HS Code for Nickel (HS 7502)
Nickel splits by Class 1 (>= 99.8% suitable for LME warrant and battery precursor conversion) and Class 2 (nickel pig iron, ferronickel - for stainless steel). Indonesian ore export bans since 2020 have shifted the market: Indonesia now dominates refined Class 2 output and increasingly Class 1 via HPAL.
Sample 6-digit codes
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 7502.10 | Nickel, not alloyed, unwrought |
| 7502.20 | Nickel alloys, unwrought |
| 7503.00 | Nickel waste and scrap |
| 2833.24 | Nickel sulphate |
| 7202.60 | Ferronickel |
Typical import duty by market
| Market | Duty |
|---|---|
| European Union | 0% Metal 0%; sulphate 5.5%. |
| United States | 0-3.7% |
| China | 1-2% Plus 13% VAT. |
| India | 5% Plus 18% GST. |
Numerical Example: 50 MT Class 1 nickel cathodes, FOB Sudbury USD 17,500/MT, CIF Rotterdam
50 MT Class 1 nickel cathodes, FOB Sudbury USD 17,500/MT, CIF Rotterdam. Run your own numbers in the Import Duty & Tax calculator.
- · LME Class 1 brand list - approved refined nickel deliverable against LME contract.
- · LME Responsible Sourcing rules - Track A red-flag assessment and Track B audit.
- · Indonesian export bans on nickel ore (2020) and prospective ban on intermediates - critical for supply-chain planning.
- · IMDG Code - nickel sulphate is UN 3077 environmentally hazardous substance, solid.
- · EU Battery Regulation - due diligence on battery-grade nickel.
- · Indonesia
- · Philippines
- · Russia (Nornickel - sanctions impact)
- · Canada
- · Australia
- · New Caledonia
Frequently asked questions
Rapid HPAL expansion has raised environmental and community concerns (tailings, deforestation). Some Western OEMs prefer non-Indonesian nickel; others accept audited Indonesian material. The EU Battery Regulation due-diligence obligations will force explicit disclosure.
As of 2024, US and UK have restricted new Russian nickel; the LME will not accept new Russian metal into warehouses. Existing metal produced before the cut-off remains tradeable. EU has imposed some restrictions and continues to review.
Import duty and tax by destination market
Typical MFN duty, consumption tax and the tax base applied to metals (HS 7502) 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.