Product classification
HS code for Tungsten scrap: 8101.97
Tungsten (wolfram), waste and scrap.
Classification of tungsten scrap under HS 8101.97
Tungsten waste and scrap are classified under HS code 810197. This code is designated for tungsten materials that are no longer fit for their original purpose due to breakage, wear, or other reasons, as well as manufacturing waste like turnings and shavings. Under the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), scrap must be fit only for the recovery of metal or for use as a basis for the manufacture of chemical compounds. This classification is crucial for the recycling industry, distinguishing secondary raw materials from primary ores (Chapter 26) or finished articles. The material must be in a state that requires smelting or chemical processing to be reused. If the item can be repaired or used for its original purpose, it cannot be classified as scrap. This code specifically excludes waste and scrap of cermets, such as tungsten carbide tools, which are often classified under 811300. The distinction between "waste" (manufacturing by-products) and "scrap" (worn-out articles) is important for customs valuation and environmental regulations regarding the transboundary movement of hazardous waste. Proper documentation must prove that the material is intended for recycling rather than disposal, as many jurisdictions have strict controls on the international trade of metal scrap.
- Covers
- Broken tungsten filaments from lamps
- Spent tungsten electrodes from welding or lighting
- Tungsten machining turnings and shavings
- Tungsten chips and filings from industrial processes
- Discarded tungsten rod ends and plate offcuts
- Also under 8101.97
- Recycled tungsten carbide inserts
- Tungsten-containing battery scrap
- Tungsten lamp filament waste
- Tungsten alloy machining chips
- Spent X-ray tube components
Codes often confused with 8101.97
Common mistake. A common misclassification occurs with tungsten carbide scrap. While pure tungsten scrap is 810197, tungsten carbide (a cermet) scrap is properly classified under HS code 811300. Additionally, some may confuse scrap with ash and residues containing tungsten, which are classified under 262099. The distinction is that 810197 is for metallic waste, while 2620 is for metallurgical residues like slag or sludge. Unwrought tungsten (810194) is also sometimes confused with high-quality scrap.
Top exporters and importers of HS 810197 (the code used for tungsten scrap), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 810197 (the code used for tungsten scrap) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 39% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 34% 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 810197, not only tungsten scrap.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $284M 39% of world exports
- 2 India $62M 8.5% of world exports
- 3 Japan $59M 8.1% of world exports
World total: $725M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $237M 34% of world imports
- 2 United States $115M 17% of world imports
- 3 Finland $76M 11% of world imports
World total: $692M 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 code for tungsten scrap
Brazil classifies tungsten scrap under NCM 8101.97.00: HS 8101.97 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about tungsten scrap
What is the HS code for Tungsten scrap?
The HS code for Tungsten scrap is 810197 (Tungsten (wolfram); waste and scrap). The HS code for tungsten waste and scrap is 810197.
How do I classify Tungsten scrap for customs?
Tungsten scrap is classified under HS code 810197 — Tungsten (wolfram); waste and scrap. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does 810197 include tungsten carbide inserts?
Generally, no. Tungsten carbide is considered a cermet, and its waste or scrap is typically classified under HS code 811300.
Which countries are the top exporters of tungsten scrap (HS 810197)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 810197 (the code used for tungsten scrap) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($284M, 39% of world exports), India ($62M) and Japan ($59M). World exports came to about $725M, 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 scrap (HS 810197)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 810197 (the code used for tungsten scrap) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($237M, 34% of world imports), the United States ($115M) and Finland ($76M). World imports came to about $692M, 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 scrap the same in all countries?
The base HS code 810197 for Tungsten scrap 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 scrap in Brazil?
In Brazil, tungsten scrap (HS 810197) is classified under NCM 8101.97.00.