HS 2846Critical minerals

HS Code for Rare Earth Oxides (HS 2846)

The 17 rare-earth elements split into light (LREE - Nd, Pr, Ce, La) and heavy (HREE - Dy, Tb, Y, Er). Oxides are HS 2846. Neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) drives permanent magnets in EV motors, wind turbines, and defence. China controls ~70% of mining and ~90% of separation and magnet manufacture. Export controls tightened from 2023.

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

Sample 6-digit codes

Code	Description
2846.10	Cerium compounds
2846.90	Other rare-earth metal, yttrium or scandium compounds
2805.30	Rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, whether or not intermixed or interalloyed

Need to check a specific code? Use the free HS code lookup tool.

Typical import duty by market

Market	Duty
European Union	2.7-5.5%
United States	0-5.5% Section 301 additions on China origin.
China	0% Export licence and quota system since 2023; some HREE compounds under strict control.
Japan	0% Long-term supply strategy since 2010 embargo.

Worked landed-cost example

5 MT NdPr oxide (75:25 Nd:Pr), FOB Baotou USD 65,000/MT, CIF Yokohama Japan

FOB valueUSD 325,000

Freight + insuranceUSD 6,000

CIF valueUSD 331,000

Japan dutyUSD 0

Landed cost ≈ USD 331,000. NdPr oxide pricing is volatile - USD 40,000 to USD 250,000/MT range over 2020-2022.

Run your own numbers in the import duty & tax calculator.

Regulatory checkpoints

· China Rare-Earth Regulation (2024) - unified state control of exploration, mining, smelting, separation.
· China dual-use export controls (2023) - gallium, germanium and select rare-earth technologies.
· US Defence Production Act - rare-earth mining and processing supported as strategic.
· EU Critical Raw Materials Act - all 17 REEs listed strategic and critical.
· IMDG - some rare-earth halides Class 8; oxides generally not dangerous goods.

Top exporting countries

· China
· USA (Mountain Pass concentrate exported for separation)
· Australia (Lynas)
· Myanmar (HREE feedstock, contentious)

Frequently asked questions

Why are heavy REEs strategically critical?

Dysprosium and terbium are added to NdFeB magnets for high-temperature stability (EV motors, wind turbines). Global HREE supply is ~90% China-controlled, and Chinese production draws on Myanmar feedstock with associated ESG risk.

Can I substitute out of rare earths?

For low-performance applications, ferrite magnets work but with 3-5x more mass. High-power-density EV drive motors and offshore wind turbines require NdFeB - no commercial substitute at scale today.