HS Code for Spodumene Concentrate (HS 2530.90)
Spodumene (LiAlSi2O6) is the dominant hard-rock lithium mineral. Concentrated to SC6 (6% Li2O) at mine, shipped to China, Korea, and increasingly US/EU/Australia for chemical conversion to Li carbonate or Li hydroxide. ~55% of global Li supply comes via spodumene (vs brine).
Sample 6-digit codes
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 2530.90 | Mineral substances, not elsewhere classified (spodumene concentrate) |
| 2825.20 | Lithium oxide/hydroxide |
| 2836.91 | Lithium carbonate |
Typical import duty by market
| Market | Duty |
|---|---|
| European Union | 0% CRM strategic; concentrate imports zero-rated. |
| United States | 0% IRA supply-chain content credit requires FTA sourcing. |
| China | 0% Removed 13% VAT rebate on Li carbonate exports 2024 - upstream. |
Numerical Example: 10,000 MT SC6 spodumene, FOB Port Hedland USD 850/MT (2025 pricing), CIF Ningbo
10,000 MT SC6 spodumene, FOB Port Hedland USD 850/MT (2025 pricing), CIF Ningbo. Run your own numbers in the Import Duty & Tax calculator.
- · EU CRM Act 2024/1252 - strategic.
- · US IRA 30D battery critical minerals - FTA-sourced spodumene qualifies from Australia/Chile.
- · Australia (Greenbushes, Pilgangoora, Mt Marion)
- · Brazil (Sigma Lithium)
- · Zimbabwe
- · Portugal
Frequently asked questions
1 MT SC6 (6% Li2O) yields ~0.128 MT Li2CO3 (LCE, 40% conversion efficiency at 6%). So 8 MT SC6 => 1 MT LCE. If LCE = USD 12,000/MT and SC6 = USD 850/MT, the implied conversion margin is USD 12,000 - (8 x 850) - USD 2,500 conversion cost = USD 2,700/MT LCE.
Import duty and tax by destination market
Typical MFN duty, consumption tax and the tax base applied to metals (HS 2530.90) 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 | 5% | IGST 18% | Assessable value + duty | 24.1% |
| United Arab Emirates | 5% | VAT 5% | CIF + duty | 10.3% |
| Saudi Arabia | 5% | VAT 15% | CIF + duty | 20.8% |
| Singapore | 5% | GST 9% | CIF + duty | 14.4% |
| China | 5% | VAT 13% | CIF + duty | 18.6% |
| United States | 5% | Federal VAT 0% | CIF | 5.3% |
| United Kingdom | 5% | VAT 20% | CIF + duty | 26.0% |
| Germany | 5% | USt 19% | CIF + duty | 24.9% |
| Netherlands | 5% | BTW 21% | CIF + duty | 27.1% |
| Vietnam | 5% | VAT 10% | CIF + duty | 15.5% |
| Türkiye | 5% | KDV 20% | CIF + duty | 26.0% |
| Japan | 5% | JCT 10% | CIF + duty | 15.5% |
| South Korea | 5% | VAT 10% | CIF + duty | 15.5% |
| Brazil | 5% | IPI+PIS/COFINS+ICMS 32% | CIF + duty | 38.6% |
| Indonesia | 5% | PPN 11% | CIF + duty | 19.1% |
| Mexico | 5% | IVA 16% | CIF + duty | 22.7% |
| Egypt | 5% | VAT 14% | CIF + duty | 19.7% |
| Nigeria | 5% | VAT 7.5% | CIF + duty | 14.5% |
| South Africa | 5% | VAT 15% | Assessable value + duty | 22.8% |
| Australia | 5% | GST 10% | CIF + duty | 15.5% |
Run your own numbers with the landed cost calculator or check documentation requirements in the LC document checklist.