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HS 7403.11Metals

HS Code for Copper Cathodes (HS 7403.11)

Refined copper cathodes are HS 7403.11 - the LME Grade A deliverable per BS EN 1978:1998, minimum 99.9935% Cu. Priced as LME cash + regional premium (Rotterdam, Shanghai, Yangshan bonded, US Midwest). Cathodes are the standardised feed for wire-rod and flat-product mills.

Reviewed against WCO HS · WTO IDB · National customs schedules5 authoritative sourcesLast reviewed July 2026

Sample 6-digit codes

CodeDescription
7403.11Refined copper, cathodes and sections of cathodes
7403.13Refined copper, billets
7403.19Other refined copper, unwrought
7404.00Copper waste and scrap (see separate guide)
Need to check a specific code? Use the free HS code lookup tool.

Typical import duty by market

MarketDuty
European Union
0%
MFN 0%.
United States
0%
Under Section 232 investigation 2024-25; possible ad valorem duty imminent.
China
0%
Plus 13% VAT; largest importer.
India
5%
Plus 18% GST.
South Korea
3%

Worked landed-cost example

500 MT LME Grade A cathodes, FOB Antofagasta USD 9,400/MT, CIF Shanghai

FOB valueUSD 4,700,000
Freight + insuranceUSD 55,000
CIF valueUSD 4,755,000
China dutyUSD 0
China VAT @ 13% (recoverable for licensed importer)USD 618,150
Cost basis for the Chinese importer ≈ USD 4.755m plus recoverable VAT. Priced as LME cash + Yangshan bonded premium against the invoice pricing period.
Run your own numbers in the import duty & tax calculator.
Regulatory checkpoints
  • · LME approved brand list - only listed brands can be delivered into an LME warrant.
  • · BS EN 1978:1998 - minimum 99.9935% Cu, tight limits on Bi, Se, Te, S, Pb, As, Sb.
  • · SHFE (Shanghai) - separate approved brand list for Chinese physical settlement.
  • · COMEX (US) - HG copper contract, chiefly financial reference for US premium calc.
  • · US Section 232 investigation on copper announced 2024 - watch for possible ad valorem duty.
Top exporting countries
  • · Chile (Codelco, Antofagasta)
  • · Peru
  • · DRC (Katanga)
  • · China (converter)
  • · Zambia
  • · Kazakhstan (KAZ)

Frequently asked questions

What is Yangshan bonded premium?

The Shanghai bonded warehouse premium - USD/MT paid over LME cash for delivery in Shanghai bonded zone. Reflects Chinese physical-market tightness and import arbitrage. Reported daily by Fastmarkets / SMM.

Cathode vs blister vs anode?

Blister (7402) is fire-refined ~98.5% Cu. Anode (7402) is the smelter output ~99.5% Cu. Cathode (7403.11) is electrolytically refined >=99.99% Cu. Only cathodes are LME-deliverable.

Destination market toolkits

Country-specific duty, VAT/GST and Incoterms practice for the top destinations for metals.

Import into India →
IGST on imports · 5% / 12% / 18% / 28%
Import into China →
Import VAT · 13% standard, 9% reduced, 6% services
Import into United States →
No federal VAT / GST · 0% federal
Import into Germany →
VAT (Umsatzsteuer / Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) · 19% standard, 7% reduced
Import into South Korea →
VAT · 10%
Import into United Arab Emirates →
VAT · 5% standard

Metals landed-cost pages: every destination market

Jump straight to the metals import guide for any of the destination markets we cover.

Related commodity guides

HS 72Metals
HS Code for Iron & Steel (Chapter 72) →
HS 2601Metals
HS Code for Iron Ore (HS 2601) →
HS 74Metals
HS Code for Copper (Chapter 74 & 2603) →
HS 76Metals
HS Code for Aluminium (Chapter 76) →

Related tools

HS Code Lookup →
Search harmonised codes across 21 sections.
Import Duty & Tax →
Landed cost with duty, VAT/GST and cess.
Landed Cost by HS & Country →
Duty + VAT/GST + Incoterm split for this HS.
CIF ↔ FOB Converter →
Convert customs value between Incoterms.

Sources & citations

Duty rates and regulations compiled from WCO HS, WTO integrated database, national customs authorities and published FTA schedules. Provided for decision-support only - confirm the 10-digit line and current preferential status with your licensed customs broker before acting.

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