Product classification
HS code for Nickel oxide sinter: 7501.20
Nickel, oxide sinters and other intermediate products of nickel metallurgy.
Classification of nickel oxide sinter under HS 7501.20
Nickel oxide sinter is classified under HS code 7501.20. While nickel oxides as pure chemicals fall under Chapter 28, nickel oxide sinters are considered intermediate products of nickel metallurgy and are thus placed in Chapter 75. Heading 7501 covers nickel mattes and oxide sinters. Sintering is a process where nickel oxide is heated to form a solid mass without melting it to the point of liquefaction, typically for use in the production of alloy steels. The classification 7501.20 is specific to these metallurgical intermediates that contain varying levels of impurities compared to the chemically pure oxides of 2825.40. The Harmonized System distinguishes these based on their intended use in the metallurgical industry and their physical state as sintered aggregates.
- Covers
- Sintered nickel oxide
- Green nickel oxide (metallurgical grade)
- Nickel oxide sinters for steel alloying
- Intermediate nickel oxide metallurgical products
- 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 oxide sinter is frequently misclassified under HS code 2825.40, which is reserved for pure chemical nickel oxides. The distinction is based on the metallurgical nature of the sinter. It may also be confused with unwrought nickel in 7502.10, but sinters are still considered intermediate products because they are oxides, not the metallic form of nickel. Proper classification depends on identifying the sintering process in the manufacturing history.
Top exporters and importers of HS 750120 (the code used for nickel oxide sinter), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 750120 (the code used for nickel oxide sinter) 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 oxide sinter.
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 oxide sinter
Brazil classifies nickel oxide sinter 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 oxide sinter
What is the HS code for Nickel oxide sinter?
The HS code for Nickel oxide sinter is 750120 (Nickel; oxide sinters and other intermediate products of nickel metallurgy). The HS code for nickel oxide sinters and other intermediate products of nickel metallurgy is 7501.20.
How do I classify Nickel oxide sinter for customs?
Nickel oxide sinter is classified under HS code 750120 — Nickel; oxide sinters and other intermediate products of nickel metallurgy. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Why is nickel oxide sinter in Chapter 75 instead of Chapter 28?
It is placed in Chapter 75 because it is a metallurgical intermediate product rather than a separate, chemically defined inorganic compound, which is the requirement for Chapter 28.
Which countries are the top exporters of nickel oxide sinter (HS 750120)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 750120 (the code used for nickel oxide sinter) 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 oxide sinter (HS 750120)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 750120 (the code used for nickel oxide sinter) 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 oxide sinter the same in all countries?
The base HS code 750120 for Nickel oxide sinter 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 oxide sinter in Brazil?
In Brazil, nickel oxide sinter (HS 750120) is classified under NCM 7501.20.00.