Product classification
HS code for Unwrought cobalt: 8105.20
Cobalt, mattes and other intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy, unwrought cobalt, powders.
Classification of unwrought cobalt under HS 8105.20
Unwrought cobalt is classified under HS code 8105.20. This classification is part of Chapter 81, which encompasses cobalt mattes and other intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy, as well as the unwrought metal and its powders. The classification is based on the product's stage of refinement and its physical form. Unwrought cobalt refers to the metal in its initial cast or sintered forms, such as cathodes, ingots, pellets, or briquettes, which have not yet been rolled, forged, or otherwise worked into specific shapes. The inclusion of mattes and intermediate products in this subheading reflects the metallurgical process where cobalt is extracted from ores. For customs purposes, the material must be in a primary form to qualify for 8105.20, as any further processing would shift the classification to subheadings for semi-finished or finished goods.
- Covers
- Cobalt cathodes and ingots
- Cobalt pellets and briquettes
- Cobalt powders
- Cobalt mattes
- Intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy
- Also under 8105.20
- Glencore cobalt cathodes
- Umicore cobalt powder
- Sumitomo cobalt briquettes
- Tesla battery-grade cobalt
- Samsung SDI cobalt raw material
Codes often confused with 8105.20
Common mistake. A frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 8105.30, which is reserved for cobalt waste and scrap. Distinguishing between unwrought metal and scrap is vital, as scrap consists of residues from manufacturing or worn-out articles. Additionally, HS code 8105.90 is often incorrectly used for unwrought forms; however, 8105.90 is a residual category for "other" cobalt products, including semi-manufactured shapes like wire, plates, and finished articles of cobalt.
Top exporters and importers of HS 810520 (the code used for unwrought cobalt), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 810520 (the code used for unwrought cobalt) in UN Comtrade data was the DR Congo, with about 44% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 59% 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 810520, not only unwrought cobalt.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 DR Congo* ~$1.9B 44% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 China $499M 12% of world exports
- 3 Canada $333M 7.9% of world exports
World total: $4.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $2.2B 59% of world imports
- 2 United States $397M 11% of world imports
- 3 Japan $133M 3.6% of world imports
World total: $3.7B 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 codes for unwrought cobalt
Brazil splits HS 8105.20 into 4 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8105.20.10Unwrought cobalt
- 8105.20.21Cobalt-chromium-tungsten (stellite) powders
- 8105.20.29Other cobalt powders
- 8105.20.90Cobalt mattes and other intermediate products
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about unwrought cobalt
What is the HS code for Unwrought cobalt?
The HS code for Unwrought cobalt is 810520 (Cobalt; mattes and other intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy, unwrought cobalt, powders). The HS code for unwrought cobalt, including powders and metallurgical intermediates, is 8105.20.
How do I classify Unwrought cobalt for customs?
Unwrought cobalt is classified under HS code 810520 — Cobalt; mattes and other intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy, unwrought cobalt, powders. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are cobalt powders classified differently than ingots?
No, both cobalt powders and unwrought forms like ingots are grouped together under the 8105.20 subheading.
Which countries are the top exporters of unwrought cobalt (HS 810520)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 810520 (the code used for unwrought cobalt) in UN Comtrade data were the DR Congo (about $1.9B, 44% of world exports), China ($499M) and Canada ($333M). World exports came to about $4.2B, 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 unwrought cobalt (HS 810520)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 810520 (the code used for unwrought cobalt) in UN Comtrade data were China ($2.2B, 59% of world imports), the United States ($397M) and Japan ($133M). World imports came to about $3.7B, 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 Unwrought cobalt the same in all countries?
The base HS code 810520 for Unwrought cobalt 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 unwrought cobalt in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 810520 into 4 NCM codes, so the right one for unwrought cobalt depends on the product's details: 8105.20.10 (Unwrought cobalt), 8105.20.21 (Cobalt-chromium-tungsten (stellite) powders), 8105.20.29 (Other cobalt powders), 8105.20.90 (Cobalt mattes and other intermediate products).