Product classification
HS code for Copper slag: 2620.30
Slag, ash and residues, (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly copper.
Classification of copper slag under HS 2620.30
Copper slag is classified under HS code 262030. This classification is determined by the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), specifically GRI 1, which dictates that classification is determined by the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Chapter 26 of the Harmonized System covers ores, slag, and ash. Heading 2620 is specifically reserved for slag, ash, and residues (other than from the manufacture of iron or steel) containing metals, arsenic, or their compounds. Subheading 262030 is the specific designation for those containing mainly copper. Copper slag is a byproduct produced during the smelting and refining of copper. When copper concentrates are smelted, the impurities float to the top and are removed as slag. This material is distinct from copper ores (2603) because it has undergone a metallurgical transformation. The classification 262030 applies regardless of the physical form, whether it is granulated, crushed, or in large chunks. It is also important to distinguish this from ash and residues resulting from the incineration of municipal waste, which would fall under 2621. The primary criterion for 262030 is that the residue must contain copper as its primary metallic constituent. This code is also used for copper dross and copper scale, which are other forms of residues from the processing of copper. In international trade, this classification is vital for monitoring the movement of industrial byproducts, especially under environmental frameworks like the Basel Convention, which regulates the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes. Even if the slag is intended for use as an abrasive in sandblasting or as a component in road construction, its origin as a metallurgical residue dictates its classification under 262030. The material must not be from iron or steel manufacture, as those are covered under 2618 or 2619.
- Covers
- Granulated copper slag
- Copper dross
- Copper scale
- Smelting residues containing copper
- Refinery ash containing copper
- Copper-rich metallurgical skimmings
- Also under 2620.30
- Aurubis copper slag
- Glencore copper residues
- Freeport-McMoRan smelter dust
- Boliden copper dross
Codes often confused with 2620.30
Common mistake. Copper slag is frequently confused with HS code 2618.00, which is reserved for granulated slag from the manufacture of iron or steel. Another common error is using 2603.00, which is for copper ores and concentrates; however, slag is a byproduct of processing, not a raw mineral. Additionally, if the slag is processed into a finished abrasive product, some importers mistakenly look at Chapter 68, but 262030 remains the correct code for the residue itself.
Top exporters and importers of HS 262030 (the code used for copper slag), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 262030 (the code used for copper slag) in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 69% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Sweden, with 18% 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 262030, not only copper slag.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Australia $1.2B 69% of world exports
- 2 Chile $154M 9.1% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $111M 6.6% of world exports
World total: $1.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Sweden $113M 18% of world imports
- 2 Belgium $104M 17% of world imports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$75M 12% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $622M 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 code for copper slag
Brazil classifies copper slag under NCM 2620.30.00: HS 2620.30 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about copper slag
What is the HS code for Copper slag?
The HS code for Copper slag is 262030 (Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly copper). The HS code for copper slag is 262030, which covers slag, ash, and residues containing mainly copper.
How do I classify Copper slag for customs?
Copper slag is classified under HS code 262030 — Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly copper. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is copper slag classified as hazardous waste?
While the HS code 262030 identifies the material, its status as hazardous waste depends on local environmental regulations and the concentration of heavy metals, though it is often monitored under the Basel Convention.
Which countries are the top exporters of copper slag (HS 262030)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 262030 (the code used for copper slag) in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($1.2B, 69% of world exports), Chile ($154M) and the Netherlands ($111M). World exports came to about $1.7B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of copper slag (HS 262030)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 262030 (the code used for copper slag) in UN Comtrade data were Sweden ($113M, 18% of world imports), Belgium ($104M) and Taiwan (about $75M). World imports came to about $622M, 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 Copper slag the same in all countries?
The base HS code 262030 for Copper slag 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 copper slag in Brazil?
In Brazil, copper slag (HS 262030) is classified under NCM 2620.30.00.