Product classification

HS code for Mineral concentrates: 2617.90

Ores and concentrates n.e.c. in chapter 26, other than antimony.

Classification of mineral concentrates under HS 2617.90

Mineral concentrates are classified under HS code 2617.90, which serves as a residual category for ores and concentrates not specifically named elsewhere in Chapter 26. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) and the Explanatory Notes to Chapter 26, ores refers to metalliferous minerals of the mineralogical species used in the metallurgical industry for the extraction of metals. Concentrates are ores which have had part or all of the foreign matter removed by special treatments, such as enrichment by physical or physico-chemical operations. For a product to fall under 2617.90, it must not be an antimony ore (2617.10) and must not be covered by more specific headings like 2601 for iron, 2603 for copper, or 2614 for titanium. The classification requires that the mineral has not undergone any process not normal to the metallurgical industry, such as chemical changes or roasting that transforms the mineral into a chemical compound. If the product has been chemically altered beyond the concentration process, it may move into Chapter 28.

Covers
  • Tungsten concentrates
  • Tin concentrates not elsewhere specified
  • Bismuth ores and concentrates
  • Titanium ores not in 2614
  • Rare-earth metal ores
  • Tantalum and niobium concentrates
Also under 2617.90
  • Iluka Resources (Australia - zircon/titanium)
  • Lynas Rare Earths (Australia - rare earths)
  • AMG Critical Materials (Germany - tantalum/niobium)
  • Rio Tinto (various specialty minerals)

Codes often confused with 2617.90

Common mistake. Mineral concentrates are frequently confused with 2530.90, which covers mineral substances not elsewhere specified. However, if the mineral is intended for metal extraction, Chapter 26 is mandatory. Another common error is using 28xx codes for refined chemical compounds; 2617.90 is strictly for products of the mining industry that have only undergone physical separation.

2530.90Mineral substances; n.e.c. in chapter 25

Top exporters and importers of HS 261790 (the code used for mineral concentrates), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 261790 (the code used for mineral concentrates) in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 75% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Belgium, with 74% of world imports. Austria reports $1.1B of its chapter 26 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.

Figures cover everything classified under HS 261790, not only mineral concentrates.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Australia $179M
  2. 2 Rwanda* ~$12M
  3. 3 Zambia* ~$9.0M

World total: $238M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Belgium $179M
  2. 2 China $33M
  3. 3 Chile $6.8M

Austria reports $1.1B of its chapter 26 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.

World total: $242M 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 mineral concentrates

Brazil classifies mineral concentrates under NCM 2617.90.00: HS 2617.90 with 00 added.

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about mineral concentrates

What is the HS code for Mineral concentrates?

The HS code for Mineral concentrates is 261790 (Ores and concentrates n.e.c. in chapter 26; other than antimony). The HS code is 2617.90 for ores and concentrates other than antimony or those specifically named in headings 2601 through 2616.

How do I classify Mineral concentrates for customs?

Mineral concentrates is classified under HS code 261790 — Ores and concentrates n.e.c. in chapter 26; other than antimony. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

What is the difference between an ore and a concentrate?

An ore is the raw mineral as extracted, while a concentrate has undergone processes like flotation or magnetic separation to increase the metal content by removing waste rock.

Which countries are the top exporters of mineral concentrates (HS 261790)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 261790 (the code used for mineral concentrates) in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($179M, 75% of world exports), Rwanda (about $12M) and Zambia (about $9.0M). World exports came to about $238M, 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 mineral concentrates (HS 261790)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 261790 (the code used for mineral concentrates) in UN Comtrade data were Belgium ($179M, 74% of world imports), China ($33M) and Chile ($6.8M). World imports came to about $242M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Austria reports $1.1B of its chapter 26 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.

Is the HS code for Mineral concentrates the same in all countries?

The base HS code 261790 for Mineral concentrates 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 mineral concentrates in Brazil?

In Brazil, mineral concentrates (HS 261790) is classified under NCM 2617.90.00.