Product classification
HS code for Scrap cadmium: 8112.61
Cadmium, waste and scrap.
Classification of scrap cadmium under HS 8112.61
Cadmium waste and scrap are classified under HS code 8112.61. This code is part of the broader heading 8112, which encompasses metals like beryllium, chromium, and vanadium. The classification is determined by the material's state as "waste and scrap," defined in the Harmonized System as products generally fit only for the recovery of metal or for use in the manufacture of chemicals. Cadmium is highly regulated due to its toxicity, and its classification under 8112.61 is essential for environmental and trade monitoring. The classification follows GRI 1 and 6, ensuring that the specific subheading for cadmium waste is utilized over more general categories. Section XV of the HS nomenclature provides the legal basis for this classification, noting that base metal alloys are classified according to the metal that predominates by weight. Therefore, for scrap to be classified here, cadmium must be the primary metallic component. This code is crucial for the circular economy, allowing for the legal and tracked movement of cadmium-containing industrial waste for metal reclamation. It also facilitates compliance with the Basel Convention regarding the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes, as cadmium scrap is often subject to stringent environmental controls.
- Covers
- Cadmium shavings and waste from the production of cadmium-plated articles
- Spent cadmium anodes used in electroplating processes
- Broken cadmium rods or wires that are no longer fit for industrial use
- Residues from the manufacture of cadmium-based pigments if metallic in nature
- Defective cadmium-containing alloys where cadmium is the predominant metal
- Also under 8112.61
- Umicore (battery recycling)
- Recyclex (metal recycling)
- Accurec (battery recycling)
- Boliden (metal recycling)
- Glencore (recycling services)
Codes often confused with 8112.61
Common mistake. The most common misclassification for cadmium scrap involves spent batteries. Nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) batteries that are exhausted or broken are classified under HS code 8548.10 (waste and scrap of primary cells and batteries) rather than 8112.61. Another error is using 8112.69, which is the "other" category for cadmium, including wrought articles. Additionally, cadmium ores are classified under 2617.90, and cadmium-coated steel scrap is typically classified as ferrous scrap under heading 7204.
Top exporters and importers of HS 811261 (the code used for scrap cadmium), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 811261 (the code used for scrap cadmium) in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 80% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 80% 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 811261, not only scrap cadmium.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 South Korea $1.1M 80% of world exports
- 2 Germany $132K 9.5% of world exports
- 3 Japan $70K 5.0% of world exports
World total: $1.4M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $83K 80% of world imports
- 2 Spain $12K 12% of world imports
- 3 Guyana* ~$5K 4.6% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $104K 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 scrap cadmium
Brazil classifies scrap cadmium under NCM 8112.61.00: HS 8112.61 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about scrap cadmium
What is the HS code for Scrap cadmium?
The HS code for Scrap cadmium is 811261 (Cadmium; waste and scrap). The HS code for scrap cadmium is 8112.61.
How do I classify Scrap cadmium for customs?
Scrap cadmium is classified under HS code 811261 — Cadmium; waste and scrap. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can cadmium-coated steel scrap be classified here?
No, cadmium-coated steel is typically classified as ferrous scrap under heading 7204, as the steel base predominates by weight.
Which countries are the top exporters of scrap cadmium (HS 811261)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 811261 (the code used for scrap cadmium) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($1.1M, 80% of world exports), Germany ($132K) and Japan ($70K). World exports came to about $1.4M, 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 scrap cadmium (HS 811261)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 811261 (the code used for scrap cadmium) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($83K, 80% of world imports), Spain ($12K) and Guyana (about $5K). World imports came to about $104K, 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 Scrap cadmium the same in all countries?
The base HS code 811261 for Scrap cadmium 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 scrap cadmium in Brazil?
In Brazil, scrap cadmium (HS 811261) is classified under NCM 8112.61.00.