Product classification
HS code for Scrap chromium: 8112.22
Chromium, waste and scrap.
Classification of scrap chromium under HS 8112.22
Chromium waste and scrap are classified under HS code 8112.22. This classification falls under Chapter 81, which deals with "Other base metals; cermets; articles thereof." Chromium is a critical industrial metal, and its scrap is categorized separately from its ores or its unwrought forms. The definition of waste and scrap under Section XV of the HS nomenclature applies here: metallic waste and scrap from the manufacture or mechanical working of metals, and metal goods definitely not usable as such because of breakage, cutting-up, wear, or other reasons. This classification is vital for distinguishing pure chromium scrap from chromium-containing alloys like stainless steel, which have their own specific headings in the HS system. Under GRI 1, the heading 8112 is the starting point for chromium, and GRI 6 directs the user to the specific subheading 8112.22 for waste and scrap. This ensures that the material is recognized as a secondary source of chromium metal, often destined for the production of specialty non-ferrous alloys or chemical compounds. Accurate classification prevents the misapplication of tariffs and ensures compliance with international trade regulations regarding metallic residues. It is important to note that the scrap must be metallic; chromium oxides or other chemical residues are classified elsewhere.
- Covers
- Chromium metal shavings and turnings from high-purity alloy production
- Discarded chromium plating anodes that have been depleted or broken
- Scrap chromium metal from the manufacture of superalloys
- Broken chromium ingots that do not meet specifications for unwrought metal
- Worn-out chromium-based sputtering targets used in thin-film deposition
- Also under 8112.22
- ELG Haniel's stainless steel scrap
- Sims Metal Management's alloy scrap
- specialized metal recyclers handling industrial chromium waste
Codes often confused with 8112.22
Common mistake. Chromium scrap is frequently misclassified as stainless steel scrap (HS code 7204.21). While stainless steel contains chromium, it is a ferrous alloy where iron predominates by weight, placing it in Chapter 72. HS code 8112.22 is reserved for scrap where chromium is the primary metal. Another common error is confusing it with chromium ores and concentrates (HS code 2610.00). Additionally, unwrought chromium is classified under 8112.21, and the distinction depends on whether the material is a primary product or a waste byproduct.
Top exporters and importers of HS 811222 (the code used for scrap chromium), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 811222 (the code used for scrap chromium) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 61% 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 811222, not only scrap chromium.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $6.3M 37% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $5.9M 34% of world exports
- 3 Canada $1.4M 8.3% of world exports
World total: $17M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $6.3M 61% of world imports
- 2 Germany $1.8M 18% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $626K 6.1% of world imports
World total: $10M 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 scrap chromium
Brazil classifies scrap chromium under NCM 8112.22.00: HS 8112.22 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about scrap chromium
What is the HS code for Scrap chromium?
The HS code for Scrap chromium is 811222 (Chromium; waste and scrap). The HS code for scrap chromium is 8112.22.
How do I classify Scrap chromium for customs?
Scrap chromium is classified under HS code 811222 — Chromium; waste and scrap. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is ferro-chromium scrap classified here?
No, ferro-chromium is an intermediate product used in steelmaking and is classified under heading 7202, even in scrap form if it retains its character.
Which countries are the top exporters of scrap chromium (HS 811222)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 811222 (the code used for scrap chromium) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($6.3M, 37% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($5.9M) and Canada ($1.4M). 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 scrap chromium (HS 811222)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 811222 (the code used for scrap chromium) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($6.3M, 61% of world imports), Germany ($1.8M) and the United Kingdom ($626K). World imports came to about $10M, 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 chromium the same in all countries?
The base HS code 811222 for Scrap chromium 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 chromium in Brazil?
In Brazil, scrap chromium (HS 811222) is classified under NCM 8112.22.00.