Section V · Mineral Products · Chapter 26
Ores, slag and ash
About chapter 26
Chapter 26 covers ores, slag and ash: the raw mineral concentrates mined and processed before smelting, plus the slag and ash byproducts of metal production. This is upstream of the refined metal chapters (72-81).
Classification tip: Ore classification depends on the specific metal content (iron, copper, precious-metal ores each have their own subheading), so confirm assay results before filing rather than relying on a generic 'ore' description.
37 six-digit codes
Iron ores and concentrates; including roasted iron pyrites
3 codes2601.11Iron ores and concentrates; non-agglomerated2601.12Iron ores and concentrates; agglomerated (excluding roasted iron pyrites)2601.20Iron pyrites; roasted
Manganese ores and concentrates, including ferruginous manganese ores and concentrates with a manganese content of 20% or more, calculated on the dry weight
1 code2602.00Manganese ores and concentrates, including ferruginous manganese ores and concentrates with a manganese content of 20% or more, calculated on the dry weight
Copper ores and concentrates
1 code2603.00Copper ores and concentrates
Nickel ores and concentrates
1 code2604.00Nickel ores and concentrates
Cobalt ores and concentrates
1 code2605.00Cobalt ores and concentrates
Aluminium ores and concentrates
1 code2606.00Aluminium ores and concentrates
Lead ores and concentrates
1 code2607.00Lead ores and concentrates
Zinc ores and concentrates
1 code2608.00Zinc ores and concentrates
Tin ores and concentrates
1 code2609.00Tin ores and concentrates
Chromium ores and concentrates
1 code2610.00Chromium ores and concentrates
Tungsten ores and concentrates
1 code2611.00Tungsten ores and concentrates
Uranium or thorium ores and concentrates
2 codes2612.10Uranium ores and concentrates2612.20Thorium ores and concentrates
Molybdenum ores and concentrates
2 codes2613.10Molybdenum ores and concentrates; roasted2613.90Molybdenum ores and concentrates; other than roasted
Titanium ores and concentrates
1 code2614.00Titanium ores and concentrates
Niobium, tantalum, vanadium or zirconium ores and concentrates
2 codes2615.10Zirconium ores and concentrates2615.90Niobium, tantalum, vanadium ores and concentrates
Precious metal ores and concentrates
2 codes2616.10Silver ores and concentrates2616.90Precious metal ores and concentrates; (excluding silver)
Ores and concentrates; n.e.c. in heading no. 2601
2 codes2617.10Antimony ores and concentrates2617.90Ores and concentrates n.e.c. in chapter 26; other than antimony
Granulated slag (slag sand) from the manufacture of iron or steel
1 code2618.00Slag, granulated (slag sand); from the manufacture or iron or steel
Slag, dross; (other than granulated slag), scalings and other waste from the manufacture of iron or steel
1 code2619.00Slag, dross; (other than granulated slag), scalings and other waste from the manufacture of iron or steel
Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel) containing metals, arsenic or their compounds
9 codes2620.11Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly zinc, hard zinc spelter2620.19Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly zinc, other than hard zinc spelter2620.21Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly lead; leaded gasoline sludges and leaded anti-knock compound sludges2620.29Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly lead; excluding leaded gasoline sludges and leaded anti-knock compound sludges2620.30Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly copper2620.40Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly aluminium2620.60Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing arsenic, mercury, thallium or their mixtures, of a kind used for the extraction of arsenic or those metals or for the manufacture of their chemical compounds2620.91Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing antimony, beryllium, cadmium, chromium or their mixtures2620.99Slag, ash and residues; (not from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing mainly metals or their compounds, n.e.c. in heading no. 2620
Slag and ash n.e.c. in chapter 26; including seaweed ash (kelp) and ash and residues from the incineration of municipal waste
2 codes2621.10Slag and ash; ash and residues from the incineration of municipal waste2621.90Slag and ash n.e.c. in chapter 26; including seaweed ash (kelp) but excluding ash and residues from the incineration of municipal waste
More chapters in section V: Mineral Products
Codes and descriptions follow the WCO six-digit Harmonized System nomenclature. National tariff schedules extend these to 8–13 digits and set the actual duty rate, so confirm the full code for your destination country with your customs broker before filing. To copy a code, hover a row and use the copy button; every code has 2601-style dot notation ready for your commercial invoice.
Chapter 26 FAQ
What does HS code chapter 26 cover?
Chapter 26 of the Harmonized System covers: ores, slag and ash. It belongs to section V (Mineral Products) and contains 21 four-digit headings, 2601–2621.
How many HS codes are in chapter 26?
Chapter 26 contains 21 four-digit headings and 37 six-digit subheadings. Countries subdivide these further (8–13 digits) in their national tariff schedules, so the full national count is larger.
Is HS code 2601 the same in every country?
Yes. The six-digit level of every code in this chapter is harmonised by the World Customs Organization and identical in all member countries. Digits beyond the sixth (for example the US 10-digit HTS or the EU 8-digit CN) are national and set the actual duty rate.
How do I choose the right code within chapter 26?
Work from the four-digit heading down: pick the heading that best matches your product, then the six-digit subheading that matches its material, form or processing. If two codes seem to fit, customs rules (the General Rules of Interpretation) decide, and when in doubt, confirm with your customs broker before filing.