HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 8549.29 – Waste and scrap; of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metal n.e.c. in item no 8549.21

HS code 8549.29 is the 6-digit subheading for waste and scrap, of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metal n.e.c. in item no 8549.21. It is used for gold-plated connectors, silver-coated contacts, platinum-containing sensors, palladium-rich capacitors and scrap integrated circuits (ICs).

What HS 8549.29 covers

This HS code covers electrical and electronic waste and scrap primarily intended for precious metal recovery, but specifically excludes the hazardous materials listed in 854921 (like batteries, mercury switches, or CRT glass). This category typically includes less hazardous, but still valuable, e-waste streams. Importers are specialized recycling and refining companies focused on extracting gold, silver, platinum, and palladium from electronic components. Exporters are often countries with significant electronic manufacturing and consumption, generating substantial volumes of this type of scrap. Key trade factors include the efficiency of sorting and pre-processing, the purity of the scrap, and the prevailing market prices for precious metals. The trade is driven by the economic value of the recovered metals and the environmental benefits of diverting waste from landfills, contributing to a more sustainable supply chain for critical raw materials.

Covers
  • Gold-plated connectors
  • Silver-coated contacts
  • Platinum-containing sensors
  • Palladium-rich capacitors
  • Scrap integrated circuits (ICs)
  • Gold bonding wires
  • Silver-bearing switches
  • Precious metal alloys from electronics
Examples
  • Gold-plated edge connectors from old circuit boards
  • Silver contacts from relays
  • Platinum sensors from industrial equipment
  • Palladium capacitors from consumer electronics
  • Scrap from semiconductor manufacturing

Codes often confused with 8549.29

Common mistake. This code is differentiated from 854921 by the absence of specific hazardous components like batteries or CRT glass, making its handling and transport less stringently regulated under certain international conventions.

8549.21Electrical and electronic waste and scrap; of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metal, containing primary cells and batteries, electric accumulators, mercury-switches, glass from cathode ray tubes or other activated glass, or electrical

Top exporters and importers of HS code 854929, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 854929 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 75% 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 $282M
  2. 2 Netherlands $207M
  3. 3 Taiwan* ~$131M

World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Japan $1.2B
  2. 2 Germany $136M
  3. 3 Canada $131M

World total: $1.5B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 8549.29

Brazil does not split HS 8549.29: its NCM code is 8549.29.00.

  1. 8549.29.00 Other precious-metal recovery e-scrapOutros

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 8549.29

What is HS code 854929?

HS code 854929 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Waste and scrap; of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metal n.e.c. in item no 8549.21. This HS code covers electrical and electronic waste and scrap primarily intended for precious metal recovery, but specifically excludes the hazardous materials listed in 854921 (like batteries, mercury switches, or CRT glass). This category typically includes less hazardous, but still valuable, e-waste streams. Importers are specialized recycling and refining companies focused on extracting gold, silver, platinum, and palladium from electronic components. Exporters are often countries with significant electronic manufacturing and consumption, generating substantial volumes of this type of scrap. Key trade factors include the efficiency of sorting and pre-processing, the purity of the scrap, and the prevailing market prices for precious metals. The trade is driven by the economic value of the recovered metals and the environmental benefits of diverting waste from landfills, contributing to a more sustainable supply chain for critical raw materials.

What products fall under HS code 854929?

Gold-plated connectors, Silver-coated contacts, Platinum-containing sensors, Palladium-rich capacitors, Scrap integrated circuits (ICs), Gold bonding wires, Silver-bearing switches, Precious metal alloys from electronics

What are common misclassifications for HS code 854929?

This code is differentiated from 854921 by the absence of specific hazardous components like batteries or CRT glass, making its handling and transport less stringently regulated under certain international conventions.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 854929?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 854929 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($282M, 24% of world exports), the Netherlands ($207M) and Taiwan (about $131M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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 854929?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 854929 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($1.2B, 75% of world imports), Germany ($136M) and Canada ($131M). World imports came to about $1.5B, 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 854929 structured?

HS code 854929 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 (29) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 854929?

In Brazil, HS code 854929 is NCM 8549.29.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.