HS Code for Zirconium & Hafnium (HS 8109 / 8112.31)
Nuclear-grade zircaloy tubing clads uranium fuel pellets in PWR/BWR reactors - the primary nuclear application. Hafnium (nearly always found with Zr) is separated and used for reactor control rods, superalloys, semiconductor high-k dielectrics. SMR deployment drives niche demand growth.
Sample 6-digit codes
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 8109.20 | Zirconium unwrought / powders |
| 8109.31 | Zirconium waste and scrap |
| 8112.31 | Hafnium unwrought / powders |
Typical import duty by market
| Market | Duty |
|---|---|
| European Union | 5% |
| United States | 4.4% |
| Japan | 0-3% |
Numerical Example: 10 MT zircaloy-4 tubing 15mm OD, FOB Le Havre USD 88,000/MT, CIF Charleston SC
10 MT zircaloy-4 tubing 15mm OD, FOB Le Havre USD 88,000/MT, CIF Charleston SC. Run your own numbers in the Import Duty & Tax calculator.
- · IAEA safeguards (nuclear-grade material dual-use).
- · NRC / EU / IAEA end-use certificate.
- · ASTM B350 nuclear-grade zircaloy standard.
- · IMDG Class 4 UN 2008 (pyrophoric hafnium powder).
- · Australia (mineral sands)
- · China (ATI Zr)
- · France (Framatome)
- · USA (ATI)
Frequently asked questions
Zr and Hf occur together in zircon sand (~2% Hf in Zr). Nuclear fuel cladding needs Hf below 100 ppm because Hf absorbs neutrons. Separation is by fractional distillation of ZrCl4/HfCl4 - only ~4 plants worldwide (ATI, Framatome, Chepetsk, CNNC). This creates a bottleneck for SMR fuel supply chains.
Import duty and tax by destination market
Typical MFN duty, consumption tax and the tax base applied to critical minerals (HS 8109) 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.