Mercury

HS v2022 Code: 280540

About mercury

HS code 280540 covers the classification of mercury, a unique and versatile element with a wide range of industrial and scientific applications. As a dense, silvery-white liquid metal, mercury plays a crucial role in various sectors, including electrical equipment, medical devices, and chemical production. Its distinctive properties, such as high density, low melting point, and ability to conduct electricity, make it an indispensable component in numerous products and processes that drive the global economy.

Production process

Mercury is primarily obtained through the mining and processing of cinnabar, the primary ore of mercury. The extraction process typically involves roasting the cinnabar ore to release the mercury vapor, which is then condensed and purified to produce high-purity mercury. Advanced techniques, such as retorting and distillation, may also be employed to further refine the mercury and remove impurities.

Production inputs

The production of mercury requires access to cinnabar ore deposits, which are found in various regions around the world. Additionally, the extraction and refining processes rely on specialized equipment, such as furnaces, condensers, and distillation units. Energy sources, such as electricity or natural gas, are also essential inputs for the production of mercury.

Production outputs

The primary outputs of HS code 280540 are high-purity mercury products, which are then utilized in a wide range of applications. These include 850440 Electrical Transformers, 901830 Medical Thermometers, and 282520 Mercuric Oxide. The mercury produced under this code may also be used as a catalyst in chemical processes or incorporated into specialized electronic devices and scientific instruments.

Revisions to 280540

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 280540. The most recent 1 version of this code (280540) is in the HS v2022 system (this version):

This page shows the most recent version of code 280540.

Older versions

Family tree for mercury

    graph LR
    A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/28'>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/v2022/2805'>2805: Alkali or alkaline-earth metals; rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, whether or not intermixed or interalloyed; mercury</a>"]
B --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/280540'>280540: Mercury</a>"]

    B --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/280511'>280511: Alkali or alkali-earth metals; sodium</a>"]
B --> E["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/280512'>280512: Alkali or alkali-earth metals; calcium</a>"]
B --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/280519'>280519: Alkali or alkali-earth metals; other than sodium and calcium</a>"]
B --> G["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/280530'>280530: Earth-metals, rare; scandium and yttrium, whether or not intermixed or interalloyed</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 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