Product classification
HS code for Iron slag: 2619.00
Slag, dross, (other than granulated slag), scalings and other waste from the manufacture of iron or steel.
Classification of iron slag under HS 2619.00
Iron slag is classified under HS code 261900. This code is part of Chapter 26, which covers ores, slag, and ash. Heading 2619 specifically applies to slag, dross (other than granulated slag), scalings, and other waste from the manufacture of iron or steel. Slag is a byproduct of the smelting process, formed when a flux (such as limestone) reacts with impurities in the iron ore. Dross and scalings refer to the oxidized waste that forms on the surface of molten metal or during the hot-rolling and forging of steel. The classification under 261900 is determined by the origin of the waste material. According to the HS Explanatory Notes, this heading includes products like "mill scale," which is rich in iron oxides and can be recycled back into the furnace. It also includes furnace waste that is not granulated. The classification process involves identifying that the material is a residue of the ferrous metallurgical process and not a prepared mineral product. While slag is often used in road construction or as a concrete aggregate, its classification remains in Chapter 26 as long as it is a raw waste product. This code is essential for environmental tracking and the circular economy, as it monitors the movement of industrial byproducts across borders.
- Covers
- Steelmaking slag (lump form)
- Blast furnace dross
- Mill scale (iron oxide scale)
- Hammer scale from forging
- Slag from electric arc furnaces
- Also under 2619.00
- POSCO (steel producer)
- Nippon Steel (steel producer)
- thyssenkrupp (steel producer)
- various aggregate suppliers (e.g., CRH plc)
Codes often confused with 2619.00
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification is with HS code 261800, which is reserved exclusively for granulated slag (slag sand). Granulated slag is cooled quickly with water to create a glassy, sandy texture, whereas 261900 covers the heavier, lumpier, or flaky waste. Another error is using 2620, which covers slag and ash containing metals like lead or zinc; 261900 is strictly for residues from iron and steel production.
Top exporters and importers of HS 261900 (the code used for iron slag), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 261900 (the code used for iron slag) in UN Comtrade data was India, with 13% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 30% 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 261900, not only iron slag.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 India $69M 13% of world exports
- 2 United Arab Emirates* ~$43M 8.4% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Belgium $42M 8.2% of world exports
World total: $511M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Malaysia $147M 30% of world imports
- 2 Indonesia $57M 12% of world imports
- 3 Philippines $32M 6.5% of world imports
World total: $489M 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 code for iron slag
Brazil classifies iron slag under NCM 2619.00.00: HS 2619.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about iron slag
What is the HS code for Iron slag?
The HS code for Iron slag is 261900 (Slag, dross; (other than granulated slag), scalings and other waste from the manufacture of iron or steel). The HS code for non-granulated iron or steel slag and waste is 261900.
How do I classify Iron slag for customs?
Iron slag is classified under HS code 261900 — Slag, dross; (other than granulated slag), scalings and other waste from the manufacture of iron or steel. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is mill scale classified as an ore?
No, although it is rich in iron, mill scale is considered a waste product of the manufacturing process and is classified under 261900, not under iron ores (2601).
Which countries are the top exporters of iron slag (HS 261900)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 261900 (the code used for iron slag) in UN Comtrade data were India ($69M, 13% of world exports), the United Arab Emirates (about $43M) and Belgium ($42M). World exports came to about $511M, 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 iron slag (HS 261900)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 261900 (the code used for iron slag) in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($147M, 30% of world imports), Indonesia ($57M) and the Philippines ($32M). World imports came to about $489M, 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 Iron slag the same in all countries?
The base HS code 261900 for Iron 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 iron slag in Brazil?
In Brazil, iron slag (HS 261900) is classified under NCM 2619.00.00.