Product classification
HS code for Non-hazardous battery scrap: 8549.13
Waste and scrap, of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, sorted by chemical type and not containing lead, cadmium or mercury.
Classification of non-hazardous battery scrap under HS 8549.13
Non-hazardous battery scrap is classified under HS code 8549.13, a category introduced in the 2022 HS nomenclature updates to better manage electrical and electronic waste. Heading 8549 covers electrical and electronic waste and scrap. Subheading 8549.13 is specifically designated for waste and scrap of primary cells, primary batteries, and electric accumulators that have been sorted by chemical type and, crucially, do not contain lead, cadmium, or mercury. This classification relies on the chemical composition of the scrap. If the batteries are spent, damaged, or otherwise unusable and are being traded for recycling or metal recovery, they fall under this heading. The "non-hazardous" designation is verified by the absence of the heavy metals mentioned in the higher-priority subheadings of 8549. This code is vital for environmental compliance and tracking the international movement of recyclable materials.
- Covers
- Spent lithium-ion battery scrap (sorted)
- Alkaline battery waste (mercury-free)
- Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery scrap
- Zinc-carbon battery waste, sorted
- Lithium polymer battery scrap
- Also under 8549.13
- Apple iPhone battery scrap (sorted Li-ion)
- Samsung Galaxy battery waste (sorted Li-ion)
- Panasonic Eneloop NiMH battery scrap
- Duracell alkaline battery waste (sorted)
- Tesla Powerwall battery modules (end-of-life, sorted)
Codes often confused with 8549.13
Common mistake. This code is frequently confused with 8549.11, which is specifically for lead-acid battery waste and scrap. It is also distinct from 8549.12, which covers battery scrap containing cadmium or mercury. Another common error is using 8549.14, which is the code for unsorted battery waste. If the scrap consists of mixed battery types that have not been separated by chemistry, 8549.14 must be used instead of 8549.13. Proper sorting is a prerequisite for this specific classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS 854913 (the code used for non-hazardous battery scrap), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 854913 (the code used for non-hazardous battery scrap) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 31% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Bulgaria, with 48% 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 854913, not only non-hazardous battery scrap.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $5.3M 31% of world exports
- 2 Belgium $2.6M 16% of world exports
- 3 Japan $1.9M 12% of world exports
World total: $17M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Bulgaria $6.4M 48% of world imports
- 2 Canada $1.4M 10% of world imports
- 3 Germany $1.1M 7.9% of world imports
World total: $13M 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 non-hazardous battery scrap
Brazil classifies non-hazardous battery scrap under NCM 8549.13.00: HS 8549.13 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about non-hazardous battery scrap
What is the HS code for Non-hazardous battery scrap?
The HS code for Non-hazardous battery scrap is 854913 (Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, sorted by chemical type and not containing lead, cadmium or mercury). The HS code for sorted waste and scrap of primary cells and batteries not containing lead, cadmium, or mercury is 8549.13.
How do I classify Non-hazardous battery scrap for customs?
Non-hazardous battery scrap is classified under HS code 854913 — Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, sorted by chemical type and not containing lead, cadmium or mercury. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this include lead-acid batteries?
No, lead-acid battery scrap is classified under HS code 8549.11 due to its lead content and different recycling requirements.
Which countries are the top exporters of non-hazardous battery scrap (HS 854913)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 854913 (the code used for non-hazardous battery scrap) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($5.3M, 31% of world exports), Belgium ($2.6M) and Japan ($1.9M). World exports came to about $17M, 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 non-hazardous battery scrap (HS 854913)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 854913 (the code used for non-hazardous battery scrap) in UN Comtrade data were Bulgaria ($6.4M, 48% of world imports), Canada ($1.4M) and Germany ($1.1M). World imports came to about $13M, 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 Non-hazardous battery scrap the same in all countries?
The base HS code 854913 for Non-hazardous battery 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 non-hazardous battery scrap in Brazil?
In Brazil, non-hazardous battery scrap (HS 854913) is classified under NCM 8549.13.00.