Chapter · Section XV

Chapter 78: Lead and articles thereof

78
  • FreeUK
  • 0%–5%EU
  • 35%–40%Türkiye
  • 0%–3%USA
  • US$10.2bnWorld trade in 2024

4 headings make up chapter 78, part of section XV, base metals and articles of base metal.

In the UK Global Tariff, chapter 78 covers 11 tariff lines and the duty is duty-free. 10 of them are duty-free.

The EU Combined Nomenclature divides chapter 78 into 10 tariff lines; the duty is between 0% and 5% (average 2.3%). 4 of them are duty-free.

In the Turkish Customs Tariff Schedule, chapter 78 covers 11 tariff lines and the statutory rate is between 35% and 40%.

World trade in chapter 78 goods reached US$10.2bn in 2024, up 3.3% on 2023.

India was the largest exporter with 8.7% of the total, ahead of Australia.

India imported the most (US$1.2bn).

Duty rates compared

UK Free Third-country duty 11 tariff lines EU Free – 5% Third-country duty 10 tariff lines · average 2.3% Türkiye 35% – 40% Statutory rate (Law 474) 11 tariff lines · average 37.3% USA Free – 3% General (MFN) 11 tariff lines · average 1.6% · 4× specific or compound duty

The Turkish schedule prints the statutory rate set under Customs Law 474. The rate applied at import is laid down in the Import Regime Decision and can be lower, or different by country of origin.

Headings 4

World trade in 2024

78 · US$10.2bn

Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$7mUS$7m+US$34.2m+US$178.6m+> US$435.8m

Exports: 178
  1. India: US$885m
  2. Australia: US$845.3m
  3. South Korea: US$778.7m
  4. United Kingdom: US$618.5m
  5. Germany: US$568.9m
  6. Malaysia: US$435.8m
  7. Belgium: US$394.9m
  8. Canada: US$361.9m
  9. Kazakhstan: US$291.9m
  10. Bulgaria: US$280m
  11. Mexico: US$258.7m
  12. United States: US$254.8m
  13. France: US$253.6m
  14. Poland: US$246m
  15. China: US$208.6m
  16. Japan: US$192.9m
  17. Singapore: US$189m
  18. Saudi Arabia: US$178.6m
  19. Sweden: US$163.7m
  20. Taiwan: US$151.8m
  21. Czechia: US$147.9m
  22. United Arab Emirates: US$138.4m
  23. Italy: US$136.9m
  24. Nigeria: US$114.5m
  25. Netherlands: US$108.4m
  26. Spain: US$104.6m
  27. Philippines: US$84.1m
  28. Indonesia: US$80.8m
  29. Austria: US$80.7m
  30. Thailand: US$61.7m
  31. Portugal: US$61.6m
  32. Ghana: US$59.8m
  33. Lebanon: US$59.5m
  34. Türkiye: US$58.3m
  35. South Africa: US$54m
  36. Pakistan: US$51.2m
  37. Myanmar (Burma): US$49.6m
  38. Chile: US$49.5m
  39. Ecuador: US$44.7m
  40. Greece: US$43.9m
  41. Ireland: US$43.2m
  42. Cambodia: US$42.3m
  43. Romania: US$37.5m
  44. Serbia: US$35.1m
  45. Switzerland: US$34.2m
  46. Tanzania: US$33.1m
  47. Libya: US$30.6m
  48. Vietnam: US$29.3m
  49. Israel: US$28.2m
  50. Russia: US$26.8m
  51. Oman: US$26.6m
  52. Brazil: US$26.2m
  53. Estonia: US$25.2m
  54. Togo: US$24.1m
  55. Laos: US$23.1m
  56. Iran: US$19.8m
  57. Belarus: US$18.5m
  58. Azerbaijan: US$18.4m
  59. Zambia: US$18.4m
  60. Costa Rica: US$18m

Top exporters

RankCountryValueShare
1 India US$885m 8.7%
2 Australia US$845.3m 8.3%
3 South Korea US$778.7m 7.7%
4 United Kingdom US$618.5m 6.1%
5 Germany US$568.9m 5.6%
6 Malaysia US$435.8m 4.3%
7 Belgium US$394.9m 3.9%
8 Canada US$361.9m 3.6%
9 Kazakhstan US$291.9m 2.9%
10 Bulgaria US$280m 2.8%

Top importers

RankCountryValueShare
1 India US$1.2bn 12.2%
2 United States US$971.6m 9.6%
3 Vietnam US$644.3m 6.3%
4 Germany US$613.2m 6%
5 Singapore US$568.4m 5.6%
6 China US$506.1m 5%
7 United Kingdom US$455.1m 4.5%
8 Czechia US$415.3m 4.1%
9 South Korea US$399.4m 3.9%
10 Türkiye US$312.1m 3.1%

Chapter notes

Subheading note

1. In this chapter, the expression ‘refined lead’ means:

Metal containing by weight at least 99,9 % of lead, provided that the content by weight of any other element does not exceed the limit specified in the following table:

ElementLimiting content % by weight
AgSilver0,02
AsArsenic0,005
BiBismuth0,05
CaCalcium0,002
CdCadmium0,002
CuCopper0,08
FeIron0,002
SSulphur0,002
SbAntimony0,005
SnTin0,005
ZnZinc0,002
Other (for example, Te), each0,001

Products classified here

Questions and answers

What is the HS code for lead and articles thereof?

Lead and articles thereof make up HS chapter 78, in section XV of the Harmonized System.

What is the import duty on lead and articles thereof in the UK?

Under the UK Global Tariff, imports under 78 from countries without a preferential agreement are free of duty. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.

What is the import duty on lead and articles thereof in the EU?

Under the EU Combined Nomenclature, imports under 78 from countries without a preferential agreement are charged at 0% to 5%, depending on the line. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.

Which country exports the most lead and articles thereof?

India, with US$885m in 2024 (8.7% of world exports).