Product classification
HS code for Unwrought zirconium: 8109.29
Zirconium, unwrought, powders, containing not less than 1 part hafnium to 500 parts zirconium by weight.
Classification of unwrought zirconium under HS 8109.29
Zirconium is a lustrous, grey-white, strong transition metal that resembles hafnium. It is classified under HS code 8109.29 when it is in an unwrought form or powder and contains a specific ratio of hafnium. Specifically, this code applies to zirconium containing not less than 1 part hafnium to 500 parts zirconium by weight. This distinction is critical because zirconium and hafnium are often found together in nature and are difficult to separate. Chapter 81 covers "Other base metals," and heading 8109 is dedicated to zirconium. The subheading 8109.29 is used for the "standard" grade of zirconium used in many industrial applications. If the zirconium has a lower hafnium content (less than 1 part per 500), it is classified under 8109.21, which is often referred to as "nuclear grade" zirconium due to its use in nuclear reactors where hafnium's neutron-absorbing properties are undesirable. Unwrought forms include ingots, blocks, and lumps produced by melting or sintering.
- Covers
- Unwrought zirconium ingots (high hafnium)
- Zirconium powders with >0.2% hafnium
- Zirconium lumps and billets
- Primary zirconium slabs
- Zirconium sponge (standard grade)
- Also under 8109.29
- Zirconium-niobium alloy powder
- Zirconium oxide precursor powder
- Zirconium master alloys
Codes often confused with 8109.29
Common mistake. The primary source of misclassification for zirconium is the hafnium content. HS code 8109.21 is specifically for zirconium with a low hafnium content (less than 1 part hafnium to 500 parts zirconium), while 8109.29 is for the standard grade. Misidentifying the grade can lead to significant regulatory issues, especially in the context of dual-use goods and nuclear non-proliferation controls. Furthermore, zirconium waste and scrap should be classified under 8109.31 or 8109.39. Finished articles of zirconium, such as pipes or crucibles, belong in 8109.91 or 8109.99. It is also vital not to confuse metallic zirconium with zirconium silicate (zircon sand), which is classified under 2615.10.
Top exporters and importers of HS 810929 (the code used for unwrought zirconium), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 810929 (the code used for unwrought zirconium) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 66% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Czechia, with 14% 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 810929, not only unwrought zirconium.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $22M 66% of world exports
- 2 China $4.7M 14% of world exports
- 3 Sweden $2.9M 8.7% of world exports
World total: $33M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Czechia $5.9M 14% of world imports
- 2 Germany $4.4M 11% of world imports
- 3 France $4.4M 10% of world imports
World total: $42M 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 unwrought zirconium
Brazil classifies unwrought zirconium under NCM 8109.29.00: HS 8109.29 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about unwrought zirconium
What is the HS code for Unwrought zirconium?
The HS code for Unwrought zirconium is 810929 (Zirconium; unwrought, powders, containing not less than 1 part hafnium to 500 parts zirconium by weight). The HS code for unwrought zirconium (containing at least 1 part hafnium per 500 parts zirconium) is 8109.29.
How do I classify Unwrought zirconium for customs?
Unwrought zirconium is classified under HS code 810929 — Zirconium; unwrought, powders, containing not less than 1 part hafnium to 500 parts zirconium by weight. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Why is hafnium content important for zirconium classification?
Hafnium content determines whether the zirconium is classified as "nuclear grade" (8109.21) or "standard grade" (8109.29). Nuclear grade zirconium must have very low hafnium levels to be used in reactor cores.
Which countries are the top exporters of unwrought zirconium (HS 810929)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 810929 (the code used for unwrought zirconium) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($22M, 66% of world exports), China ($4.7M) and Sweden ($2.9M). World exports came to about $33M, 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 zirconium (HS 810929)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 810929 (the code used for unwrought zirconium) in UN Comtrade data were Czechia ($5.9M, 14% of world imports), Germany ($4.4M) and France ($4.4M). World imports came to about $42M, 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 zirconium the same in all countries?
The base HS code 810929 for Unwrought zirconium 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 zirconium in Brazil?
In Brazil, unwrought zirconium (HS 810929) is classified under NCM 8109.29.00.