HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8549.14 – Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, unsorted and not containing lead, cadmium or mercury
HS code 8549.14 is the 6-digit subheading for waste and scrap, of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, unsorted and not containing lead, cadmium or mercury. It is used for mixed alkaline and lithium-ion battery waste, unsorted NiMH and zinc-carbon batteries, mixed consumer battery scrap, unsorted portable electronic device batteries (non-heavy metal) and general household battery waste (non-heavy metal).
What HS 8549.14 covers
This HS code addresses waste and scrap from primary cells, primary batteries, and electric accumulators that are unsorted by chemical type and do not contain lead, cadmium, or mercury. This typically includes mixed streams of common consumer batteries like alkaline, lithium-ion, and NiMH that have been collected but not yet separated. The "unsorted" aspect implies a lower level of pre-processing compared to 854913, often representing the initial collection stage of battery waste. International trade in these materials is driven by the sheer volume of spent batteries from consumer electronics and the need for specialized facilities to handle the subsequent sorting and recycling. Importers are usually large-scale battery recycling plants or intermediate processing centers that have the infrastructure to sort and then process mixed battery chemistries. Exporters are often municipal waste collection services, electronics retailers, or general waste management companies. The challenge with unsorted waste is the increased complexity and cost of downstream processing, as different battery types require distinct recycling methods.
- Covers
- Mixed alkaline and lithium-ion battery waste
- Unsorted NiMH and zinc-carbon batteries
- Mixed consumer battery scrap
- Unsorted portable electronic device batteries (non-heavy metal)
- General household battery waste (non-heavy metal)
- Mixed rechargeable battery waste (non-heavy metal)
- Unsorted button cells (non-heavy metal)
- Examples
- Call2Recycle collected battery waste (before sorting)
- Municipal household battery collection bins
- Best Buy electronics recycling drop-off (mixed batteries)
- Curbside battery collection programs
- Mixed e-waste battery components
Codes often confused with 8549.14
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 854913 if the waste is actually sorted, or with 854912 if the presence of lead, cadmium, or mercury is not definitively ruled out. The "unsorted" and "not containing heavy metals" criteria are key differentiators.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 854914, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 854914 in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 68% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 60% 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 Netherlands $18M 68% of world exports
- 2 Germany $2.7M 10.0% of world exports
- 3 Japan $2.5M 9.2% of world exports
World total: $27M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $15M 60% of world imports
- 2 Canada $1.9M 7.7% of world imports
- 3 Japan $1.9M 7.4% of world imports
World total: $25M 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 8549.14
Brazil does not split HS 8549.14: its NCM code is 8549.14.00.
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 8549.14
What is HS code 854914?
HS code 854914 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, unsorted and not containing lead, cadmium or mercury. This HS code addresses waste and scrap from primary cells, primary batteries, and electric accumulators that are unsorted by chemical type and do not contain lead, cadmium, or mercury. This typically includes mixed streams of common consumer batteries like alkaline, lithium-ion, and NiMH that have been collected but not yet separated. The "unsorted" aspect implies a lower level of pre-processing compared to 854913, often representing the initial collection stage of battery waste. International trade in these materials is driven by the sheer volume of spent batteries from consumer electronics and the need for specialized facilities to handle the subsequent sorting and recycling. Importers are usually large-scale battery recycling plants or intermediate processing centers that have the infrastructure to sort and then process mixed battery chemistries. Exporters are often municipal waste collection services, electronics retailers, or general waste management companies. The challenge with unsorted waste is the increased complexity and cost of downstream processing, as different battery types require distinct recycling methods.
What products fall under HS code 854914?
Mixed alkaline and lithium-ion battery waste, Unsorted NiMH and zinc-carbon batteries, Mixed consumer battery scrap, Unsorted portable electronic device batteries (non-heavy metal), General household battery waste (non-heavy metal), Mixed rechargeable battery waste (non-heavy metal), Unsorted button cells (non-heavy metal)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 854914?
This code is often confused with 854913 if the waste is actually sorted, or with 854912 if the presence of lead, cadmium, or mercury is not definitively ruled out. The "unsorted" and "not containing heavy metals" criteria are key differentiators.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 854914?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 854914 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($18M, 68% of world exports), Germany ($2.7M) and Japan ($2.5M). World exports came to about $27M, 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 854914?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 854914 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($15M, 60% of world imports), Canada ($1.9M) and Japan ($1.9M). World imports came to about $25M, 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 854914 structured?
HS code 854914 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 (14) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 854914?
In Brazil, HS code 854914 is NCM 8549.14.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.