HS Code 2620Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel) containing metals, arsenic or their compounds

What HS code 2620 covers

This heading is for solid leftovers that contain metal. Think of the crusty slag, the fine ash and the thick sludge that remain after a metal is smelted or refined. The key rule is the source. The material must come from a process other than iron and steel making. Waste from those two metals is classed elsewhere.

These metal-bearing residues are traded for two reasons. The metal in them can be recovered and sold again. Some of them also need careful handling because of the toxic elements they hold.

You may see people search for HSN code 2620 or HTS code 2620. These are the same six-digit idea under different names. The first six digits are set by the World Customs Organization and shared by many countries. Each country may add more digits for its own tariff and statistics, so the full national code can be longer. The HS code classifier can help when you are unsure about a product.

HS 2620 six-digit codes by metal

The legal wording is long and repeats itself. Here is each code in plain terms, grouped by the main metal.

• 262011: hard zinc spelter, a hard zinc dross
• 262019: any other zinc residue
• 262021: leaded gasoline sludge and leaded anti-knock compound sludge
• 262029: any other lead residue
• 262030: copper slag and related copper-rich leftovers
• 262040: aluminium dross and related aluminium-rich leftovers
• 262060: residues rich in arsenic, mercury or thallium, used to extract those metals or make their compounds
• 262091: residues with antimony, beryllium, cadmium or chromium
• 262099: residues with other metals or their compounds, not named in this heading

How to pick the right 2620 subheading

Start with the main metal in the material. The word "mainly" in the legal text matters. Ask which metal gives the residue its character, then match it to the list above.

Zinc and lead each split in two. Use 262011 for hard zinc spelter and 262019 for all other zinc. Use 262021 for the two leaded sludges and 262029 for all other lead.

Arsenic, mercury and thallium work differently, because 262060 depends on use. The residue must be of a kind used to extract those metals or to make their chemical compounds. Residues with antimony, beryllium, cadmium or chromium, alone or mixed, go to 262091.

Treat 262099 as the last stop. Use it only when no earlier code fits. If a lab report or supplier sheet is unclear, ask your customs broker before you file.

Difference between HS 2618, 2619, 2620 and 2621 slag

Four neighbouring headings deal with slag and ash. The origin of the material is what separates them.

Heading 2618 is granulated slag, also called slag sand, made while producing iron or steel. Heading 2619 holds other slag, dross, scalings and waste of that same industry. Both are tied to the iron and steel trade.

Heading 2620 is the other side of the line. The waste comes from other metals, and it contains metals, arsenic or their compounds. Heading 2621 is a catch-all for slag and ash that no other heading in the chapter names. It includes seaweed ash (kelp) and ash left after burning municipal waste.

Use a simple test. First ask whether the waste came from iron or steel works. If yes, look at 2618 or 2619. If no, ask whether it holds metals. If yes, use 2620. If not, check 2621.

HS 2620 import and export shipment data

Once you know your code, you can look for real trade partners. EximDataX shows shipment-level import and export records from official customs sources. Coverage: 43 direct customs feeds plus 184 mirror-derived countries. Named buyers and named suppliers are available in 38 of the 43 direct markets. Most markets refresh weekly and some refresh daily. You can search by HS code to see who imports and exports a product, and book a free demo.