Product classification
HS code for Tungsten carbide inserts: 8209.00
Tools, plates, sticks, tips and the like for tools, unmounted, of sintered metal carbides or cermets.
Classification of tungsten carbide inserts under HS 8209.00
Tungsten carbide inserts are classified under HS code 8209.00. This code is found in Chapter 82, which covers tools, implements, cutlery, and parts thereof of base metal. Heading 8209 is unique as it specifically covers plates, sticks, tips, and the like for tools, unmounted, of sintered metal carbides or cermets. These inserts are typically used in industrial machining operations such as turning, milling, or drilling. The classification depends on two primary factors: the material composition (sintered metal carbides) and the fact that they are unmounted. If the carbide tip were already brazed, welded, or mechanically fixed to a tool holder, the entire assembly would be classified under the heading for the specific tool, such as 8207. However, as individual, replaceable components, they remain under 8209.00. The manufacturing process involves mixing tungsten carbide powder with a binder, usually cobalt, and sintering it into the desired shape. Because these items are essential components of interchangeable tools, they are classified based on their material and function as tool tips. This classification applies regardless of whether the inserts are coated with materials like titanium nitride to enhance durability.
- Covers
- Indexable tungsten carbide inserts
- Lathe tool tips (unmounted)
- Milling inserts
- Carbide drill tips
- Sintered carbide plates for tools
- Also under 8209.00
- Sandvik Coromant carbide inserts (unmounted)
- Kennametal carbide blanks
- Iscar cermet tips
- Sumitomo Electric carbide rods
- Ceratizit carbide plates
Codes often confused with 8209.00
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is under 8207, which covers the complete interchangeable tool (like a drill bit or milling cutter). Another error is 8113.00 for cermets, but 8209.00 is more specific for tool tips. Some also mistakenly use 2849.90, which is for the raw chemical compound.
Top exporters and importers of HS 820900 (the code used for tungsten carbide inserts), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 820900 (the code used for tungsten carbide inserts) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% 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 820900, not only tungsten carbide inserts.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $1.2B 20% of world exports
- 2 Japan $785M 13% of world exports
- 3 China $778M 13% of world exports
World total: $6.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.1B 18% of world imports
- 2 Germany $780M 13% of world imports
- 3 Italy $389M 6.5% of world imports
World total: $6.0B 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 codes for tungsten carbide inserts
Brazil splits HS 8209.00 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8209.00.11Interchangeable cermet tool inserts
- 8209.00.19Other cermet tool plates and inserts
- 8209.00.90Cermet tool sticks, tips and similar
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about tungsten carbide inserts
What is the HS code for Tungsten carbide inserts?
The HS code for Tungsten carbide inserts is 820900 (Tools; plates, sticks, tips and the like for tools, unmounted, of sintered metal carbides or cermets). The HS code for unmounted tungsten carbide inserts is 8209.00.
How do I classify Tungsten carbide inserts for customs?
Tungsten carbide inserts is classified under HS code 820900 — Tools; plates, sticks, tips and the like for tools, unmounted, of sintered metal carbides or cermets. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are these inserts classified differently if they are coated?
No, inserts coated with substances like TiN or Al2O3 for wear resistance remain classified under 8209.00.
Which countries are the top exporters of tungsten carbide inserts (HS 820900)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 820900 (the code used for tungsten carbide inserts) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($1.2B, 20% of world exports), Japan ($785M) and China ($778M). World exports came to about $6.2B, 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 tungsten carbide inserts (HS 820900)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 820900 (the code used for tungsten carbide inserts) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.1B, 18% of world imports), Germany ($780M) and Italy ($389M). World imports came to about $6.0B, 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 Tungsten carbide inserts the same in all countries?
The base HS code 820900 for Tungsten carbide inserts 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 tungsten carbide inserts in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 820900 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for tungsten carbide inserts depends on the product's details: 8209.00.11 (Interchangeable cermet tool inserts), 8209.00.19 (Other cermet tool plates and inserts), 8209.00.90 (Cermet tool sticks, tips and similar).