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HS 2825.20Critical minerals

HS Code for Lithium Hydroxide (HS 2825.20)

Lithium hydroxide monohydrate (LiOH.H2O) is preferred for high-nickel NMC 811 and NCA cathodes because sintering temperatures are lower than for carbonate. Trade volumes have grown fastest of any lithium compound. HS 2825.20 covers lithium oxide and hydroxide.

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

Sample 6-digit codes

CodeDescription
2825.20Lithium oxide and hydroxide
2836.91Lithium carbonate (see separate guide)
Need to check a specific code? Use the free HS code lookup tool.

Typical import duty by market

MarketDuty
European Union
5.5%
United States
3.7%
IRA 30D battery mineral rules; FEOC exclusions from 2025.
China
0%
Plus 13% VAT.
Japan
3.9%
South Korea
5.5%

Worked landed-cost example

50 MT battery-grade LiOH.H2O, FOB Ningbo USD 15,500/MT, CIF Hamburg

FOB valueUSD 775,000
Freight + insuranceUSD 12,000
CIF valueUSD 787,000
EU duty @ 5.5%USD 43,285
Dangerous goods surcharge (Class 8)Freight rate premium
Landed cost ≈ USD 830k plus REACH downstream user obligations for the EU importer.
Run your own numbers in the import duty & tax calculator.
Regulatory checkpoints
  • · IMDG: UN 2680 - Class 8 corrosive (packaging group II). Anhydrous form is more hazardous.
  • · REACH registration for EU imports > 1 t/year.
  • · US IRA 30D and FEOC rules apply.
  • · Battery-grade spec: >= 56.5% LiOH, low CO3, tight magnetic/iron/nickel limits.
Top exporting countries
  • · China (converter)
  • · Chile (some)
  • · Australia (via own converters and JVs)
  • · Argentina

Frequently asked questions

Why hydroxide for high-nickel cathodes?

Sintering high-nickel NMC and NCA precursors below the temperature at which nickel disorders is easier with LiOH than Li2CO3. LFP cathodes use carbonate; NMC 6-series and above skew to hydroxide.

Destination market toolkits

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

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 Japan →
Consumption Tax (JCT) · 10% standard / 8% reduced (food, newspapers)
Import into South Korea →
VAT · 10%
Import into Australia →
GST · 10%

Critical minerals landed-cost pages: every destination market

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

Related commodity guides

HS 2836.91Critical minerals
HS Code for Lithium Carbonate (HS 2836.91) →
HS 8105Critical minerals
HS Code for Cobalt (HS 8105) →
HS 2504Critical minerals
HS Code for Graphite (HS 2504) →
HS 2846Critical minerals
HS Code for Rare Earth Oxides (HS 2846) →

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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