HS Code:
The category 'Slag, ash and residues (other than from the manufacture of iron or steel), containing arsenic, metals or their compounds' falls under HS Code 2620. This category includes waste materials and by-products from various industrial processes that contain metals like zinc, lead, copper, or arsenic. These residues are often generated from mining, smelting, or refining operations and are traded globally for recycling, recovery of valuable metals, or safe disposal due to their hazardous nature. The trade of such materials is heavily regulated due to environmental and health concerns.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $1.2 billion USD
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
$250 million USD
20.8% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$200 million USD
16.7% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$180 million USD
15.0% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$150 million USD
12.5% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$100 million USD
8.3% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
Average Rate
5.2% ad valorem
Highest Rate
15% (imposed by certain developing countries to discourage hazardous waste imports)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements or for recycling purposes in specific regions)
Increased demand for metal recovery
Growing focus on circular economy and resource scarcity has boosted trade in residues for recycling and metal extraction, especially in developed economies.
2021-2022
Stringent environmental regulations
Tighter controls on hazardous waste trade under international agreements like the Basel Convention have reduced trade volumes in some regions while increasing compliance costs.
2020-2022
Technological advancements in recycling
Innovations in processing technologies have made it more feasible to recover metals from residues, driving trade to countries with advanced facilities.
2019-2022
The European Union introduced stricter rules under the Waste Shipment Regulation to monitor and control the export of hazardous residues like slag and ash, aiming to prevent illegal dumping.
January 2023
This is expected to reduce intra-EU and external trade of such materials while increasing documentation and compliance costs for exporters.
China extended its ban on importing certain hazardous wastes, including metal-containing residues, as part of its environmental protection policies.
December 2021
Redirected trade flows to other Asian countries like South Korea and Japan, while affecting global exporters who relied on China as a processing hub.
Amendments to the Basel Convention came into effect, categorizing more types of metal-containing residues as hazardous, requiring prior informed consent for transboundary movements.
May 2022
Increased regulatory oversight and potential delays in trade, particularly for developing countries lacking adequate disposal facilities.