Product classification
HS code for Lead powder: 7804.20
Lead, powders and flakes.
Classification of lead powder under HS 7804.20
Lead powder and flakes are classified under HS code 7804.20. This classification is part of heading 7804, which covers lead plates, sheets, strip, foil, and powders. According to the Chapter 78 notes, powders are defined as products of which at least 90% by weight passes through a sieve with a mesh aperture of 1 mm. Lead powder is typically produced through atomization or chemical precipitation and is used in powder metallurgy, as a radiation shielding additive in plastics, and in the manufacture of specialized lubricants. The classification 7804.20 specifically excludes lead flakes that have been prepared as colors or paints, which would instead fall under Chapter 32.
- Covers
- Atomized lead powder
- Lead flakes (non-pigment grade)
- Lead dust
- Spherical lead powder for soldering
- Lead granules (meeting the size definition of powder)
- Also under 7804.20
- Lead powder used by battery manufacturers (e.g., Exide, Johnson Controls)
- lead flakes for specialized industrial coatings
- lead powder for primer manufacturers (e.g., CCI, Federal)
Codes often confused with 7804.20
Common mistake. Lead powder is frequently confused with HS code 7801, which covers unwrought lead in ingots or blocks. However, once the lead is processed into a powder or flake form, it must be moved to 7804.20. Another common error is misclassifying lead powder as a pigment under HS code 3206.49. If the powder is intended for use as a pigment and is mixed with binders or dispersed in a medium, it belongs in Chapter 32. Finally, lead scrap (7802.00) is sometimes confused with powder if the scrap is finely divided, but scrap must be waste material, not a purposefully manufactured powder.
Top exporters and importers of HS 780420 (the code used for lead powder), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 780420 (the code used for lead powder) in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 34% 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 780420, not only lead powder.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Australia $17M 42% of world exports
- 2 Belgium $10M 25% of world exports
- 3 Malaysia $2.9M 7.1% of world exports
World total: $41M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 South Korea $13M 34% of world imports
- 2 Albania* ~$5.7M 15% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Belgium $2.8M 7.5% of world imports
World total: $38M 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 lead powder
Brazil classifies lead powder under NCM 7804.20.00: HS 7804.20 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about lead powder
What is the HS code for Lead powder?
The HS code for Lead powder is 780420 (Lead; powders and flakes). The HS code for lead powders and flakes is 7804.20.
How do I classify Lead powder for customs?
Lead powder is classified under HS code 780420 — Lead; powders and flakes. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include lead shot?
No, lead shot used for ammunition is typically classified under HS code 9306.29 or 9306.30, depending on the specific application.
Which countries are the top exporters of lead powder (HS 780420)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 780420 (the code used for lead powder) in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($17M, 42% of world exports), Belgium ($10M) and Malaysia ($2.9M). World exports came to about $41M, 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 powder (HS 780420)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 780420 (the code used for lead powder) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($13M, 34% of world imports), Albania (about $5.7M) and Belgium ($2.8M). World imports came to about $38M, 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 powder the same in all countries?
The base HS code 780420 for Lead 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 lead powder in Brazil?
In Brazil, lead powder (HS 780420) is classified under NCM 7804.20.00.