HS Code for Tungsten ore

Tungsten ore is classified under HS code 261100 because it represents the raw mineral state as extracted from the earth, prior to significant chemical processing. Chapter 26 of the Harmonized System covers ores, slag, and ash, specifically targeting metallic ores and their concentrates. For a substance to be classified here, it must be a mineralogical species actually used in the metallurgical industry for the extraction of tungsten. This includes both the raw ore and concentrates obtained by treatments such as milling, magnetic separation, or flotation to remove gangue. The classification remains in 261100 as long as the chemical structure of the mineral has not been fundamentally altered by chemical processes beyond those necessary for concentration. The Harmonized System distinguishes between the crude mineral and chemically defined compounds; therefore, once the ore is processed into ammonium paratungstate (APT) or tungsten oxides, it moves to Chapter 28. According to the Explanatory Notes to Chapter 26, the term "ores" applies to metalliferous minerals associated with the substances in which they occur in nature and with which they are extracted from the mine. Concentrates are included if they have been treated to remove part or all of the foreign matter. This classification is vital for international trade statistics and the application of mining royalties.

Products Included

• Wolframite concentrates obtained through physical separation
• Scheelite ore in its natural mineral state
• Ferberite minerals extracted from vein deposits
• Huebnerite concentrates used for metallurgical extraction
• Crude tungsten ores prior to enrichment
• Tungsten-bearing sands and alluvial deposits

Common Misclassification

Tungsten ore is frequently confused with tungsten oxides and hydroxides classified under HS code 282590. The distinction lies in the level of processing; 261100 is for naturally occurring minerals and their physical concentrates, while 282590 is for chemically produced oxides. Another common error is misclassifying it as tungsten powder (810110), which is a refined metal product, not a mineral ore. Furthermore, ash and residues containing tungsten are classified under 262099 rather than 261100, as they are by-products of metallurgical processes rather than primary ores.

FAQ

What is the HS code for Tungsten ore?

The HS code for tungsten ore and its concentrates is 261100.

Are tungsten concentrates classified differently than raw ore?

No, both raw tungsten ores and the concentrates derived from them through physical or mechanical processes are classified under HS code 261100, provided no chemical alteration has occurred.