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HS 8104Metals

HS Code for Magnesium (HS 8104)

Magnesium is 33% lighter than aluminium. Used for aluminium alloying (~40%, source of Mg in 5xxx/6xxx alloys), automotive die-casting (~30%), steel desulphurisation. China’s Shaanxi cluster supplies ~85% of world magnesium. Chinese energy crisis (2021) caused temporary supply crunch.

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

Sample 6-digit codes

CodeDescription
8104.11Magnesium, unwrought, containing >= 99.8% Mg
8104.19Magnesium, unwrought, other
8104.20Magnesium waste and scrap
8104.30Raspings, turnings, granules (grade), powders
Need to check a specific code? Use the free HS code lookup tool.

Typical import duty by market

MarketDuty
European Union
5.3%
AD 63.4-72.4% on Chinese origin (Reg 2023/2841).
United States
8%
AD/CVD on Chinese origin.
India (BCD)
7.5%

Worked landed-cost example

50 MT Mg ingot 99.9%, FOB Qingdao USD 2,850/MT, CIF Bremerhaven

FOBUSD 142,500
Freight + insuranceUSD 3,500
CIFUSD 146,000
EU duty 5.3%USD 7,738
AD 63.4%USD 92,564
Landed ≈ USD 246k. Non-Chinese origin (Israel Mg) uncompetitive at spot but wins on trade defence terms.
Run your own numbers in the import duty & tax calculator.
Regulatory checkpoints
  • · EU AD Reg 2023/2841 on Chinese magnesium metal.
  • · IMDG Class 4.1 UN 1869 magnesium powders.
  • · REACH.
  • · EU CRM Act 2024 - magnesium strategic.
Top exporting countries
  • · China
  • · Israel (Dead Sea Magnesium)
  • · Brazil (Rima)
  • · United States (US Magnesium)

Frequently asked questions

Why did 2021 crunch happen?

China’s Shaanxi province cut electricity to magnesium smelters (Pidgeon process is very energy-intensive) during winter power rationing. World magnesium prices spiked from USD 2,500 to 12,000+/MT within weeks. Auto sector saw supply threats to 5xxx aluminium alloys. Diversification efforts (Israel, Turkey) accelerated.

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 Brazil →
ICMS (state) + PIS/COFINS (federal) · ICMS 17-19% (varies by state); PIS 2.1%; COFINS 9.65%
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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