Product classification
HS code for Cerium chloride: 2846.10
Cerium compounds.
Classification of cerium chloride under HS 2846.10
Cerium chloride is categorized under HS code 2846.10. This heading is dedicated to compounds, inorganic or organic, of rare-earth metals, including cerium, yttrium, and scandium. The classification is determined by the presence of cerium as the primary metallic component in the inorganic compound. Under the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), specific headings for rare-earth compounds take precedence over more general headings for chlorides. This ensures that all cerium-based chemical derivatives are grouped together for statistical and regulatory monitoring. Cerium chloride is widely utilized in organic synthesis as a Lewis acid and in the production of mischmetal and other cerium-based alloys. The chemical structure, typically found as a heptahydrate, does not change its classification under 2846.10, as the heading covers both anhydrous and hydrated forms of cerium compounds.
- Covers
- Cerium(III) chloride
- Cerous chloride heptahydrate
- Anhydrous cerium chloride
- Cerium chloride solutions used in industrial catalysts
- Cerium chloride beads for chemical processing
- Also under 2846.10
- Solvay (Rhône-Poulenc)
- Lynas Rare Earths
- Neo Performance Materials.
Codes often confused with 2846.10
Common mistake. Importers often mistakenly look at HS code 2827.39, which covers "other chlorides." However, Chapter 28 notes specify that compounds of rare-earth metals must be classified under 2846 regardless of the anion (chloride, carbonate, etc.). Another common error is using 2846.90, which is reserved for rare-earth compounds other than those of cerium. If the product is a mixture of rare-earth chlorides, it remains in 2846.10 only if cerium is the predominant rare-earth metal by weight.
Top exporters and importers of HS 284610 (the code used for cerium chloride), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 284610 (the code used for cerium chloride) in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 46% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 23% 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 284610, not only cerium chloride.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Japan $100M 46% of world exports
- 2 France $50M 23% of world exports
- 3 China $23M 11% of world exports
World total: $219M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $53M 23% of world imports
- 2 Taiwan* ~$37M 16% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 South Korea $32M 14% of world imports
World total: $232M 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 cerium chloride
Brazil splits HS 2846.10 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 2846.10.10Ceric oxide
- 2846.10.90Other cerium compounds
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about cerium chloride
What is the HS code for Cerium chloride?
The HS code for Cerium chloride is 284610 (Cerium compounds). The HS code for cerium chloride is 2846.10, specifically for cerium compounds.
How do I classify Cerium chloride for customs?
Cerium chloride is classified under HS code 284610 — Cerium compounds. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include mixed rare-earth chlorides?
If cerium is the predominant rare-earth metal in the mixture, it typically falls under 2846.10; if another rare-earth metal predominates, it would fall under 2846.90.
Which countries are the top exporters of cerium chloride (HS 284610)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 284610 (the code used for cerium chloride) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($100M, 46% of world exports), France ($50M) and China ($23M). World exports came to about $219M, 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 cerium chloride (HS 284610)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 284610 (the code used for cerium chloride) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($53M, 23% of world imports), Taiwan (about $37M) and South Korea ($32M). World imports came to about $232M, 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 Cerium chloride the same in all countries?
The base HS code 284610 for Cerium chloride 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 cerium chloride in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 284610 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for cerium chloride depends on the product's details: 2846.10.10 (Ceric oxide), 2846.10.90 (Other cerium compounds).