Product classification
HS code for Precious metal e-waste: 8549.29
Waste and scrap, of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metal n.e.c. in item no 8549.21.
Classification of precious metal e-waste under HS 8549.29
Precious metal e-waste is classified under HS code 8549.29. This code is part of the relatively new structure for electrical and electronic waste and scrap introduced to better track environmental and resource recovery flows. It specifically refers to waste and scrap of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metals, excluding those items already covered under 8549.21 (which typically involves lead-acid batteries or specific hazardous components). The classification focuses on the end-use of the waste—recovering valuable metals like gold, silver, or palladium from discarded electronic components. This code ensures that electronic scrap intended for metal reclamation is tracked separately from general electronic waste or scrap intended for plastic or base metal recovery.
- Covers
- Discarded printed circuit boards (PCBs)
- Scrap electronic connectors with gold plating
- Waste CPUs and semiconductor chips
- Old mobile phone motherboards
- Electronic scrap containing silver contacts
- Also under 8549.29
- Gold-plated edge connectors from old circuit boards
- Silver contacts from relays
- Platinum sensors from industrial equipment
- Palladium capacitors from consumer electronics
- Scrap from semiconductor manufacturing
Codes often confused with 8549.29
Common mistake. Which other HS codes get confused with this one and why. Mention specific code numbers. This code is often confused with 7112.91, which covers waste and scrap of gold or of metal clad with gold. However, if the scrap is clearly electronic in nature, 8549.29 is more specific. It may also be confused with 8549.21 if the waste contains specific hazardous substances like lead or cadmium that trigger the more restrictive classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS 854929 (the code used for precious metal e-waste), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 854929 (the code used for precious metal e-waste) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 75% 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 854929, not only precious metal e-waste.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $282M 24% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $207M 18% of world exports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$131M 11% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Japan $1.2B 75% of world imports
- 2 Germany $136M 8.8% of world imports
- 3 Canada $131M 8.5% of world imports
World total: $1.5B 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 precious metal e-waste
Brazil classifies precious metal e-waste under NCM 8549.29.00: HS 8549.29 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about precious metal e-waste
What is the HS code for Precious metal e-waste?
The HS code for Precious metal e-waste is 854929 (Waste and scrap; of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metal n.e.c. in item no 8549.21). The HS code for electronic waste used principally for precious metal recovery is 8549.29.
How do I classify Precious metal e-waste for customs?
Precious metal e-waste is classified under HS code 854929 — Waste and scrap; of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metal n.e.c. in item no 8549.21. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
How does 8549.29 differ from 8549.11?
8549.11 is specifically for waste and scrap of primary cells, batteries, and electric accumulators, whereas 8549.29 covers other electronic waste for metal recovery.
Which countries are the top exporters of precious metal e-waste (HS 854929)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 854929 (the code used for precious metal e-waste) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($282M, 24% of world exports), the Netherlands ($207M) and Taiwan (about $131M). 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 precious metal e-waste (HS 854929)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 854929 (the code used for precious metal e-waste) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($1.2B, 75% of world imports), Germany ($136M) and Canada ($131M). World imports came to about $1.5B, 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 Precious metal e-waste the same in all countries?
The base HS code 854929 for Precious metal e-waste 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 precious metal e-waste in Brazil?
In Brazil, precious metal e-waste (HS 854929) is classified under NCM 8549.29.00.