Product classification
HS code for Battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury): 8549.12
Waste and scrap, of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, containing lead, cadmium or mercury, other than lead-acid accumulators.
Classification of battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury) under HS 8549.12
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.
- Covers
- 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
- Also under 8549.12
- Duracell mercury-free button cell waste (older types)
- Energizer NiCd battery scrap
- Panasonic industrial NiCd batteries (spent)
- Varta mercury-containing cells (historical waste)
- Saft NiCd aircraft battery waste
Codes often confused with 8549.12
Common mistake. 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 Prior to 2022, many of these items were classified under 8548.10, but that code has been largely superseded by the more specific 8549 subheadings.
Top exporters and importers of HS 854912 (the code used for battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury)), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 854912 (the code used for battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury)) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 40% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 47% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 854912, not only battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury).
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $26M 40% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $22M 34% of world exports
- 3 Guatemala $6.3M 9.7% of world exports
World total: $65M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Spain $21M 47% of world imports
- 2 South Korea $12M 27% of world imports
- 3 Greece $3.4M 7.5% of world imports
World total: $45M 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 battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury)
Brazil classifies battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury) under NCM 8549.12.00: HS 8549.12 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury)
What is the HS code for Battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury)?
The HS code for Battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury) is 854912 (Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, containing lead, cadmium or mercury, other than lead-acid accumulators).
How do I classify Battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury) for customs?
Battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury) is classified under HS code 854912 — Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, containing lead, cadmium or mercury, other than lead-acid accumulators. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
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.
Which countries are the top exporters of battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury) (HS 854912)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 854912 (the code used for battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury)) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($26M, 40% of world exports), the Netherlands ($22M) and Guatemala ($6.3M). World exports came to about $65M, 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 battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury) (HS 854912)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 854912 (the code used for battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury)) in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($21M, 47% of world imports), South Korea ($12M) and Greece ($3.4M). World imports came to about $45M, 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 Battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury) the same in all countries?
The base HS code 854912 for Battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury) 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 battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury) in Brazil?
In Brazil, battery scrap (lead, cadmium, mercury) (HS 854912) is classified under NCM 8549.12.00.