HS Code for Battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury)

The classification of battery scrap under HS code 8549.12 is determined by the material composition and the state of the product as waste. This specific subheading covers waste and scrap of primary cells, primary batteries, and electric accumulators that contain lead, cadmium, or mercury. It is important to note that this code specifically excludes lead-acid accumulators, which are classified under 8549.11. The classification relies on the presence of these heavy metals, which necessitates specific handling and environmental protocols during international trade. Under the Harmonized System 2022 updates, heading 8549 was created to consolidate electrical and electronic waste and scrap, providing a more granular approach to tracking hazardous materials. For a product to fall under 8549.12, it must be spent, meaning it is no longer usable for its original purpose, or consist of manufacturing scrap. The presence of mercury, cadmium, or lead is the primary technical determinant. This ensures that the hazardous nature of the components is recognized for both customs duties and environmental regulatory compliance, such as the Basel Convention.

Products Included

• Spent nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries
• Waste mercury-oxide primary cells
• Scrap silver-oxide batteries containing mercury
• Discarded alkaline batteries containing added mercury
• Manufacturing waste from cadmium-based battery production

Common Misclassification

A frequent error is classifying these items under HS code 8549.11, which is reserved strictly for lead-acid accumulators. Another common mistake is using 8549.13, which covers waste and scrap containing other metals but specifically excludes lead, cadmium, or mercury. Prior to 2022, many of these items were classified under 8548.10, but that code has been largely superseded by the more specific 8549 subheadings.

FAQ

What is the HS code for battery scrap?

The HS code for battery scrap containing lead, cadmium, or mercury (excluding lead-acid batteries) is 8549.12.

Is lithium-ion battery scrap included here?

No, lithium-ion battery scrap that does not contain lead, cadmium, or mercury is typically classified under HS code 8549.19.