Product classification
HS code for Carbon rod: 8545.90
Carbon, lamp carbons, battery carbons and other articles of graphite or other carbon, with or without metal, of a kind used for electrical purposes.
Classification of carbon rod under HS 8545.90
Carbon rods intended for electrical purposes are classified under HS code 8545.90. This classification falls under Chapter 85, which covers electrical machinery, equipment, and parts thereof. Heading 8545 specifically addresses carbon electrodes, carbon brushes, lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other articles of graphite or carbon, with or without metal, used for electrical purposes. Subheading 8545.90 serves as the residual category for electrical carbon articles that are not furnace electrodes or brushes. The classification is driven by the intended electrical function of the rod. These rods are manufactured to have specific resistivity and conductivity levels, often containing metal additives to enhance performance. Whether used as a central conductor in a dry cell battery or as a heating element in an electrical appliance, the rod's role in an electrical circuit necessitates its placement in Chapter 85.
- Covers
- Battery carbons (rods for dry cells)
- Lamp carbons for arc lighting
- Carbon rods for electrical resistors
- Graphite heating elements for electric furnaces
- Carbon rods for arc-air gouging
- Also under 8545.90
- Energizer Carbon-Zinc Battery Rods
- Panasonic Carbon Rods
- SGL Carbon Heating Elements
- Mersen Graphite Components
- Tokai Carbon Battery Carbons
Codes often confused with 8545.90
Common mistake. A common error is classifying electrical carbon rods under 6815.19, which is for non-electrical carbon articles. The distinction lies entirely in the application; if the rod is used for its electrical properties, it must be in 8545. Another misclassification occurs with 8545.11, which is specifically for carbon electrodes used in furnaces. While a rod might function as an electrode, 8545.11 is generally reserved for the large-scale electrodes used in smelting or steel production. Furthermore, raw graphite rods that have not been processed for electrical use might be incorrectly placed in 3801.10 (artificial graphite), but once they are shaped into rods for a specific electrical use, 8545.90 is the appropriate code.
Top exporters and importers of HS 854590 (the code used for carbon rod), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 854590 (the code used for carbon rod) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 16% 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 854590, not only carbon rod.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $90M 22% of world exports
- 2 Japan $57M 14% of world exports
- 3 China $51M 13% of world exports
World total: $406M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 South Korea $96M 16% of world imports
- 2 India $91M 15% of world imports
- 3 United States $67M 11% of world imports
World total: $600M 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 codes for carbon rod
Brazil splits HS 8545.90 into 4 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8545.90.10Battery carbons
- 8545.90.20Bare carbon heating resistors without terminals
- 8545.90.30Carbon electrode connecting nipples
- 8545.90.90Other carbon or graphite electrical articles
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about carbon rod
What is the HS code for Carbon rod?
The HS code for Carbon rod is 854590 (Carbon; lamp carbons, battery carbons and other articles of graphite or other carbon, with or without metal, of a kind used for electrical purposes).
How do I classify Carbon rod for customs?
Carbon rod is classified under HS code 854590 — Carbon; lamp carbons, battery carbons and other articles of graphite or other carbon, with or without metal, of a kind used for electrical purposes. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for carbon rods?
For electrical applications, the HS code is 8545.90. For non-electrical applications, such as mechanical supports, the code is 6815.19.
Are battery carbons included in this code?
Yes, carbon rods used as the positive terminal in zinc-carbon batteries are classified under HS code 8545.90.
Which countries are the top exporters of carbon rod (HS 854590)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 854590 (the code used for carbon rod) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($90M, 22% of world exports), Japan ($57M) and China ($51M). World exports came to about $406M, 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 carbon rod (HS 854590)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 854590 (the code used for carbon rod) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($96M, 16% of world imports), India ($91M) and the United States ($67M). World imports came to about $600M, 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 Carbon rod the same in all countries?
The base HS code 854590 for Carbon rod 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 carbon rod in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 854590 into 4 NCM codes, so the right one for carbon rod depends on the product's details: 8545.90.10 (Battery carbons), 8545.90.20 (Bare carbon heating resistors without terminals), 8545.90.30 (Carbon electrode connecting nipples), 8545.90.90 (Other carbon or graphite electrical articles).