Product classification
HS code for Metal caps: 8309.90
Stoppers, caps and lids, of base metal.
Classification of metal caps under HS 8309.90
Metal caps, stoppers, and lids are classified under HS code 8309.90. This classification is part of Chapter 83, which encompasses miscellaneous articles of base metal. Heading 8309 specifically covers packaging closures such as crown corks, bottle caps, threaded caps, bung covers, seals, and other packing accessories made of base metal. The classification is driven by the function of the item as a closure for a container and its material composition. Subheading 8309.90 serves as the residual category for all base metal closures that do not qualify as crown corks. This includes a wide variety of aluminum and steel caps used in the beverage, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. The determination follows GRI 1, as the heading text explicitly mentions stoppers, caps, and lids. These items are distinguished from general hardware by their specific design for sealing bottles, jars, or tubes. Whether the cap is threaded, snap-on, or a tear-off seal, if it is made of base metal and intended for packaging, it falls under this heading.
- Covers
- Aluminum screw caps for wine or spirits
- Steel lug caps for glass food jars
- Metal flip-top closures for tubes
- Threaded metal bungs for industrial drums
- Tear-off aluminum seals for pharmaceutical vials
- Also under 8309.90
- Crown Holdings caps
- Ardagh Group lids
- Silgan Holdings closures
- Ball Corporation caps
- Rexam (now part of Ball/Crown) caps
Codes often confused with 8309.90
Common mistake. A frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 8309.10, which is specifically for crown corks (the standard crimped caps found on glass beer bottles). Another common mistake is using HS code 3923.50, which is for stoppers, lids, and caps made of plastics. If the cap is made of a precious metal or plated with precious metal, it may fall under Chapter 71. Additionally, simple metal washers or nuts are classified under 7318 and should not be confused with container caps.
Top exporters and importers of HS 830990 (the code used for metal caps), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 830990 (the code used for metal caps) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 10% 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 830990, not only metal caps.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $1.7B 17% of world exports
- 2 Poland $1.2B 12% of world exports
- 3 Germany $750M 7.5% of world exports
World total: $10.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.0B 10% of world imports
- 2 France $765M 7.7% of world imports
- 3 Germany $579M 5.8% of world imports
World total: $9.9B 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 metal caps
Brazil classifies metal caps under NCM 8309.90.00: HS 8309.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about metal caps
What is the HS code for Metal caps?
The HS code for Metal caps is 830990 (Stoppers; caps and lids, of base metal). The HS code for metal caps, stoppers, and lids made of base metal (excluding crown corks) is 8309.90.
How do I classify Metal caps for customs?
Metal caps is classified under HS code 830990 — Stoppers; caps and lids, of base metal. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are plastic-lined metal caps still classified here?
Yes, metal caps that include a plastic liner or gasket for sealing purposes are still classified under 8309.90, as the essential character is provided by the metal outer shell.
Which countries are the top exporters of metal caps (HS 830990)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 830990 (the code used for metal caps) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.7B, 17% of world exports), Poland ($1.2B) and Germany ($750M). World exports came to about $10.0B, 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 metal caps (HS 830990)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 830990 (the code used for metal caps) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.0B, 10% of world imports), France ($765M) and Germany ($579M). World imports came to about $9.9B, 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 Metal caps the same in all countries?
The base HS code 830990 for Metal caps 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 metal caps in Brazil?
In Brazil, metal caps (HS 830990) is classified under NCM 8309.90.00.