Product classification
HS code for Cobalt powder: 8105.20
Cobalt, mattes and other intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy, unwrought cobalt, powders.
Classification of cobalt powder under HS 8105.20
Cobalt powder is classified under HS code 8105.20 because it falls under the category of "unwrought cobalt" and "powders" within the specific heading for cobalt metallurgy. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) 1 and 6, products are classified based on the terms of the headings and subheadings. Heading 8105 covers cobalt mattes and other intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy, as well as unwrought cobalt and powders. Since the product is in a powdered form and consists of the base metal cobalt, it is specifically directed to the 8105.20 subheading. This classification applies regardless of whether the powder is intended for use in powder metallurgy, as a chemical catalyst, or for the production of hard metals such as cemented carbides. The purity of the cobalt and the particle size distribution are key factors, but as long as the material remains a base metal powder and has not been worked into a specific finished article, it remains within this code. The Harmonized System treats powders as a primary form of the metal, distinct from wrought articles like wire or plates.
- Covers
- Pure cobalt powder
- Cobalt alloy powders where cobalt is the predominant element by weight
- Metallurgical grade cobalt powders for sintering
- Spherical cobalt powder for additive manufacturing
- Also under 8105.20
- Glencore cobalt cathodes
- Umicore cobalt powder
- Sumitomo cobalt briquettes
- Tesla battery-grade cobalt
- Samsung SDI cobalt raw material
Codes often confused with 8105.20
Common mistake. Cobalt powder is frequently confused with cobalt oxides and hydroxides, which are classified under HS code 2822.00. The distinction lies in the chemical state; 8105.20 is for the metallic form, while 2822.00 is for inorganic chemical compounds. Additionally, prepared binders for foundry molds containing cobalt may be classified under 3824.99, and finished articles made of cobalt are classified under 8105.90.
Top exporters and importers of HS 810520 (the code used for cobalt powder), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 810520 (the code used for cobalt powder) in UN Comtrade data was the DR Congo, with about 44% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 59% 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 810520, not only cobalt powder.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 DR Congo* ~$1.9B 44% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 China $499M 12% of world exports
- 3 Canada $333M 7.9% of world exports
World total: $4.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $2.2B 59% of world imports
- 2 United States $397M 11% of world imports
- 3 Japan $133M 3.6% of world imports
World total: $3.7B 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. 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 cobalt powder
Brazil splits HS 8105.20 into 4 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8105.20.10Unwrought cobalt
- 8105.20.21Cobalt-chromium-tungsten (stellite) powders
- 8105.20.29Other cobalt powders
- 8105.20.90Cobalt mattes and other intermediate products
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about cobalt powder
What is the HS code for Cobalt powder?
The HS code for Cobalt powder is 810520 (Cobalt; mattes and other intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy, unwrought cobalt, powders). The HS code for cobalt powder is 8105.20, which covers unwrought cobalt and powders.
How do I classify Cobalt powder for customs?
Cobalt powder is classified under HS code 810520 — Cobalt; mattes and other intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy, unwrought cobalt, powders. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include cobalt alloys?
Yes, provided that cobalt is the predominant metal by weight in the alloy and the product is in powder form, it remains under 8105.20.
Which countries are the top exporters of cobalt powder (HS 810520)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 810520 (the code used for cobalt powder) in UN Comtrade data were the DR Congo (about $1.9B, 44% of world exports), China ($499M) and Canada ($333M). World exports came to about $4.2B, 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 cobalt powder (HS 810520)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 810520 (the code used for cobalt powder) in UN Comtrade data were China ($2.2B, 59% of world imports), the United States ($397M) and Japan ($133M). World imports came to about $3.7B, 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 Cobalt powder the same in all countries?
The base HS code 810520 for Cobalt powder 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 cobalt powder in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 810520 into 4 NCM codes, so the right one for cobalt powder depends on the product's details: 8105.20.10 (Unwrought cobalt), 8105.20.21 (Cobalt-chromium-tungsten (stellite) powders), 8105.20.29 (Other cobalt powders), 8105.20.90 (Cobalt mattes and other intermediate products).