Product classification
HS code for Thallium metal: 8112.59
Thallium and articles thereof, other than unwrought thallium, powders or waste and scrap.
Classification of thallium metal under HS 8112.59
Thallium metal and articles thereof that have been further worked beyond the unwrought stage are classified under HS code 8112.59. This classification is part of Chapter 81, which covers other base metals and cermets. According to the General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System (GRI), specifically GRI 1 and 6, products are classified based on their material composition and degree of manufacture. Heading 8112 is reserved for metals like thallium, gallium, and hafnium. Subheading 8112.59 specifically captures thallium in forms such as rods, wires, plates, and sheets, as well as finished articles made of thallium. This code excludes unwrought thallium (raw ingots or blocks) and powders, which are classified elsewhere. The classification ensures that semi-finished and finished thallium products are distinguished from primary raw materials for trade and regulatory purposes, which is particularly important given thallium's high toxicity and specialized industrial applications in optics and electronics.
- Covers
- Thallium rods and bars
- Thallium wire
- Thallium plates, sheets, and strip
- Thallium foil
- Finished articles made of thallium for industrial use
- Thallium tubes and pipes
- Also under 8112.59
- Hamamatsu Photonics (infrared detectors)
- Saint-Gobain Crystals (scintillators)
- Thorlabs (optical components)
- Edmund Optics (specialty lenses)
- Teledyne FLIR (thermal imaging components)
Codes often confused with 8112.59
Common mistake. Thallium products are frequently misclassified under 8112.51, which is strictly for unwrought thallium and powders. Another common error is using 8112.52, which is reserved for waste and scrap. If the thallium is in the form of a chemical compound rather than a metal article, it should be classified in Chapter 28 (e.g., 2852 for thallium compounds).
Top exporters and importers of HS 811259 (the code used for thallium metal), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 811259 (the code used for thallium metal) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 82% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 95% 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 811259, not only thallium metal.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $158K 82% of world exports
- 2 Togo* ~$15K 7.7% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Japan $14K 7.1% of world exports
World total: $194K Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Malaysia $4.0M 95% of world imports
- 2 Romania $120K 2.8% of world imports
- 3 United States $50K 1.2% of world imports
World total: $4.2M 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 thallium metal
Brazil classifies thallium metal under NCM 8112.59.00: HS 8112.59 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about thallium metal
What is the HS code for Thallium metal?
The HS code for Thallium metal is 811259 (Thallium and articles thereof; other than unwrought thallium, powders or waste and scrap). The HS code for thallium metal in the form of articles, rods, or wires is 8112.59. Unwrought thallium is 8112.51.
How do I classify Thallium metal for customs?
Thallium metal is classified under HS code 811259 — Thallium and articles thereof; other than unwrought thallium, powders or waste and scrap. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is thallium powder classified under this code?
No, thallium powder is classified under HS code 8112.51 along with other unwrought forms of the metal.
Which countries are the top exporters of thallium metal (HS 811259)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 811259 (the code used for thallium metal) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($158K, 82% of world exports), Togo (about $15K) and Japan ($14K). World exports came to about $194K, 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 thallium metal (HS 811259)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 811259 (the code used for thallium metal) in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($4.0M, 95% of world imports), Romania ($120K) and the United States ($50K). World imports came to about $4.2M, 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 Thallium metal the same in all countries?
The base HS code 811259 for Thallium metal 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 thallium metal in Brazil?
In Brazil, thallium metal (HS 811259) is classified under NCM 8112.59.00.