
  • Marine battery scrap
Examples
  • Exide Technologies spent batteries
  • Johnson Controls (Clarios) used batteries
  • East Penn Manufacturing scrap batteries
  • Yuasa spent industrial batteries
  • Optima Batteries waste

Codes often confused with 8549.11

Common mistake. This code is distinct from 854912, which covers other types of spent batteries containing lead, cadmium, or mercury, but not specifically lead-acid. It's crucial to identify the battery chemistry correctly to avoid misclassification.

8549.12Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, containing lead, cadmium or mercury, other than lead-acid accumulators

Top exporters and importers of HS code 854911, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 854911 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 46% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 26% 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. 1 United States $640M
  2. 2 France $96M
  3. 3 Canada $78M

World total: $1.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 South Korea $519M
  2. 2 India $518M
  3. 3 Mexico $465M

World total: $2.0B 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 8549.11

Brazil does not split HS 8549.11: its NCM code is 8549.11.00.

  1. 8549.11.00 Lead-acid battery waste and scrapDesperdícios e resíduos, e sucata, de acumuladores de chumbo-ácido; acumuladores de chumbo-ácido inservíveis

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 85.49 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 8549.11

What is HS code 854911?

HS code 854911 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Waste and scrap of lead-acid accumulators; spent lead-acid accumulators. This HS code specifically covers the trade of spent or waste lead-acid accumulators, commonly known as car batteries or industrial backup batteries. This is a critical category in the circular economy, as lead-acid batteries are highly recyclable, with lead being a valuable commodity. International trade in these materials is driven by the global demand for lead and the environmental necessity of proper recycling. Importers are typically specialized battery recycling facilities, often located in countries with advanced smelting and refining capabilities. Exporters include automotive service centers, industrial facilities, and waste management companies that collect spent batteries. Key considerations in this trade involve strict environmental regulations, hazardous waste transportation protocols, and commodity pricing for lead. The movement of these materials is heavily regulated to prevent pollution and ensure responsible recovery of valuable metals.

What products fall under HS code 854911?

Spent car batteries, Used forklift batteries, Discarded UPS batteries, Industrial backup power batteries (waste), Traction batteries (scrap), Automotive battery cores, Marine battery scrap

What are common misclassifications for HS code 854911?

This code is distinct from 854912, which covers other types of spent batteries containing lead, cadmium, or mercury, but not specifically lead-acid. It's crucial to identify the battery chemistry correctly to avoid misclassification.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 854911?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 854911 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($640M, 46% of world exports), France ($96M) and Canada ($78M). World exports came to about $1.4B, 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 854911?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 854911 in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($519M, 26% of world imports), India ($518M) and Mexico ($465M). World imports came to about $2.0B, 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 854911 structured?

HS code 854911 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (85) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (49) 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 854911?

In Brazil, HS code 854911 is NCM 8549.11.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.