Product classification
HS code for Brazing filler metal: 8311.90
Wires, rods, tubes, plates, electrodes of base metal or metal carbides, of a kind used for soldering, brazing, welding, wires and rods for metal spraying, n.e.c. in item no. 8311.
Classification of brazing filler metal under HS 8311.90
Brazing filler metal is classified under HS code 8311.90, which encompasses wires, rods, tubes, plates, electrodes, and similar products of base metal or of metal carbides, coated or cored with flux material, for soldering, brazing, or welding. This specific subheading (8311.90) is a residual category for items not elsewhere specified (n.e.c.) within the 8311 heading. The classification is driven by the intended use of the material as a filler in joining processes. Chapter 83 covers miscellaneous articles of base metal, and heading 8311 specifically addresses materials used for bonding metals. The distinction for 8311.90 often involves filler metals that are not coated electrodes for electric arc-welding (8311.10) or cored wire for electric arc-welding (8311.20). It includes rods and wires used for gas brazing or soldering where the material is composed of base metals like copper, aluminum, or nickel alloys, often containing a flux core or coating to facilitate the brazing process. The General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) 1 and 6 are applied here, ensuring the product meets the description of the heading and the specific subheading. It is important to note that for a product to be classified here, the base metal must predominate by weight. If the filler metal contains precious metals like silver in a proportion that exceeds the limits defined in Chapter 71, it may be classified as a precious metal alloy instead. However, most industrial brazing rods with a flux component are correctly placed in 8311.90. The presence of the flux is a key indicator for 8311, as plain wire without flux is usually classified by its constituent metal in Section XV.
- Covers
- Copper-phosphorus brazing rods
- Flux-coated silver brazing wire (base metal dominant)
- Aluminum brazing strips with flux core
- Nickel-based brazing rods for high-temperature applications
- Also under 8311.90
- Praxair thermal spray wires
- Oerlikon Metco spray wires
- ESAB TIG rods (special alloys)
- Lincoln Electric specialized welding rods
- Polymet Corporation wires
Codes often confused with 8311.90
Common mistake. Brazing filler metals are often misclassified under the specific metal chapters, such as 7217 for iron/steel wire or 7408 for copper wire. These codes apply only if the wire is not coated or cored with flux. Another common error is using 8311.10, which is reserved specifically for coated electrodes used in electric arc-welding. If the filler metal is primarily silver (over 2% by weight) and lacks flux, it may be misclassified under 7106, though industrial brazing alloys are generally kept in 8311 if they are prepared for that specific use.
Top exporters and importers of HS 831190 (the code used for brazing filler metal), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 831190 (the code used for brazing filler metal) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Mexico, with 9.7% 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 831190, not only brazing filler metal.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $85M 18% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $29M 6.2% of world exports
- 3 Poland $26M 5.7% of world exports
World total: $465M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Mexico $54M 9.7% of world imports
- 2 United States $45M 8.1% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $33M 5.9% of world imports
World total: $555M 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 brazing filler metal
Brazil classifies brazing filler metal under NCM 8311.90.00: HS 8311.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about brazing filler metal
What is the HS code for Brazing filler metal?
The HS code for Brazing filler metal is 831190 (Wires, rods, tubes, plates, electrodes of base metal or metal carbides; of a kind used for soldering, brazing, welding; wires and rods for metal spraying; n.e.c. in item no. 8311). The standard HS code for brazing filler metal (wires, rods, etc., of base metal) is 8311.90.
How do I classify Brazing filler metal for customs?
Brazing filler metal is classified under HS code 831190 — Wires, rods, tubes, plates, electrodes of base metal or metal carbides; of a kind used for soldering, brazing, welding; wires and rods for metal spraying; n.e.c. in item no. 8311. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does 8311.90 include silver solder?
It includes silver-bearing brazing alloys provided they are base-metal alloys (where base metal predominates) and are prepared as rods or wires with flux for brazing. High-purity silver solders may fall under Chapter 71.
Which countries are the top exporters of brazing filler metal (HS 831190)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 831190 (the code used for brazing filler metal) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($85M, 18% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($29M) and Poland ($26M). World exports came to about $465M, 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 brazing filler metal (HS 831190)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 831190 (the code used for brazing filler metal) in UN Comtrade data were Mexico ($54M, 9.7% of world imports), the United States ($45M) and the Netherlands ($33M). World imports came to about $555M, 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 Brazing filler metal the same in all countries?
The base HS code 831190 for Brazing filler metal 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 brazing filler metal in Brazil?
In Brazil, brazing filler metal (HS 831190) is classified under NCM 8311.90.00.