HS Codes for Commodity Imports: A Reference Guide
A working reference of HS codes for urea, sulphur, graphite, bitumen, copper, aluminium and iron ore — plus how classification affects duty and clearance.
Published: 2026-08-09 · CommoFlow
The Harmonised System code on your invoice determines the duty you pay, the permits you need and how quickly your cargo clears. Get it wrong and you face reclassification, penalties and a container sitting at the port. This is a working reference for the commodities we handle most — but read the caveat at the end before relying on any of it.
How HS codes are structured
The first six digits are internationally standardised under the World Customs Organization: chapter (2), heading (4), subheading (6). Beyond six digits, every country extends the code for its own tariff and statistical purposes — the EU uses eight (CN) and ten (TARIC), the US uses ten (HTSUS). The first six digits travel; the rest do not.
Fertilizers and chemicals
| Product | HS code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Urea, incl. aqueous solution | 3102.10 | Fertilizer grade; see the urea buying guide |
| Ammonium sulphate | 3102.21 | |
| Sulphur, all kinds | 2503.00 | Excludes sublimed, precipitated and colloidal |
| Sublimed / precipitated sulphur | 2802.00 | Different chapter — a common misclassification |
Carbon and minerals
| Product | HS code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Natural graphite, powder or flakes | 2504.10 | |
| Natural graphite, other | 2504.90 | |
| Artificial / synthetic graphite | 3801.10 | Chapter 38, not 25 — catches many first-time importers |
| Iron ore, non-agglomerated | 2601.11 | Fines and lump |
| Iron ore, agglomerated | 2601.12 | Pellets and sinter |
| Manganese ore | 2602.00 | |
| Copper ores and concentrates | 2603.00 |
Petroleum products
| Product | HS code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum bitumen | 2713.20 | Standard paving and industrial bitumen |
| Bituminous mixtures (natural asphalt based) | 2715.00 | Cutbacks and emulsions may fall here |
Metals
| Product | HS code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Refined copper cathodes | 7403.11 | LME Grade A cathode |
| Aluminium, unwrought, not alloyed | 7601.10 | P1020A ingot |
| Aluminium, unwrought, alloyed | 7601.20 | Billet and alloy forms |
| Zinc, unwrought, not alloyed | 7901.11 | SHG 99.995% |
| Tin, unwrought, not alloyed | 8001.10 | |
| Silver, unwrought | 7106.91 | Precious metal controls apply |
| Cobalt mattes and unwrought cobalt | 8105.20 |
Soft commodities
| Product | HS code | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee, not roasted, not decaffeinated | 0901.11 | Green coffee; phytosanitary certificate usually required |
Where classification goes wrong
- Natural versus synthetic graphite. Chapter 25 versus chapter 38 — different duty treatment entirely.
- Sulphur form. 2503.00 covers most traded sulphur; sublimed and precipitated grades sit in chapter 28.
- Alloyed versus unalloyed metal. Small alloying additions move the code and often the duty rate.
- End-use dependent goods. Technical-grade urea for industrial use may be classified differently from fertilizer grade in some jurisdictions.
- Bitumen products. Straight bitumen, cutbacks and emulsions do not all share a heading.
Getting it right
- Confirm the full national code with the destination customs authority or a licensed broker — not with the seller
- Where value is significant, apply for a binding tariff ruling in advance; it is free or low cost in most jurisdictions and removes the argument entirely
- Check preferential trade agreements — origin can change the duty more than classification does
- Keep the certificate of analysis consistent with the declared code; a COA that contradicts the classification invites inspection
Important: the six-digit codes above are the internationally harmonised headings and are provided as a starting point for discussion, not as customs advice. National extensions, duty rates, licensing and preferential treatment vary by country and change over time. Always confirm with the destination customs authority or a licensed customs broker before shipping.
CommoFlow prepares full export documentation — certificate of origin, analysis and inspection — for every cargo. Talk to our desk about a specific product and destination.