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HSChapter 26
U.S. imports of nickel ores & concentrates (HS 260400) totaled $16K in April 2026, traded with 2 countries.
Nickel Ores & Concentrates imports of $16K in April 2026 ran 123% above the year-to-date monthly average of $7K.
Last updated: April 2026 dataNickel ores and concentrates feed the production of refined nickel, ferronickel, and nickel pig iron — materials critical to stainless steel and battery cathode manufacturing — and are split at the US tariff level between nickel content (2604000040) and other metal content (2604000080). Sweden and Canada are the leading suppliers to the US under this heading, with China, Mexico, and Belgium also present in the import mix. The growing demand for battery-grade nickel in electric vehicle supply chains has heightened interest in concentrate specifications, particularly sulfide versus laterite ore chemistry, which affects downstream processing routes.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
HTS 260400 does not distinguish between sulfide and laterite ore types — both fall under the same heading. However, the distinction matters commercially because sulfide concentrates typically carry higher nickel grades and are more amenable to conventional smelting, while laterite ores require hydrometallurgical processing. Buyers should specify ore type in contracts, and customs valuation should reflect the actual payable nickel content per the assay certificate.
Nickel ores and concentrates are not among the products currently subject to Section 232 tariffs, which target finished steel and aluminum products. Importers should nonetheless verify at the time of entry whether any antidumping or countervailing duty orders apply to the specific origin, as trade-remedy coverage evolves. A licensed customs broker can confirm current order status before shipment.
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Monthly import values over time
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2604000040 | NICKEL ORES & CONCENTRATES, NICKEL CONTENT | $10K | -- | -- |
| 2604000080 | NICKEL ORES & CONCENTRATES, OTHER METAL CONTENT | $6K | 25.01% | $1K |
NICKEL ORES & CONCENTRATES, NICKEL CONTENT
NICKEL ORES & CONCENTRATES, OTHER METAL CONTENT
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 2604000040 | NICKEL ORES & CONCENTRATES, NICKEL CONTENT | $10.4M |
| 2604000080 | NICKEL ORES & CONCENTRATES, OTHER METAL CONTENT | $1.0M |
NICKEL ORES & CONCENTRATES, NICKEL CONTENT
590.8K ckg
NICKEL ORES & CONCENTRATES, OTHER METAL CONTENT
475.5K ckg
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| PORT HURON, MI | $10K | $10.5M | +$10.5M |
| HOUSTON, TX | -- | $242K | +$242K |
| CHARLESTON, SC | -- | $144K | +$144K |