Product classification
HS code for Lead foil: 7804.11
Lead, sheets, strip and foil, of a thickness (excluding any backing) not exceeding 0.2mm.
Classification of lead foil under HS 7804.11
Lead foil is classified under HS code 7804.11. This classification is situated within Chapter 78, which covers lead and articles thereof. Heading 7804 specifically includes lead plates, sheets, strip, and foil, as well as lead powders and flakes. The subheading 7804.11 is reserved for plates, sheets, strip, and foil where the thickness of the lead (excluding any backing material like paper or plastic) does not exceed 0.2 mm. This classification is based on the metallurgical properties of the product and its physical dimensions. Lead foil is valued for its malleability and its ability to block radiation, making it a critical component in various industrial and medical applications. The 0.2 mm threshold is a strict technical limit used by customs authorities to differentiate foil from heavier sheets.
- Covers
- Lead foil for radiation shielding
- Lead foil used in capacitor manufacturing
- Decorative lead foil for bottle capsules
- Lead foil tape (where lead is the primary component)
- Thin lead sheets for X-ray protection (under 0.2 mm)
- Industrial lead foil for moisture barriers
- Also under 7804.11
- Radiation shielding lead foil from MarShield
- lead strip for stained glass from Cascade Metals
- thin lead sheets used in soundproofing panels
- lead foil for medical X-ray rooms
Codes often confused with 7804.11
Common mistake. Lead foil is often misclassified under HS code 7804.19, which covers lead plates, sheets, and strip with a thickness exceeding 0.2 mm. Accurate measurement of the lead layer is essential to avoid this error. Another common misclassification occurs with aluminum foil under heading 7607; while they may look similar, the base metal determines the chapter. Additionally, if the lead foil is part of a composite article where lead is not the essential character, it might be classified elsewhere, but pure lead foil or lead foil with simple backing always remains in 7804.11.
Top exporters and importers of HS 780411 (the code used for lead foil), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 780411 (the code used for lead foil) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 45% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 19% 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 780411, not only lead foil.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $14M 45% of world exports
- 2 United States $4.7M 15% of world exports
- 3 China $2.5M 7.8% of world exports
World total: $32M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Malaysia $6.3M 19% of world imports
- 2 Belgium $4.4M 13% of world imports
- 3 United States $4.1M 12% of world imports
World total: $34M 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 lead foil
Brazil classifies lead foil under NCM 7804.11.00: HS 7804.11 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about lead foil
What is the HS code for Lead foil?
The HS code for Lead foil is 780411 (Lead; sheets, strip and foil, of a thickness (excluding any backing) not exceeding 0.2mm). The HS code for lead foil with a thickness not exceeding 0.2 mm is 7804.11.
How do I classify Lead foil for customs?
Lead foil is classified under HS code 780411 — Lead; sheets, strip and foil, of a thickness (excluding any backing) not exceeding 0.2mm. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does the 0.2 mm limit include the backing?
No, the 0.2 mm thickness limit applies only to the lead itself, excluding any paper, plastic, or adhesive backing.
Which countries are the top exporters of lead foil (HS 780411)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 780411 (the code used for lead foil) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($14M, 45% of world exports), the United States ($4.7M) and China ($2.5M). World exports came to about $32M, 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 lead foil (HS 780411)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 780411 (the code used for lead foil) in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($6.3M, 19% of world imports), Belgium ($4.4M) and the United States ($4.1M). World imports came to about $34M, 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 Lead foil the same in all countries?
The base HS code 780411 for Lead foil 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 lead foil in Brazil?
In Brazil, lead foil (HS 780411) is classified under NCM 7804.11.00.