Product classification
HS code for Hafnium powder: 8112.31
Hafnium and articles thereof, unwrought, powders, waste and scrap.
Classification of hafnium powder under HS 8112.31
Hafnium powder is classified under HS code 8112.31. This code falls within Chapter 81, which deals with various base metals not covered in previous chapters of the Harmonized System. Heading 8112 covers hafnium along with several other rare or specialty metals. Subheading 8112.31 is specifically designated for unwrought hafnium, including powders, waste, and scrap. The classification is driven by the physical state of the metal; unwrought refers to metal in its primary form, such as ingots or blocks, or in the form of powder resulting from chemical or mechanical processes. Hafnium powder is highly reactive and requires specific handling, which is a characteristic of the material in this primary, unwrought state. The General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) require that the product be classified according to the most specific description. Since 8112.31 explicitly mentions powders of hafnium, it is the correct classification. This powder is frequently used in the production of superalloys and in the electronics industry for thin-film deposition, where the purity and particle size are strictly controlled.
- Covers
- High-purity hafnium powder
- Spherical hafnium powder for additive manufacturing
- Unwrought hafnium ingots
- Hafnium sponge metal
- Hafnium pellets and granules
- Also under 8112.31
- Framatome's hafnium for nuclear applications
- ATI's hafnium products
- specialized metal recyclers handling hafnium scrap
Codes often confused with 8112.31
Common mistake. Hafnium powder is sometimes misclassified under 8112.39, which is for wrought hafnium articles. It can also be confused with 2825.90 if the material is actually hafnium oxide (a chemical) rather than the pure metal powder. Additionally, if the powder is mixed with other metals to form a cermet, it might fall under 8113.00.
Top exporters and importers of HS 811231 (the code used for hafnium powder), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 811231 (the code used for hafnium powder) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 45% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 45% 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 811231, not only hafnium powder.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $106M 45% of world exports
- 2 China $43M 18% of world exports
- 3 United Kingdom $26M 11% of world exports
World total: $236M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $115M 45% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $58M 23% of world imports
- 3 Germany $54M 21% of world imports
World total: $255M 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 hafnium powder
Brazil classifies hafnium powder under NCM 8112.31.00: HS 8112.31 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about hafnium powder
What is the HS code for Hafnium powder?
The HS code for Hafnium powder is 811231 (Hafnium and articles thereof; unwrought, powders, waste and scrap). Hafnium powder is classified under HS code 8112.31.
How do I classify Hafnium powder for customs?
Hafnium powder is classified under HS code 811231 — Hafnium and articles thereof; unwrought, powders, waste and scrap. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include hafnium alloys?
If the hafnium is the predominant metal by weight in an unwrought alloy, it may still fall under 8112.31, following the rules for base metal alloys in Section XV.
Which countries are the top exporters of hafnium powder (HS 811231)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 811231 (the code used for hafnium powder) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($106M, 45% of world exports), China ($43M) and the United Kingdom ($26M). World exports came to about $236M, 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 hafnium powder (HS 811231)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 811231 (the code used for hafnium powder) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($115M, 45% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($58M) and Germany ($54M). World imports came to about $255M, 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 Hafnium powder the same in all countries?
The base HS code 811231 for Hafnium 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 hafnium powder in Brazil?
In Brazil, hafnium powder (HS 811231) is classified under NCM 8112.31.00.