HS 8105Critical minerals

HS Code for Cobalt (HS 8105)

Cobalt is the highest-scrutiny critical mineral. The DRC supplies ~70% of mined cobalt; artisanal-mining (ASM) child-labour concerns drive supply-chain due diligence. Trade forms: cobalt metal (8105), cobalt hydroxide intermediate (2822), cobalt sulphate battery precursor (2833). LME cobalt (metal) sets the reference.

Reviewed against WCO HS · WTO IDB · National customs schedules3 authoritative sourcesLast reviewed July 2026

Sample 6-digit codes

Code	Description
8105.20	Cobalt mattes and other intermediate products of cobalt metallurgy; unwrought cobalt; cobalt powders
8105.30	Cobalt waste and scrap
8105.90	Cobalt articles
2822.00	Cobalt oxides and hydroxides
2833.29	Cobalt sulphate

Need to check a specific code? Use the free HS code lookup tool.

Typical import duty by market

Market	Duty
European Union	0% Metal 0%; sulphate/hydroxide 5.5%.
United States	0-4.4% Under review for critical-minerals defence stockpile.
China	0-3% Plus 13% VAT; China refines majority of world cobalt.
Japan	0%

Worked landed-cost example

50 MT cobalt sulphate CoSO4.7H2O, FOB Shanghai USD 6,200/MT, CIF Hamburg

FOB valueUSD 310,000

Freight + insuranceUSD 10,000

CIF valueUSD 320,000

EU duty @ 5.5%USD 17,600

Due-diligence auditOverhead cost

Landed cost ≈ USD 337,600. Note: cobalt sulphate contains ~21% Co - price per contained-cobalt basis differs from LME cobalt-metal price.

Run your own numbers in the import duty & tax calculator.

Regulatory checkpoints

· OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas.
· US Dodd-Frank Section 1502 conflict-minerals reporting (SEC 8-K/10-K disclosures).
· EU Conflict Minerals Regulation 2017/821 - due-diligence obligations on smelters and refiners of 3TG (this covers tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold - cobalt is not yet in scope but voluntary CMRT-style reporting is expected).
· EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542 - due-diligence rules for battery raw materials.
· LME Responsible Sourcing rules - refined cobalt brands must complete third-party audits.

Top exporting countries

· DRC (mined intermediates)
· China (refined)
· Finland (Nornickel refinery)
· Canada, Australia, Cuba (mine)

Frequently asked questions

How does the DRC ASM issue affect me?

Even large-mine (LSM) product from the DRC transits through refineries that may co-process ASM material. Battery OEMs increasingly require chain-of-custody evidence from mine to cathode. Non-DRC or CMRT-audited supply attracts a premium.

How is cobalt priced?

LME cobalt metal (USD/MT) for refined 99.8% cathode. Intermediates (hydroxide, sulphate) are priced as a percentage payable of contained cobalt against LME metal, with treatment/refining charges (TC/RC) deducted.