Magnesium Powder HS Code and Import Guide — What Every Buyer in Mexico, Brazil, Vietnam, and Peru Needs to Know

1. HS Codes for Magnesium Powder and Related Products

The Harmonized System (HS) code is the international classification used by customs authorities worldwide. For magnesium powder and related metal powders, the relevant codes are:

The 6-digit HS code is the international common ground. Each country then appends additional digits for their own tariff schedule — Mexico uses 8 digits, Brazil uses 10 (NCM), Vietnam uses 8, Peru uses 10. Your customs broker will handle the country-specific extension, but getting the 6-digit base right is your responsibility as the importer.

2. Country-Specific HS Codes and Duty Rates

Mexico

Mexico uses the TIGIE (Tarifa de la Ley de los Impuestos Generales de Importación y de Exportación) — an 8-digit extension of the HS code.

Mexico also applies IVA (VAT) of 16% on imports. This is not a duty — it is a tax you pay at import and recover through your tax filings. Budget for it in your landed cost calculation. Shipments above a threshold value require a Mexican customs broker (agente aduanal) — this is a legal requirement, not optional.

Brazil

Brazil uses the NCM (Nomenclatura Comum do Mercosul) — a 10-digit code aligned to HS at the 6-digit level. Brazil has the most complex import tax structure of the four markets covered here.

Brazil's import tax structure is layered — the II (Imposto de Importação) is just the first layer. You also pay IPI (Imposto sobre Produtos Industrializados), PIS, COFINS, and ICMS. For magnesium powder, the total effective tax burden at the port (Santos or Paranaguá) can be 40–60% of the CIF (Cost + Insurance + Freight) value. This is not a surprise if you budget for it upfront; it is a nasty shock if you do not.

Vietnam

Vietnam uses an 8-digit import tariff code, aligned to ASEAN Harmonised Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN). It is the most import-friendly of the four markets for Indian exporters.

The ASEAN-India Free Trade Agreement (AIFTA) brings duties on most metal powders close to zero for Vietnamese importers — but you must supply a Certificate of Origin (Form AI) issued by India's Export Inspection Council or DGFT to claim the preferential rate. Without it, you pay the standard MFN duty. This is a document we prepare with every Vietnam shipment as standard.

Peru

Peru has a relatively open import policy and uses a 10-digit national tariff (Arancel de Aduanas del Perú).

3. Dangerous Goods Classification — What Every Shipment Needs

Magnesium powder and magnalium powder are both classified as dangerous goods. This affects your shipping documentation, packaging, and which carriers will accept the shipment.

Note the difference between magnesium powder and magnalium powder. Magnalium is Class 4.3 (“Dangerous when wet”) rather than Class 4.1. This affects packaging requirements and surcharges. Class 4.3 is a more restrictive classification — some carriers that handle Class 4.1 will not accept 4.3 without special arrangements. Check with your freight forwarder before booking.

4. Required Documentation for a Clean Customs Clearance

For every shipment of magnesium or magnalium powder from India, you should receive or arrange the following documents before the vessel departs:

• Commercial Invoice — must show HS code, unit price, total value in USD or buyer's preferred currency, Incoterms, and country of origin (India)
• Packing List — gross weight, net weight, number of packages, package type (typically UN-certified steel or fibre drums)
• Bill of Lading (sea) or Airway Bill (air)
• Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS / SDS) — must be in the local language for Vietnam, Brazil, and Mexico. An English-only MSDS may not satisfy customs in those markets.
• Dangerous Goods Declaration — signed and certified by the shipper. Mandatory for all Class 4.1 and 4.3 shipments.
• Certificate of Analysis (CoA) — batch-specific purity and particle size data
• Certificate of Origin — required for preferential duty treatment (critical for Vietnam under AIFTA). Form A or Form AI depending on the scheme.
• Insurance Certificate — required if Incoterms are CIF or CIP

For Brazil: you also need to be registered with RADAR (the Brazilian import licensing system operated by Receita Federal). This is your registration as an importer, not the supplier's — but get it sorted well before your first shipment, as processing takes time.

5. Practical Notes from 30 Years of Export

Sea freight only for bulk orders. Many airlines will not accept Class 4 dangerous goods above exemption quantity limits (typically 500g for 4.3 materials under IATA). For anything above 50 kg, sea freight is the practical route. Typical transit from India to Manzanillo (Mexico): 25–35 days. Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam): 12–18 days. Santos (Brazil): 20–30 days. Callao (Peru): 22–28 days.

Request UN-certified packaging explicitly. When ordering, specify UN-certified packaging — typically UN 4G or UN 4GV fibre drums, or UN 1A2 steel drums. Standard industrial drums are not the same and will not satisfy dangerous goods requirements.

The MSDS language requirement is most strictly enforced in Brazil.Brazilian customs inspectors routinely flag shipments where the MSDS is only in English. We supply Portuguese-language MSDS for all Brazilian shipments. Ask specifically for this when ordering.

Build in extra time for your first shipment. Customs will conduct a more thorough inspection of first-time product-supplier combinations in all four markets. Subsequent shipments clear faster once you are in the system. Do not plan a production run around the first shipment arriving exactly on schedule.