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HSChapter 26
U.S. imports of cobalt ores and concentrates (HS 260500) totaled $30K in May 2026, traded with 1 country.
Cobalt Ores and Concentrates imports of $30K in May 2026 ran 79% above the year-to-date monthly average of $17K.
Last updated: May 2026 dataClassified entirely under a single 10-digit line (2605000000), cobalt ores and concentrates occupy a critical position in battery supply chains for electric vehicles and consumer electronics, as well as in superalloy production for aerospace applications. US import volumes under this heading are relatively modest because most cobalt enters the country in more processed forms — hydroxides, sulfates, or refined metal — rather than as raw ore or concentrate. Germany and Spain are the recorded US suppliers under this heading, an atypical sourcing pattern given that primary cobalt mining is concentrated in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
Cobalt is predominantly a by-product of copper and nickel mining, and it is typically upgraded to cobalt hydroxide, sulfate, or refined metal before export because those forms carry higher value and lower shipping costs per unit of cobalt content. Raw cobalt ore or concentrate reaching the US under 2605000000 is therefore uncommon and often represents recycled or reprocessed material.
Once cobalt has been converted to an oxide, hydroxide, sulfate, or refined metal, it leaves Chapter 26 and is classified in Chapter 28 (inorganic chemicals) or Chapter 75 (nickel) or Chapter 81 (other base metals), depending on the form. The Chapter 26 heading applies only to material that retains the character of an ore or concentrate.
Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Dutiable Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2605000000 | COBALT ORES AND CONCENTRATES | $13K | 0.00% | 0.00% |
COBALT ORES AND CONCENTRATES
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2605000000 | COBALT ORES AND CONCENTRATES | $3K |
COBALT ORES AND CONCENTRATES
110 kg
Supplier Network
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| State | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $13K | -- | -$13K |
| Pennsylvania | -- | $3K | +$3K |
| California | -- | -- | -- |
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEW YORK, NY | $13K | -- | -$13K |
| CLEVELAND, OH | -- | $3K | +$3K |
| NEWARK, NJ | -- | -- | -- |