Product classification
HS code for Tantalum ore: 2615.90
Niobium, tantalum, vanadium ores and concentrates.
Classification of tantalum ore under HS 2615.90
Tantalum ore is classified under HS code 2615.90. This code is situated within Chapter 26, which covers ores, slag, and ash. Heading 2615 specifically includes niobium, tantalum, and vanadium ores and their concentrates. Tantalum is rarely found as a free element in nature; it usually occurs in minerals such as tantalite, columbite, and microlite. The term "concentrates" refers to ores which have had part or all of the foreign matter removed by special treatments, such as enrichment by physical or chemical means, provided that these treatments do not alter the chemical state of the metal. The classification of tantalum ore under 2615.90 is straightforward according to GRI 1, as the heading text explicitly names tantalum ores. This classification is vital for international trade statistics and the application of tariffs, as tantalum is considered a critical raw material for the electronics and aerospace industries. The "90" suffix indicates the "Other" category within the 2615 heading, as niobium (columbium) and tantalum are often grouped together in trade nomenclature due to their similar chemical properties and frequent occurrence in the same mineral deposits.
- Covers
- Tantalite ore
- Columbite-tantalite (Coltan) concentrates
- Microlite mineral specimens
- Struverite concentrates
- Tantalum-bearing mineral sands
- Also under 2615.90
- CBMM (Brazil - Niobium)
- AMG Critical Materials (Brazil/Germany - Tantalum)
- Bushveld Minerals (South Africa - Vanadium)
- Global Advanced Metals (Australia/US - Tantalum)
Codes often confused with 2615.90
Common mistake. Tantalum ore is sometimes misclassified under HS code 2620.91, which covers slag, ash, and residues containing antimony, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, or their mixtures. However, 2620 is for industrial byproducts, whereas 2615.90 is for naturally occurring minerals and their concentrates. It may also be confused with 2804.90 for chemical elements, but ores are strictly raw mineral forms.
Top exporters and importers of HS 261590 (the code used for tantalum ore), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 261590 (the code used for tantalum ore) in UN Comtrade data was Rwanda, with about 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 65% 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 261590, not only tantalum ore.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Rwanda* ~$166M 37% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Malaysia $59M 13% of world exports
- 3 DR Congo* ~$53M 12% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $446M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $416M 65% of world imports
- 2 Thailand $92M 15% of world imports
- 3 Malaysia $52M 8.2% of world imports
World total: $636M 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 tantalum ore
Brazil classifies tantalum ore under NCM 2615.90.00: HS 2615.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about tantalum ore
What is the HS code for Tantalum ore?
The HS code for Tantalum ore is 261590 (Niobium, tantalum, vanadium ores and concentrates). The HS code for tantalum ore and its concentrates is 2615.90.
How do I classify Tantalum ore for customs?
Tantalum ore is classified under HS code 261590 — Niobium, tantalum, vanadium ores and concentrates. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include processed tantalum powder?
No, processed tantalum powder is classified under HS code 8103.20 as unwrought tantalum, as it has undergone chemical transformation beyond the concentrate stage.
Which countries are the top exporters of tantalum ore (HS 261590)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 261590 (the code used for tantalum ore) in UN Comtrade data were Rwanda (about $166M, 37% of world exports), Malaysia ($59M) and the DR Congo (about $53M). World exports came to about $446M, 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 ore (HS 261590)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 261590 (the code used for tantalum ore) in UN Comtrade data were China ($416M, 65% of world imports), Thailand ($92M) and Malaysia ($52M). World imports came to about $636M, 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 ore the same in all countries?
The base HS code 261590 for Tantalum ore 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 ore in Brazil?
In Brazil, tantalum ore (HS 261590) is classified under NCM 2615.90.00.