Product classification
HS code for Nickel scrap: 7503.00
Nickel, waste and scrap.
Classification of nickel scrap under HS 7503.00
Nickel scrap is classified under HS code 7503.00, which specifically covers nickel waste and scrap. This classification is governed by the General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System (GRI), specifically GRI 1, which dictates that classification is determined by the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Chapter 75 pertains to nickel and articles thereof. The term "waste and scrap" in this context refers to metallic waste and scrap fit only for the recovery of metal or for use in the manufacture of chemicals. It includes products resulting from the manufacture or mechanical working of nickel, as well as nickel goods definitely no longer usable because of breakage, cutting-up, wear, or other reasons. For alloys, the classification depends on the weight of the nickel content; if nickel predominates by weight over any other element, the alloy scrap is generally classified here, provided it meets the definition of waste and scrap. This code is essential for international trade and environmental regulation, as it is often used to monitor the movement of secondary raw materials and ensure compliance with the Basel Convention regarding the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes.
- Covers
- Used nickel anodes and cathodes
- Nickel alloy turnings, shavings, and chips
- Rejected nickel castings and forgings
- Spent nickel catalysts (if metallic and not chemical residues)
- Worn-out nickel-plated articles
- Nickel-copper alloy scrap (Monel scrap)
- Also under 7503.00
- ELV (End-of-Life Vehicle) scrap
- Industrial nickel turnings
- Used Inconel parts
- Discarded nickel-cadmium batteries
Codes often confused with 7503.00
Common mistake. Nickel scrap is frequently confused with HS code 2620.99, which covers ash and residues containing metals. The distinction lies in the physical state; 7503.00 is for metallic scrap, while 2620 is for industrial residues like sludge or ash. Another common error is using 7502.10, which is for unwrought nickel. 7502.10 applies to primary metal (newly refined), whereas 7503.00 is strictly for secondary or waste material. Additionally, nickel-cadmium batteries are classified under 8549 as electrical waste, not as nickel scrap.
Top exporters and importers of HS 750300 (the code used for nickel scrap), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 750300 (the code used for nickel scrap) in UN Comtrade data was the United Kingdom, with 15% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 29% 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 750300, not only nickel scrap.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United Kingdom $181M 15% of world exports
- 2 Saudi Arabia $169M 14% of world exports
- 3 United States $137M 11% of world exports
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $350M 29% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $176M 15% of world imports
- 3 Germany $140M 12% of world imports
World total: $1.2B 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 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 nickel scrap
Brazil classifies nickel scrap under NCM 7503.00.00: HS 7503.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about nickel scrap
What is the HS code for Nickel scrap?
The HS code for Nickel scrap is 750300 (Nickel; waste and scrap). The primary HS code for nickel waste and scrap is 7503.00.
How do I classify Nickel scrap for customs?
Nickel scrap is classified under HS code 750300 — Nickel; waste and scrap. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include nickel-based superalloys?
Yes, provided that nickel is the predominant element by weight and the material is in a state of waste or scrap fit only for metal recovery.
Which countries are the top exporters of nickel scrap (HS 750300)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 750300 (the code used for nickel scrap) in UN Comtrade data were the United Kingdom ($181M, 15% of world exports), Saudi Arabia ($169M) and the United States ($137M). World exports came to about $1.2B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of nickel scrap (HS 750300)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 750300 (the code used for nickel scrap) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($350M, 29% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($176M) and Germany ($140M). World imports came to about $1.2B, 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 scrap the same in all countries?
The base HS code 750300 for Nickel scrap 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 scrap in Brazil?
In Brazil, nickel scrap (HS 750300) is classified under NCM 7503.00.00.