Product classification

HS code for Ammonium tungstate: 2841.80

Salts, tungstates (wolframates).

Classification of ammonium tungstate under HS 2841.80

Ammonium tungstate, which includes variants such as ammonium paratungstate (APT) and ammonium metatungstate (AMT), is classified under HS code 2841.80. Heading 2841 covers salts of oxometallic or peroxometallic acids. Unlike vanadates, which fall into a residual category, tungstates (also known as wolframates) have a dedicated subheading at 2841.80. This classification is determined by the presence of the tungstate anion (WO4^2- or more complex polyoxometalate forms) and the ammonium cation. Ammonium paratungstate is a critical intermediate in the metallurgical industry, serving as the primary precursor for the production of tungsten trioxide, tungsten metal powder, and tungsten carbide. The classification logic is based on the chemical's role as an inorganic salt of an oxometallic acid. It is important to distinguish these salts from tungsten oxides (heading 2825) or tungsten metal (heading 8101). Because the HS code 2841.80 specifically names tungstates, it takes precedence over more general headings for inorganic compounds. The classification applies to both the paratungstate and metatungstate forms, as both are salts of the oxometallic tungstic acid.

Covers
  • Ammonium paratungstate (APT)
  • Ammonium metatungstate (AMT)
  • Ammonium tungstate hydrate
  • Ammonium wolframate
  • High-purity ammonium tungstate powder
Also under 2841.80
  • Xiamen Tungsten
  • Global Tungsten & Powders (GTP)
  • H.C. Starck Tungsten
  • Sigma-Aldrich Tungstates

Codes often confused with 2841.80

Common mistake. Ammonium tungstate is frequently misclassified under HS code 2825.90, which covers other inorganic bases and metal oxides/hydroxides. While it is used to produce tungsten oxides, the salt itself belongs in 2841.80. Another error is using 2841.90 (other oxometallic salts); however, since tungstates have their own specific subheading (2841.80), the residual category 2841.90 should not be used. Additionally, some may confuse it with tungsten ores and concentrates under 2611.00, but ammonium tungstate is a refined chemical product, not a raw ore.

2825.90Inorganic bases, metal oxides, hydroxides and peroxides; n.e.c. in heading no. 28252841.90Salts of oxometallic or peroxometallic acids; n.e.c. in heading no. 28412611.00Tungsten ores and concentrates

Top exporters and importers of HS 284180 (the code used for ammonium tungstate), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 284180 (the code used for ammonium tungstate) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 48% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 36% of world imports. Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 5.7% of its exports here ($2.5M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.

Figures cover everything classified under HS 284180, not only ammonium tungstate.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $116M
  2. 2 South Korea $35M
  3. 3 Taiwan* ~$34M

Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 5.7% of its exports here ($2.5M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.

World total: $241M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $99M
  2. 2 China $46M
  3. 3 Japan $43M

World total: $273M 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 codes for ammonium tungstate

Brazil splits HS 2841.80 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about ammonium tungstate

What is the HS code for Ammonium tungstate?

The HS code for Ammonium tungstate is 284180 (Salts; tungstates (wolframates)). The HS code for ammonium tungstate, including ammonium paratungstate, is 2841.80.

How do I classify Ammonium tungstate for customs?

Ammonium tungstate is classified under HS code 284180 — Salts; tungstates (wolframates). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What is the difference between APT and AMT in classification?

Both Ammonium Paratungstate (APT) and Ammonium Metatungstate (AMT) are classified under the same HS code, 2841.80, as they are both salts of tungstic acid.

Which countries are the top exporters of ammonium tungstate (HS 284180)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 284180 (the code used for ammonium tungstate) in UN Comtrade data were China ($116M, 48% of world exports), South Korea ($35M) and Taiwan (about $34M). World exports came to about $241M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Taiwan did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 5.7% of its exports here ($2.5M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.

Which countries are the top importers of ammonium tungstate (HS 284180)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 284180 (the code used for ammonium tungstate) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($99M, 36% of world imports), China ($46M) and Japan ($43M). World imports came to about $273M, 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.

Is the HS code for Ammonium tungstate the same in all countries?

The base HS code 284180 for Ammonium tungstate is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.

What is the NCM code for ammonium tungstate in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 284180 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for ammonium tungstate depends on the product's details: 2841.80.10 (Ammonium tungstate (wolframate)), 2841.80.20 (Lead tungstate (wolframate)), 2841.80.90 (Other tungstates (wolframates)).