Product classification
HS code for Tungsten ore: 2611.00
Tungsten ores and concentrates.
Classification of tungsten ore under HS 2611.00
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.
- Covers
- 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
- Also under 2611.00
- China Minmetals
- Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin)
- Almonty Industries (Spain/Portugal)
- W Resources (Spain)
Codes often confused with 2611.00
Common mistake. 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.
Top exporters and importers of HS 261100 (the code used for tungsten ore), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 261100 (the code used for tungsten ore) in UN Comtrade data was Kazakhstan, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 72% 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 261100, not only tungsten ore.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Kazakhstan $62M 18% of world exports
- 2 Bolivia $58M 17% of world exports
- 3 Australia $36M 10% of world exports
World total: $344M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $355M 72% of world imports
- 2 United States $74M 15% of world imports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$44M 9.0% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $493M 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 tungsten ore
Brazil classifies tungsten ore under NCM 2611.00.00: HS 2611.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about tungsten ore
What is the HS code for Tungsten ore?
The HS code for Tungsten ore is 261100 (Tungsten ores and concentrates). The HS code for tungsten ore and its concentrates is 261100.
How do I classify Tungsten ore for customs?
Tungsten ore is classified under HS code 261100 — Tungsten ores and concentrates. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
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.
Which countries are the top exporters of tungsten ore (HS 261100)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 261100 (the code used for tungsten ore) in UN Comtrade data were Kazakhstan ($62M, 18% of world exports), Bolivia ($58M) and Australia ($36M). World exports came to about $344M, 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 ore (HS 261100)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 261100 (the code used for tungsten ore) in UN Comtrade data were China ($355M, 72% of world imports), the United States ($74M) and Vietnam (about $44M). World imports came to about $493M, 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 ore the same in all countries?
The base HS code 261100 for Tungsten 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 tungsten ore in Brazil?
In Brazil, tungsten ore (HS 261100) is classified under NCM 2611.00.00.