HS Code for Iron Ore Pellets (HS 2601.12)
Pellets are agglomerated iron ore fines around 12mm diameter, fired to give strength for blast-furnace burden or DRI shaft-furnace charge. DR-grade pellets (>=67% Fe, <2% silica) command a USD 30-60/MT premium and are central to green-steel roadmaps.
Sample 6-digit codes
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 2601.12 | Agglomerated iron ores and concentrates, other than roasted iron pyrites |
| 2601.11 | Non-agglomerated (fines and lump) |
Typical import duty by market
| Market | Duty |
|---|---|
| European Union | 0% |
| China | 0% Plus 13% VAT. |
| Japan | 0% |
| United States | 0% |
Numerical Example: 170,000 MT DR-grade pellets, FOB Ponta da Madeira USD 145/MT, CFR Sohar
170,000 MT DR-grade pellets, FOB Ponta da Madeira USD 145/MT, CFR Sohar. Run your own numbers in the Import Duty & Tax calculator.
- · IMSBC Code Group C for iron ore pellets (non-hazardous, low moisture, low liquefaction risk vs Group A fines).
- · Not CBAM-covered directly, but drives CBAM outcomes for downstream steel importers.
- · Brazil (Vale)
- · Sweden (LKAB)
- · Canada
- · Russia (sanctioned into OECD)
- · Ukraine
- · India
Frequently asked questions
Platts IODEX 65% Fe CFR China is the base; pellet premium (Platts Atlantic BF pellet premium, DR-grade premium) is added on top. DR-grade premiums spiked to USD 80+/MT in 2022 on tight Ukrainian supply.
Import duty and tax by destination market
Typical MFN duty, consumption tax and the tax base applied to metals (HS 2601.12) in each market we cover. Rates are indicative at the 6-digit line | confirm the national 8/10-digit code with your broker.
| Market | Duty | Consumption tax | Tax base | Tax as % of CIF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 2.5% | IGST 18% | Assessable value + duty | 21.2% |
| United Arab Emirates | 0% | VAT 5% | CIF + duty | 5.0% |
| Saudi Arabia | 0% | VAT 15% | CIF + duty | 15.0% |
| Singapore | 0% | GST 9% | CIF + duty | 9.0% |
| China | 0% | VAT 13% | CIF + duty | 13.0% |
| United States | 0% | Federal VAT 0% | CIF | 0.3% |
| United Kingdom | 0% | VAT 20% | CIF + duty | 20.0% |
| Germany | 0% | USt 19% | CIF + duty | 19.0% |
| Netherlands | 0% | BTW 21% | CIF + duty | 21.0% |
| Vietnam | 0% | VAT 10% | CIF + duty | 10.0% |
| Türkiye | 0% | KDV 20% | CIF + duty | 20.0% |
| Japan | 0% | JCT 10% | CIF + duty | 10.0% |
| South Korea | 0% | VAT 10% | CIF + duty | 10.0% |
| Brazil | 0% | IPI+PIS/COFINS+ICMS 32% | CIF + duty | 32.0% |
| Indonesia | 0% | PPN 11% | CIF + duty | 13.5% |
| Mexico | 0% | IVA 16% | CIF + duty | 16.9% |
| Egypt | 0% | VAT 14% | CIF + duty | 14.0% |
| Nigeria | 0% | VAT 7.5% | CIF + duty | 9.1% |
| South Africa | 0% | VAT 15% | Assessable value + duty | 16.5% |
| Australia | 0% | GST 10% | CIF + duty | 10.0% |
Run your own numbers with the landed cost calculator or check documentation requirements in the LC document checklist.