Product classification
HS code for Tungsten wire: 8101.96
Tungsten (wolfram), wire.
Classification of tungsten wire under HS 8101.96
Tungsten wire is classified under HS code 8101.96. This classification is determined by the General Rules for the Interpretation of the Harmonized System (GRI), specifically focusing on the material composition and the physical form of the product. Chapter 81 covers "Other base metals; cermets; articles thereof," and heading 8101 is dedicated specifically to tungsten (wolfram) and articles thereof, including waste and scrap. Within this heading, the code 8101.96 is reserved for wire. The classification process involves identifying the base metal as tungsten and then determining the specific shape or form, which in this case is wire—defined as a cold-formed product of any cross-sectional shape, usually supplied in coils. This code applies regardless of the wire's intended industrial application, whether for heating elements, lamp filaments, or specialized industrial electrodes, provided it has not been further worked into a specific identifiable part of another machine or apparatus. The purity of the tungsten and any minor alloying elements (such as thorium or rhenium) do not typically move the product out of this heading, as long as tungsten remains the predominant metal by weight.
- Covers
- Pure tungsten wire for lamp filaments
- Thoriated tungsten wire for TIG welding electrodes
- Rhenium-tungsten alloy wire
- Doped tungsten wire for high-temperature stability
- Fine tungsten wire for medical devices
- Also under 8101.96
- Philips tungsten filaments
- GE Lighting tungsten wire
- Plansee tungsten wire for medical devices
- Osram tungsten wire
- Heraeus tungsten wire
Codes often confused with 8101.96
Common mistake. Tungsten wire is frequently misclassified under HS code 8539.90, which covers parts of electric filament or discharge lamps. While tungsten wire is a primary component of lamp filaments, it is only classified under 8539 if it has been cut to length and shaped into a specific filament ready for assembly. Raw wire in coils remains under 8101.96. Another common error is using HS code 7217, which is reserved for wire made of iron or non-alloy steel. Because tungsten is a refractory base metal, it must be classified in its specific metal chapter (Chapter 81) rather than the chapters for ferrous metals (Chapters 72-73).
Top exporters and importers of HS 810196 (the code used for tungsten wire), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 810196 (the code used for tungsten wire) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 34% 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 810196, not only tungsten wire.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $48M 34% of world exports
- 2 Japan $17M 12% of world exports
- 3 Malaysia $17M 12% of world exports
World total: $140M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $30M 18% of world imports
- 2 Philippines $23M 14% of world imports
- 3 India $17M 10% of world imports
World total: $164M 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 wire
Brazil classifies tungsten wire under NCM 8101.96.00: HS 8101.96 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about tungsten wire
What is the HS code for Tungsten wire?
The HS code for Tungsten wire is 810196 (Tungsten (wolfram); wire). The primary HS code for tungsten wire is 8101.96, which specifically covers tungsten wire under the broader category of tungsten and articles thereof.
How do I classify Tungsten wire for customs?
Tungsten wire is classified under HS code 810196 — Tungsten (wolfram); wire. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is tungsten wire classified differently if it is used for welding?
No, tungsten wire used for welding electrodes is still classified under 8101.96, provided it is in wire form. However, finished welding electrodes that are cut to size and not in coils may sometimes be classified under 8515 or 8101.99 depending on their state of manufacture.
Which countries are the top exporters of tungsten wire (HS 810196)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 810196 (the code used for tungsten wire) in UN Comtrade data were China ($48M, 34% of world exports), Japan ($17M) and Malaysia ($17M). World exports came to about $140M, 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 wire (HS 810196)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 810196 (the code used for tungsten wire) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($30M, 18% of world imports), the Philippines ($23M) and India ($17M). World imports came to about $164M, 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 wire the same in all countries?
The base HS code 810196 for Tungsten wire 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 wire in Brazil?
In Brazil, tungsten wire (HS 810196) is classified under NCM 8101.96.00.