Product classification
HS code for Refined unwrought copper: 7403.19
Copper, refined, unwrought, n.e.c. in item no. 7403.1.
Classification of refined unwrought copper under HS 7403.19
Refined unwrought copper is classified under HS code 740319. Heading 7403 covers refined copper and copper alloys in unwrought forms, such as ingots, blocks, or slabs. The classification within this heading is highly specific based on the shape and purity of the copper. Subheading 740311 is for cathodes and sections of cathodes, 740312 is for wire-bars, and 740313 is for billets. HS code 740319 serves as the residual category for all other forms of refined unwrought copper that do not fit into those specific shapes. To be classified as "refined copper," the material must contain at least 99.85% copper by weight, or at least 97.5% copper provided that no single other element exceeds specific limits defined in the Chapter 74 notes. This classification is critical for the metals industry to distinguish between high-purity refined metal and unrefined or alloyed copper.
- Covers
- Refined copper ingots
- Refined copper cakes
- Refined copper slabs
- Refined copper blocks
- Unwrought refined copper shapes (not cathodes or billets)
- Refined copper pellets for melting
- Also under 7403.19
- Boliden refined copper ingots (non-standard)
- custom-cast copper shapes
- copper shot for alloying
Codes often confused with 7403.19
Common mistake. Refined unwrought copper is often misclassified under 740311 if the customs broker assumes all unwrought refined copper is a cathode. It is also frequently confused with copper alloys (740321 to 740329); however, if the copper content meets the "refined" definition, it must stay in the 74031x series. Another error is classifying it as copper waste and scrap (740400), which is only for worn-out or damaged copper items, not for newly refined unwrought metal.
Top exporters and importers of HS 740319 (the code used for refined unwrought copper), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 740319 (the code used for refined unwrought copper) in UN Comtrade data was Zambia, with about 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 85% 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 740319, not only refined unwrought copper.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Zambia* ~$925M 17% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Pakistan $763M 14% of world exports
- 3 DR Congo* ~$675M 12% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $5.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $4.5B 85% of world imports
- 2 Taiwan* ~$254M 4.8% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 South Korea $78M 1.5% of world imports
World total: $5.3B 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 refined unwrought copper
Brazil classifies refined unwrought copper under NCM 7403.19.00: HS 7403.19 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about refined unwrought copper
What is the HS code for Refined unwrought copper?
The HS code for Refined unwrought copper is 740319 (Copper; refined, unwrought, n.e.c. in item no. 7403.1). The HS code for refined unwrought copper (other than cathodes, wire-bars, or billets) is 740319.
How do I classify Refined unwrought copper for customs?
Refined unwrought copper is classified under HS code 740319 — Copper; refined, unwrought, n.e.c. in item no. 7403.1. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What defines copper as "refined" in the HS system?
Refined copper must have a copper content of at least 99.85% by weight, or meet specific impurity thresholds defined in the legal notes of Chapter 74.
Which countries are the top exporters of refined unwrought copper (HS 740319)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 740319 (the code used for refined unwrought copper) in UN Comtrade data were Zambia (about $925M, 17% of world exports), Pakistan ($763M) and the DR Congo (about $675M). World exports came to about $5.5B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of refined unwrought copper (HS 740319)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 740319 (the code used for refined unwrought copper) in UN Comtrade data were China ($4.5B, 85% of world imports), Taiwan (about $254M) and South Korea ($78M). World imports came to about $5.3B, 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 Refined unwrought copper the same in all countries?
The base HS code 740319 for Refined unwrought copper 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 refined unwrought copper in Brazil?
In Brazil, refined unwrought copper (HS 740319) is classified under NCM 7403.19.00.