HS Code:
Bismuth and articles thereof, including waste and scrap, fall under HS Code 8106. Bismuth is a brittle, crystalline metal with a silvery-white color, often used in alloys, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and as a replacement for lead in various applications due to its low toxicity. This category includes unwrought bismuth, bismuth powders, and articles made of bismuth, as well as waste and scrap generated from production or recycling processes. Global trade in bismuth is relatively niche compared to other metals, but it plays a critical role in specific industries such as electronics and medicine.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $150 million USD
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
$60 million USD
40% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$25 million USD
16.7% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$20 million USD
13.3% of total trade of total trade
Decreasing
$15 million USD
10% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$10 million USD
6.7% of total trade of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
5.2% ad valorem
Highest Rate
12% (imposed by certain developing countries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-Japan EPA)
Growing demand in pharmaceuticals
Increased use of bismuth compounds in treatments for gastrointestinal disorders has boosted trade, especially in Asia-Pacific and North America.
2021-2022
Shift towards lead-free alternatives
Bismuth is increasingly used as a substitute for lead in solders and alloys, driving demand in electronics manufacturing hubs like South Korea and Japan.
2020-2022
Recycling and waste recovery
Rising focus on circular economy practices has led to higher trade in bismuth scrap, particularly in Europe.
2019-2022
China, the largest producer and exporter of bismuth, introduced stricter export controls to prioritize domestic supply for high-tech industries.
January 2023
Potential price increases and supply chain disruptions for importing countries like the US and Japan.
New EU regulations under the Green Deal framework impose stricter guidelines on the import and processing of metal waste and scrap, including bismuth.
March 2023
Increased compliance costs for exporters to the EU, potentially reducing trade volumes in the short term.
The United States announced incentives for domestic bismuth refining to reduce reliance on foreign imports, especially from China.
June 2022
May lead to a gradual decline in US import volumes over the next decade.