Selenium

HS v2017 Code: 280490

About selenium

HS code 280490 covers the element selenium, a naturally occurring metalloid that is essential for various industrial and agricultural applications. Selenium plays a crucial role in the production of electronics, glass, and pharmaceuticals, making it a vital component in the global economy. Its unique properties, such as its semiconductor characteristics and ability to act as an antioxidant, have led to its widespread use in a diverse range of industries.

Production process

Selenium is primarily extracted from copper refinery anode slimes, a byproduct of copper production. The extraction process involves a series of chemical and physical separation techniques, including roasting, leaching, and electrolysis, to isolate the pure selenium from the raw materials. The refined selenium is then processed into various forms, such as powder, pellets, or ingots, depending on the specific requirements of the end-users.

Production inputs

The production of selenium requires several key inputs, including copper ore, sulfuric acid, and specialized equipment for the extraction and refining processes. Additionally, the industry relies on a skilled workforce with expertise in metallurgy, chemistry, and process engineering to ensure the efficient and safe production of selenium.

Production outputs

The primary outputs of the selenium industry include various forms of the element, such as 280490 Selenium, which are then consumed by a wide range of industries. These include the electronics sector, which uses selenium in the production of solar cells, rectifiers, and photocopiers, as well as the glass industry, which utilizes selenium as a decolorizing agent. Additionally, the pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors rely on selenium compounds for their antioxidant and nutritional properties.

Revisions to 280490

Classification codes are adjusted frequently. The code may have been revised or replaced between system versions. The table below shows the history (newest to oldest) of the code 280490. The most recent 1 version of this code (280490) is in the HS v2022 system:

This page shows a legacy version of code 280490 ( HS v2017).

Newer versions
Older versions

Family tree for selenium

    graph LR
    A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/28'>28: Inorganic chemicals; organic and inorganic compounds of precious metals; of rare earth metals, of radio-active elements and of isotopes</a>"]
A --> B["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/2804'>2804: Hydrogen, rare gases and other non-metals</a>"]
B --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/280490'>280490: Selenium</a>"]

    B --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/280410'>280410: Hydrogen</a>"]
B --> E["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/280421'>280421: Gases, rare; argon</a>"]
B --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/280429'>280429: Gases, rare; other than argon</a>"]
B --> G["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/280430'>280430: Nitrogen</a>"]
B --> H["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/280440'>280440: Oxygen</a>"]
B --> I["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/280450'>280450: Boron; tellurium</a>"]
B --> J["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/280461'>280461: Silicon; containing by weight not less than 99.99% of silicon</a>"]
B --> K["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/280469'>280469: Silicon; containing by weight less than 99.99% of silicon</a>"]
B --> L["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/280470'>280470: Phosphorus</a>"]
B --> M["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2017/280480'>280480: Arsenic</a>"]

    

    %% Color coordination by level

    classDef level1 color:#000,fill:#a8f9ff,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
    classDef level2 color:#000,fill:#e0a458,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level3 color:#000,fill:#419d78,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level4 color:#000,fill:#c04abc,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level5 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level6 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef highlight color:#000,fill:#fff,stroke:#000,stroke-width:5px



  %% Apply classes
  class A level2
class B level4
class C level6
class D level6
class E level6
class F level6
class G level6
class H level6
class I level6
class J level6
class K level6
class L level6
class M level6

  class C highlight

  %% class A level1
  %% class B,C level2
  %% class D,E,F,G,H,I level2
  %% class J,K,L,M,N,O,P level3
  %% class C highlight