Product classification
HS code for Zinc-air battery: 8506.60
Cells and batteries, primary, air-zinc.
Classification of zinc-air battery under HS 8506.60
Zinc-air batteries are classified under HS code 8506.60. This classification falls within Chapter 85, which covers electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof. Heading 8506 is specifically dedicated to primary cells and primary batteries. These are defined as electrochemical cells that are not designed to be recharged. Subheading 8506.60 is the specific international designation for air-zinc batteries. The classification is determined by the chemical system of the battery, which uses the oxidation of zinc with oxygen from the air to produce electricity. These batteries are unique because they use atmospheric oxygen as one of the electrodes, allowing for a very high energy density in a small volume. This makes them the standard choice for hearing aids and certain medical devices. The classification follows GRI 1 and GRI 6, as the subheading 8506.60 explicitly names the air-zinc chemistry, distinguishing it from other primary battery types like manganese dioxide or lithium.
- Covers
- Zinc-air button cells for hearing aids
- Large-scale zinc-air primary batteries for signaling
- Zinc-air cells for medical telemetry devices
- Replacement air-zinc batteries for pagers
- Industrial zinc-air primary cells
- Also under 8506.60
- Rayovac Extra Advanced
- Duracell Activair
- Power One
- ZeniPower
- Energizer EZ
Codes often confused with 8506.60
Common mistake. Zinc-air batteries are sometimes misclassified under HS code 8507.80, which covers "other accumulators" (rechargeable batteries). Since standard zinc-air batteries are primary cells and cannot be recharged, they must stay in 8506. Another common error is classifying them under 8506.10 (manganese dioxide) or 8506.50 (lithium) due to their similar button-cell appearance. It is critical to identify the "air-zinc" chemistry to apply the correct 8506.60 code, as duty rates and environmental regulations can vary significantly between battery chemistries.
Top exporters and importers of HS 850660 (the code used for zinc-air battery), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 850660 (the code used for zinc-air battery) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 15% 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 850660, not only zinc-air battery.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $113M 33% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $54M 16% of world exports
- 3 Poland $22M 6.5% of world exports
World total: $340M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $44M 15% of world imports
- 2 United States $30M 10% of world imports
- 3 France $28M 9.4% of world imports
World total: $298M 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 codes for zinc-air battery
Brazil splits HS 8506.60 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8506.60.10Air-zinc cells and batteries, up to 300 cm³
- 8506.60.90Air-zinc cells and batteries, over 300 cm³
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about zinc-air battery
What is the HS code for Zinc-air battery?
The HS code for Zinc-air battery is 850660 (Cells and batteries; primary, air-zinc). The HS code for zinc-air batteries is 8506.60, which is the specific code for primary air-zinc cells.
How do I classify Zinc-air battery for customs?
Zinc-air battery is classified under HS code 850660 — Cells and batteries; primary, air-zinc. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are rechargeable zinc-air batteries classified here?
No, if a zinc-air battery is specifically designed to be rechargeable, it would be classified under HS code 8507.80 as an electric accumulator.
Which countries are the top exporters of zinc-air battery (HS 850660)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 850660 (the code used for zinc-air battery) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($113M, 33% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($54M) and Poland ($22M). World exports came to about $340M, 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 zinc-air battery (HS 850660)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 850660 (the code used for zinc-air battery) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($44M, 15% of world imports), the United States ($30M) and France ($28M). World imports came to about $298M, 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 Zinc-air battery the same in all countries?
The base HS code 850660 for Zinc-air battery 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 zinc-air battery in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 850660 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for zinc-air battery depends on the product's details: 8506.60.10 (Air-zinc cells and batteries, up to 300 cm³), 8506.60.90 (Air-zinc cells and batteries, over 300 cm³).