Cobalt-Plated Electronics Scrap
Cobalt-plated electronics scrap consists of circuit boards and components with cobalt hard disk platters or plating, collected for metal recovery. This product falls under tariff item 8105.30.00 because it is definitively not usable as an electronic device due to breakage, wear, or obsolescence, and its primary value lies in the cobalt content. The cobalt is present as a coating or plating, making it a form of cobalt waste and scrap for metallurgical recovery.
Import Duty Rates by Country of Origin
| Origin Country | MFN Tariff | Surtaxes | Total Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇳China | Free | — | Free |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | Free | — | Free |
| 🇺🇸United States | Free | — | Free |
| 🇩🇪Germany | Free | — | Free |
| 🇯🇵Japan | Free | — | Free |
More Specific Codes
This product may fall under a more specific subheading:
Alternative Classifications
This product could be classified differently depending on its characteristics or intended use.
If the cobalt plating is removed and the cobalt is recovered as a usable article
Once processed into a usable form, the cobalt would no longer be waste and scrap.
If the scrap contains significant iron or steel content and is classified as ferrous waste
Mixed scrap with a predominance of iron or steel would be classified under Chapter 72, not Chapter 81.
Not sure which classification is right?
The Tariff Assistant works through the GRI rules on your specific product to reach the right tariff item — and can price the duty on it in the same conversation.
Import Tips & Compliance
• Separate cobalt-bearing components from other electronics scrap to facilitate classification and avoid contamination with materials that may fall under other headings
• Provide documentation, such as a bill of lading and a description of the recovery process, to demonstrate that the goods are waste and scrap, not functional articles
• Check if the scrap qualifies for duty-free entry under the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) tariff, and consider whether an import permit is needed under the Basel Convention for hazardous waste
Related Products under Tariff item 8105.30.00
Cobalt Alloy Turbine Blade Scrap
> Scrap from superalloy turbine blades containing cobalt, nickel, and chromium, sourced from aerospace engine overhauls. These blades are no longer usable as articles and are destined for metal recovery, thus qualifying as waste and scrap of cobalt under tariff item 8105.30.00.
Cobalt Brazing Alloy Scrap
> Scrap rods and wire from cobalt-based brazing alloys used in tool manufacturing. These are discarded as waste from production processes and are valued for their cobalt content, meeting the definition of waste and scrap under heading 81.05.
Cobalt Chemical Catalyst Scrap
> Spent cobalt-based catalysts from petrochemical processes, in pelleted or powdered form, containing cobalt oxide on supports. These are no longer effective as catalysts and are recovered for their cobalt content, classifying as waste and scrap of cobalt.
Cobalt Dental Alloy Scrap
> Scrap from cobalt-chrome dental prosthetics and crowns, collected from dental labs. These items are discarded after fabrication or use and are recovered for their cobalt content, fitting the definition of waste and scrap under tariff item 8105.30.00.
Cobalt Foam Filter Scrap
> Spent cobalt foam filters from molten metal casting, saturated with impurities. These filters have reached the end of their useful life and are recovered for cobalt recycling, making them waste and scrap under tariff item 8105.30.00.
Cobalt Magnet Scrap
> Scrap from Alnico permanent magnets containing cobalt, aluminum, and nickel, rejected from manufacturing or end-of-life electronics. These magnets are no longer usable and are processed for metal recovery, classifying as waste and scrap of cobalt.