Product classification
HS code for Tantalum implants: 8103.99
Tantalum, articles n.e.c. in heading no. 8103.
Classification of tantalum implants under HS 8103.99
Tantalum implants are classified under HS code 8103.99, which covers articles of tantalum not elsewhere specified or included. This classification is primarily determined by the material composition of the product. Tantalum is a transition metal highly valued in the medical industry for its exceptional biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and radiopacity. While many medical devices are classified under Chapter 90, basic tantalum components such as plates, rods, or wires that have not been further worked into complex orthopedic appliances or identifiable parts of instruments are categorized by their constituent material. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) 1 and 6, the specific heading for tantalum (8103) takes precedence when the article is essentially a shaped piece of the metal intended for surgical use but lacking the complexity of a finished medical apparatus. The durability of tantalum in bodily fluids makes it ideal for permanent bone repair and cranial reconstruction, and because it is a base metal article, it falls under Section XV of the Harmonized System.
- Covers
- Tantalum bone plates
- Tantalum surgical screws
- Tantalum cranial mesh
- Tantalum wire for surgical sutures
- Tantalum markers for radiography
- Also under 8103.99
- Global Advanced Metals Tantalum Heat Exchangers
- H.C. Starck Tantalum Sputtering Targets
- Zimmer Biomet Tantalum Implants
- Ningxia Orient Tantalum Industry Tantalum Tubes
Codes often confused with 8103.99
Common mistake. Tantalum implants are frequently misclassified under HS code 9021.10, which covers orthopedic appliances and fracture appliances. The distinction lies in the degree of manufacture; if the item is a simple screw or plate that requires further assembly or is a generic metal shape, it remains in 8103.99. Additionally, tantalum powder is sometimes confused with this code but belongs under 8103.20.
Top exporters and importers of HS 810399 (the code used for tantalum implants), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 810399 (the code used for tantalum implants) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 60% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 34% 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 810399, not only tantalum implants.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $193M 60% of world exports
- 2 United States $81M 25% of world exports
- 3 Germany $11M 3.4% of world exports
World total: $322M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 South Korea $117M 34% of world imports
- 2 China $63M 18% of world imports
- 3 United States $48M 14% of world imports
World total: $348M 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 tantalum implants
Brazil classifies tantalum implants under NCM 8103.99.00: HS 8103.99 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about tantalum implants
What is the HS code for Tantalum implants?
The HS code for Tantalum implants is 810399 (Tantalum; articles n.e.c. in heading no. 8103). The HS code for tantalum implants, when classified as articles of tantalum, is 8103.99.
How do I classify Tantalum implants for customs?
Tantalum implants is classified under HS code 810399 — Tantalum; articles n.e.c. in heading no. 8103. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are tantalum implants considered medical devices for customs purposes?
While they are used in medical procedures, for customs classification, they are often treated as articles of base metal under Chapter 81 unless they meet the specific criteria for finished orthopedic appliances in Chapter 90.
Which countries are the top exporters of tantalum implants (HS 810399)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 810399 (the code used for tantalum implants) in UN Comtrade data were China ($193M, 60% of world exports), the United States ($81M) and Germany ($11M). World exports came to about $322M, 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 tantalum implants (HS 810399)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 810399 (the code used for tantalum implants) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($117M, 34% of world imports), China ($63M) and the United States ($48M). World imports came to about $348M, 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 Tantalum implants the same in all countries?
The base HS code 810399 for Tantalum implants 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 tantalum implants in Brazil?
In Brazil, tantalum implants (HS 810399) is classified under NCM 8103.99.00.