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HS 81 Chapter · Base Metals & Articles

Metals; n.e.c., cermets and articles thereof

Chapter 81 of the Harmonised System covers Metals; n.e.c., cermets and articles thereof — 12 four-digit headings spanning tungsten (wolfram) to cermets that customs authorities worldwide use to classify these goods and set duty.

India exports 2024
$127.1M

Source: UN Comtrade — India's reported merchandise exports to the world, 2024.

Sourcing this category from India

Chapter 81 covers other base metals, cermets and articles thereof — tungsten, molybdenum, tantalum, magnesium, cobalt, titanium and similar. India exports selected products in this group, including tungsten and titanium articles, to specialised industrial buyers. Classification separates each metal and its articles, grouping these less common base metals that fall outside the major-metal chapters.

How to read this code

81 is the two-digit HS chapter for metals. To clear customs your destination country extends it to a full 8–10 digit code and assigns the duty rate. India's preferential trade agreements (UAE CEPA, Australia ECTA, and others) can reduce or zero out that duty on many base metals & articles lines — check our import guides for your market.

Turn this code into a sourcing plan

HS 81 maps to live sourcing categories — jump straight to the sector and products we ship under it.

Top destinations for Chapter 81 exports

India's largest buyers of goods in this HS chapter in 2024, ranked by export value.

#1 USA $40.6M
#2 Germany $18.4M
#3 Rep. of Korea $11.9M
#4 China $7.7M
#5 Japan $5.3M

Chapter-level destination mix — your specific HS line may skew differently. Source: UN Comtrade, 2024.

Working out import duty for HS 81 into your market? See full duty context and India-vs-rivals comparisons in our India comparison guides and export resource hub.

Indian exporters in this category

Established export houses with relevant HS focus. Listings are compiled from public records — run your own due diligence.

Browse the full exporter directory →
Last updated 28 Jun 2026 Figures are indicative sourcing benchmarks compiled from exporter quotes, India trade-scheme notifications and public customs tariffs. Confirm live pricing and HS classification before contracting.
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