Product classification

HS code for Steel slag: 2619.00

Slag, dross, (other than granulated slag), scalings and other waste from the manufacture of iron or steel.

Classification of steel slag under HS 2619.00

Steel slag is classified under HS code 2619.00, which specifically covers slag, dross (other than granulated slag), scalings, and other waste resulting from the manufacture of iron or steel. This classification is determined by the material's origin as a byproduct of metallurgical processes. Unlike granulated slag, which is processed into a fine, glass-like substance for cement manufacturing, steel slag in this category typically consists of the stony waste separated from metals during smelting or refining. The classification follows the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) 1, as the heading text explicitly names waste from iron or steel manufacture. It is essential to distinguish these materials from ores or concentrates, as they are secondary products rather than primary mineral sources. The physical state—whether in lumps, powder, or dust—is a primary factor in determining the correct subheading within Chapter 26. The material must be a byproduct of the iron and steel industry to qualify here; if it is a byproduct of non-ferrous metal extraction, it would be moved to heading 2620. Furthermore, the absence of granulation is the defining characteristic that separates 2619.00 from 2618.00.

Covers
  • Steel furnace slag
  • Blast furnace dross
  • Iron scale from rolling mills
  • Smelting waste
  • Steel scrap residues
Also under 2619.00
  • POSCO (steel producer)
  • Nippon Steel (steel producer)
  • thyssenkrupp (steel producer)
  • various aggregate suppliers (e.g., CRH plc)

Codes often confused with 2619.00

Common mistake. Steel slag is frequently confused with HS code 2618.00, which is reserved exclusively for granulated slag (slag sand) from the manufacture of iron or steel. The distinction lies in the physical form; granulated slag is cooled rapidly with water or steam to create a glassy granule, whereas 2619.00 covers air-cooled or unprocessed slag. Additionally, if the slag contains significant amounts of other metals like lead, zinc, or copper, it may be classified under 2620.11 through 2620.99 depending on the predominant metal content.

2618.00Slag, granulated (slag sand); from the manufacture or iron or steel2620.11Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly zinc, hard zinc spelter2620.99Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly metals or their compounds, n.e.c. in heading no. 2620

Top exporters and importers of HS 261900 (the code used for steel slag), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 261900 (the code used for steel slag) in UN Comtrade data was India, with 13% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 30% 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 261900, not only steel slag.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 India $69M
  2. 2 United Arab Emirates* ~$43M
  3. 3 Belgium $42M

World total: $511M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Malaysia $147M
  2. 2 Indonesia $57M
  3. 3 Philippines $32M

World total: $489M 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 steel slag

Brazil classifies steel slag under NCM 2619.00.00: HS 2619.00 with 00 added.

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about steel slag

What is the HS code for Steel slag?

The HS code for Steel slag is 261900 (Slag, dross; (other than granulated slag), scalings and other waste from the manufacture of iron or steel). The HS code for steel slag (non-granulated) is 2619.00.

How do I classify Steel slag for customs?

Steel slag is classified under HS code 261900 — Slag, dross; (other than granulated slag), scalings and other waste from the manufacture of iron or steel. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Is granulated slag classified under the same code?

No, granulated slag is classified under HS code 2618.00 because it has undergone a specific cooling process to make it suitable for cement production.

Which countries are the top exporters of steel slag (HS 261900)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 261900 (the code used for steel slag) in UN Comtrade data were India ($69M, 13% of world exports), the United Arab Emirates (about $43M) and Belgium ($42M). World exports came to about $511M, 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 steel slag (HS 261900)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 261900 (the code used for steel slag) in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($147M, 30% of world imports), Indonesia ($57M) and the Philippines ($32M). World imports came to about $489M, 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 Steel slag the same in all countries?

The base HS code 261900 for Steel slag 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 steel slag in Brazil?

In Brazil, steel slag (HS 261900) is classified under NCM 2619.00.00.