Product classification
HS code for Waste zinc: 7902.00
Zinc, waste and scrap.
Classification of waste zinc under HS 7902.00
Waste zinc is classified under HS code 7902.00. This code is found in Chapter 79, which covers zinc and articles thereof. The classification is straightforward as 7902.00 is a dedicated heading for zinc waste and scrap. According to the Harmonized System's General Rules of Interpretation, this code applies to metallic zinc recovered from worn-out articles or generated as a byproduct of manufacturing processes like die-casting or galvanizing. To be classified here, the material must be in a state that renders it unusable for its original purpose, intended only for metal recovery or chemical production. Zinc scrap is a major commodity in the recycling industry, often appearing as old roofing sheets, die-cast components from the automotive industry, or residues from galvanizing baths that have solidified into metallic chunks. It is important to distinguish between metallic scrap and chemical residues like zinc oxide, which have different industrial applications and classification paths.
- Covers
- Old zinc roofing sheets and gutters
- Zinc die-cast scrap from automotive parts or toys
- Galvanizing dross (top dross) that is primarily metallic
- Zinc battery casings (cleaned of electrolytes and carbon)
- Clippings and trimmings from zinc plate manufacturing
- Also under 7902.00
- Scrap collected by Sims Metal Management
- EMR Group zinc scrap
- Schnitzer Steel zinc waste
- specialized zinc recyclers' dross
Codes often confused with 7902.00
Common mistake. The most common misclassification for waste zinc is HS code 2620.11, which covers hard zinc spelter, or 2620.19 for other zinc-containing ash and residues. These codes are for metallurgical byproducts that are not purely metallic scrap. Another error is using 7901.11, which is for unwrought non-alloyed zinc. If scrap has been melted and refined into ingots, it must be classified as unwrought metal under 7901 rather than waste under 7902.
Top exporters and importers of HS 790200 (the code used for waste zinc), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 790200 (the code used for waste zinc) in UN Comtrade data was France, with 16% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 39% 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 790200, not only waste zinc.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 France $118M 16% of world exports
- 2 Germany $104M 14% of world exports
- 3 Malaysia $90M 12% of world exports
World total: $736M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $236M 39% of world imports
- 2 Italy $120M 20% of world imports
- 3 Belgium $70M 12% of world imports
World total: $607M 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 waste zinc
Brazil classifies waste zinc under NCM 7902.00.00: HS 7902.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about waste zinc
What is the HS code for Waste zinc?
The HS code for Waste zinc is 790200 (Zinc; waste and scrap). The HS code for zinc waste and scrap is 7902.00.
How do I classify Waste zinc for customs?
Waste zinc is classified under HS code 790200 — Zinc; waste and scrap. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include zinc dust?
No, zinc dust is specifically classified under HS code 7903.10, while zinc powders and flakes are under 7903.90.
Which countries are the top exporters of waste zinc (HS 790200)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 790200 (the code used for waste zinc) in UN Comtrade data were France ($118M, 16% of world exports), Germany ($104M) and Malaysia ($90M). World exports came to about $736M, 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 waste zinc (HS 790200)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 790200 (the code used for waste zinc) in UN Comtrade data were India ($236M, 39% of world imports), Italy ($120M) and Belgium ($70M). World imports came to about $607M, 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 Waste zinc the same in all countries?
The base HS code 790200 for Waste zinc 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 waste zinc in Brazil?
In Brazil, waste zinc (HS 790200) is classified under NCM 7902.00.00.