HS Code for Scrap cobalt

Scrap cobalt is classified under HS code 8105.30, which specifically addresses cobalt waste and scrap. This classification is part of Chapter 81, which covers "Other base metals; cermets; articles thereof." The determination for this code relies on the material being "waste and scrap," defined as 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. Cobalt scrap often originates from the aerospace industry, where cobalt-based superalloys are used in turbine blades, or from the production of rechargeable batteries and chemical catalysts. To qualify for 8105.30, the material must be primarily cobalt by weight and must be intended for recovery of the metal or for use in the manufacture of chemicals. This code excludes cobalt ores and concentrates, which are found in Chapter 26, and focuses strictly on the secondary raw material stream generated from industrial processes or end-of-life products.

Products Included

• Cobalt alloy scrap (predominantly cobalt)
• Machining turnings and shavings of cobalt
• Rejected cobalt-based turbine blades
• Spent cobalt catalysts in metallic form
• Broken cobalt-containing tool bits

Common Misclassification

One common misclassification is HS code 2605.00, which is for cobalt ores and concentrates; scrap is a processed metal product, not a raw mineral. Another error involves HS code 8105.20, which covers unwrought cobalt (virgin metal ingots or powders). If the material has been used or is a byproduct of manufacturing, it must be classified as scrap. Furthermore, lithium-ion battery scrap containing cobalt is often misclassified here, but it should generally be classified under 8548 or 8549 depending on the specific nature of the waste and the current version of the HS nomenclature.

FAQ

What is the HS code for cobalt scrap?

The specific HS code for cobalt waste and scrap is 8105.30.

Can cobalt-based alloys be classified under 8105.30?

Yes, provided that cobalt is the predominant metal by weight in the alloy and the material meets the definition of waste or scrap.