Heading 2805

Alkali or alkaline-earth metals; rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, whether or not intermixed or interalloyed; mercury

13 declarable lines

Heading 2805 covers the elemental metals of the alkali and alkaline-earth groups, the rare-earth metals plus scandium and yttrium, and mercury. The lines split first by metal family, then by the specific element, so sodium, calcium, strontium, barium and lithium each have their own line, and rare-earth metals split between individual unmixed elements and intermixed or interalloyed forms.

Products in this heading

Sodium metal in ingots or lumps
Calcium metal granules and turnings
Lithium metal
Strontium metal
Barium metal
Cerium and lanthanum metal
Neodymium metal for magnets
Mercury (quicksilver)

How to choose the right subheading

Identify the element: sodium, calcium, strontium, barium, lithium, or a rare-earth metal, scandium or yttrium.
For rare-earth metals, decide whether the goods are a single unmixed element or an intermixed or interalloyed mixture.
Confirm the goods are the metal itself, not an oxide, salt or other compound of that metal.
Check the physical form (ingot, lump, powder) to confirm it is still a metal of chapter 28.
For mercury, classification does not depend on element choice because the heading has a single mercury line.

Often confused with

Cerium oxide powder
An oxide is a rare-earth compound, not the elemental metal.
Heading 2846
Mercury chloride and other mercury compounds
Compounds of mercury are classified separately from the metal.
Heading 2852
Sodium chloride (table and industrial salt)
A sodium salt, not the free metal.
Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda)
A hydroxide of sodium, covered by its own heading.
Heading 2815
Ferrosilicon and other ferroalloys
Alloyed iron products with other elements belong to the ferroalloy heading.
Heading 7202

Frequently asked questions

What is the HTS code for sodium metal?

Sodium metal is classified under 2805.11.00.00. The general (MFN) duty rate for that line is 5.3%.

What is the duty on cerium metal?

Unmixed cerium metal falls under 2805.30.00.10. The general (MFN) duty rate is 5%.

How do I classify lithium metal?

Lithium is an alkali metal not named in the sodium or calcium lines, so it goes under 2805.19.90.10, which carries a general (MFN) rate of 5.5%. Neodymium metal, by contrast, is listed at 2805.30.00.20 at 5%.

Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.