U.S. imports of Tungsten Waste and Scrap (HS 810197) totaled $25.4M in August 2026, imported from 30 countries.
Importers of Tungsten Waste and Scrap paid $629K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 2.47% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: August 2026 dataTungsten scrap — recovered from spent cutting tools, drill bits, electrical contacts, and hard-metal (cemented carbide) components — is a strategically important secondary raw material for the tungsten supply chain, given that primary tungsten mining is heavily concentrated in China and the US has designated tungsten a critical mineral. Germany leads US imports of tungsten scrap, reflecting Europe's large machining and tooling industry, with Mexico, Canada, Japan, and India also supplying meaningful volumes. The scrap's tungsten content, form (turnings, grindings, sludge, or solid pieces), and contamination level determine its value and processing route — high-grade carbide scrap commands a significant premium over mixed or oxidized material. Exporters and importers should be aware that tungsten scrap may be subject to export licensing or strategic-material controls in certain jurisdictions.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
50 import shipments a month
Tungsten waste and scrap includes spent or broken cutting inserts, drill blanks, grinding sludge, turnings, and other recovered tungsten-bearing material that is not suitable for direct use but is destined for reprocessing. Unwrought tungsten — such as sintered bars, rods, or powder — is classified under a different heading. The key distinction is whether the material is a recoverable secondary input or a primary processed form; CBP may request metallurgical analysis or a statement of origin and intended use to confirm classification.
Several jurisdictions treat tungsten as a critical or strategic material. China, which dominates primary tungsten production, has historically applied export quotas and licensing requirements on tungsten raw materials, which indirectly elevates the value of secondary scrap traded outside China. US importers should also confirm that tungsten scrap shipments comply with any applicable Commerce Department export administration regulations if the material is subsequently re-exported, particularly to destinations subject to enhanced controls.
Subheading 1 of 5 in heading 8101
Subheading 810197 · $25.4M of $65.2M
ImportsExports
Imports
$25.4MYoY · free account
Exports
$18.6MYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $264.9M of Tungsten Waste and Scrap and exported $138.0M.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
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HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Imports for consumption | Average duty rate | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8101970000 | Tungsten Waste and Scrap | $25.4M | 2.47% | 87.98% | $629K |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 8101970000 | Tungsten Waste and Scrap | $18.6M |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
Imports · August 2026
origin
Germany and United Kingdom together supply 68% of it.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
12.0% enters free of duty; duty collected equals 2.47% of imports for consumption.