Product classification
HS code for Cobalt scrap: 8105.30
Cobalt, waste and scrap.
Classification of cobalt scrap under HS 8105.30
Cobalt waste and scrap are classified under HS code 8105.30 within the Harmonized System. This classification is part of Chapter 81, which encompasses other base metals, cermets, and articles thereof. The specific subheading 8105.30 is reserved for cobalt waste and scrap generated during the manufacture or mechanical working of metals, as well as cobalt articles that are definitely unusable as such because of breakage, cutting-up, wear, or other reasons. This classification is crucial for recycling industries and international trade, as it distinguishes raw waste from unwrought metal or finished cobalt products. The material must be in a form that is only fit for the recovery of the metal or for use as a basis for the manufacture of chemical compounds.
- Covers
- Cobalt shavings and turnings from machining
- Broken cobalt alloy parts
- Spent cobalt catalysts (if primarily metallic)
- Discarded cobalt anodes
- Manufacturing rejects of cobalt articles
- Also under 8105.30
- EV battery recycling scrap
- Aerospace turbine blade scrap
- Industrial catalyst waste
- Medical implant cobalt scrap
- Hard metal tool cobalt scrap
Codes often confused with 8105.30
Common mistake. Cobalt scrap is often misclassified under HS code 8105.20, which is intended for unwrought cobalt, including powders and ingots. While both are raw forms of the metal, 8105.20 refers to primary metal production, whereas 8105.30 is strictly for secondary materials (waste). Another common error is using 8105.90, which is the residual category for wrought articles of cobalt. If the item is recognizable as a finished part and not yet rendered unusable, it may be classified as an article rather than scrap.
Top exporters and importers of HS 810530 (the code used for cobalt scrap), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 810530 (the code used for cobalt scrap) in UN Comtrade data was the United Kingdom, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 29% 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 810530, not only cobalt scrap.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United Kingdom $12M 20% of world exports
- 2 United States $9.1M 15% of world exports
- 3 Germany $5.1M 8.7% of world exports
World total: $59M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $20M 29% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $15M 21% of world imports
- 3 Finland $10M 15% of world imports
World total: $69M 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 cobalt scrap
Brazil classifies cobalt scrap under NCM 8105.30.00: HS 8105.30 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about cobalt scrap
What is the HS code for Cobalt scrap?
The HS code for Cobalt scrap is 810530 (Cobalt; waste and scrap). The HS code for cobalt waste and scrap is 8105.30.
How do I classify Cobalt scrap for customs?
Cobalt scrap is classified under HS code 810530 — Cobalt; waste and scrap. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are lithium-ion batteries containing cobalt classified here?
No, spent lithium-ion batteries are generally classified under heading 8548 or 8549, depending on the specific jurisdiction and the nature of the waste, rather than as pure cobalt scrap.
Which countries are the top exporters of cobalt scrap (HS 810530)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 810530 (the code used for cobalt scrap) in UN Comtrade data were the United Kingdom ($12M, 20% of world exports), the United States ($9.1M) and Germany ($5.1M). World exports came to about $59M, 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 scrap (HS 810530)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 810530 (the code used for cobalt scrap) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($20M, 29% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($15M) and Finland ($10M). World imports came to about $69M, 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 scrap the same in all countries?
The base HS code 810530 for Cobalt scrap 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 scrap in Brazil?
In Brazil, cobalt scrap (HS 810530) is classified under NCM 8105.30.00.