Product classification
HS code for Nickel intermediate products: 7501.20
Nickel, oxide sinters and other intermediate products of nickel metallurgy.
Classification of nickel intermediate products under HS 7501.20
Nickel intermediate products are classified under HS code 7501.20 because they represent materials that have undergone initial metallurgical processing but have not yet reached the stage of unwrought nickel. This specific subheading covers nickel oxide sinters and other intermediate products of nickel metallurgy. These materials are typically obtained from the treatment of nickel-bearing ores, such as through roasting or smelting processes. Unlike chemically pure compounds, these products contain significant impurities or are in a physical state (like sinters) that requires further refining or processing to produce pure nickel or nickel alloys. The classification is determined by the product's position in the production chain, sitting between raw ore and refined metal.
- Covers
- Nickel oxide sinters
- Impure nickel oxides
- Nickel speiss
- Nickel-cobalt mattes (depending on nickel content)
- Intermediate products from the processing of nickeliferous laterites
- Also under 7501.20
- Vale nickel matte
- Glencore nickel oxide
- Sumitomo Metal Mining MHP
- BHP nickel concentrate
Codes often confused with 7501.20
Common mistake. Nickel intermediate products are frequently confused with nickel mattes, which fall under HS code 7501.10. The distinction lies in the chemical composition; mattes are primarily sulfides, whereas products in 7501.20 are typically oxides or sinters. Another common error is classifying these under 2825.40, which is reserved for chemically pure nickel oxides and hydroxides. If the product is intended for laboratory use or meets high purity standards, Chapter 28 is more appropriate than Chapter 75.
Top exporters and importers of HS 750120 (the code used for nickel intermediate products), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 750120 (the code used for nickel intermediate products) in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 78% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 84% 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 750120, not only nickel intermediate products.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Indonesia $5.4B 78% of world exports
- 2 Papua New Guinea* ~$472M 6.8% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Philippines $409M 5.9% of world exports
World total: $6.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $6.9B 84% of world imports
- 2 Japan $599M 7.3% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $413M 5.0% of world imports
World total: $8.2B 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 nickel intermediate products
Brazil classifies nickel intermediate products under NCM 7501.20.00: HS 7501.20 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about nickel intermediate products
What is the HS code for Nickel intermediate products?
The HS code for Nickel intermediate products is 750120 (Nickel; oxide sinters and other intermediate products of nickel metallurgy).
How do I classify Nickel intermediate products for customs?
Nickel intermediate products is classified under HS code 750120 — Nickel; oxide sinters and other intermediate products of nickel metallurgy. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for nickel oxide sinters?
Nickel oxide sinters are classified under HS code 7501.20 as intermediate products of nickel metallurgy.
How do intermediate products differ from unwrought nickel?
Intermediate products (7501) require further metallurgical transformation, while unwrought nickel (7502) is the refined metal in forms like ingots, cathodes, or pellets ready for manufacturing.
Which countries are the top exporters of nickel intermediate products (HS 750120)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 750120 (the code used for nickel intermediate products) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($5.4B, 78% of world exports), Papua New Guinea (about $472M) and the Philippines ($409M). World exports came to about $6.9B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of nickel intermediate products (HS 750120)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 750120 (the code used for nickel intermediate products) in UN Comtrade data were China ($6.9B, 84% of world imports), Japan ($599M) and the United Kingdom ($413M). World imports came to about $8.2B, 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 Nickel intermediate products the same in all countries?
The base HS code 750120 for Nickel intermediate products 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 nickel intermediate products in Brazil?
In Brazil, nickel intermediate products (HS 750120) is classified under NCM 7501.20.00.