Alkali or alkaline-earth metals — HTS 2805
Alkali or alkaline-earth metals; rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, whether or not intermixed or interalloyed; mercury
Chapter 28 › Heading 2805
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 2805 is a broad product category for certain elemental metals: alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium, yttrium, and mercury. It can include these materials whether they are separate, mixed together, or formed as alloys, depending on the applicable subheading and product description.
The 4-digit heading is only the starting point, not the final tariff classification. To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, compare the product’s actual composition and form with the subheadings and statistical provisions under heading 2805. The decisive detail is commonly the specific metal or group of metals, and sometimes whether the product is intermixed or interalloyed. Classification may require customs-broker or other professional review when composition or intended use is unclear.
What to check
- Identify the exact chemical elements in the product and obtain a manufacturer specification, certificate of analysis, or safety data sheet.
- Check whether the material is a single metal, a mixture, or an alloy, and confirm how the HTSUS describes that form.
- Read all subheading and statistical-note language under heading 2805 rather than stopping at the 4-digit heading.
- Verify the product’s physical form, packaging, and any processing details against the code descriptions and relevant section or chapter notes.
- Confirm the selected 8-digit code in the current HTSUS and seek a customs broker’s or binding-ruling guidance when competing classifications appear plausible.
HTS heading 2805 summary
Alkali or alkaline-earth metals is a 4-digit product category containing 4 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 2805.19 | Other |
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2805.11.00.00 👉 | Sodium | 5.3% | Free | 25% |
| 2805.12.00.00 👉 | Calcium | 3% | Free | 25% |
| 2805.30.00 👉 | Rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, whether or not intermixed or interalloyed | 5% | Free | 31.3% |
| 2805.40.00.00 👉 | Mercury | 1.7% | Free | 5.7% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 2805?
Alkali or alkaline-earth metals; rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, whether or not intermixed or interalloyed; mercury. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.