HS Code Guide · EPM Subvention

HS Code 282520 Meaning — Lithium oxide and hydroxide: Global Trade, India & Factoring Guide

trad·HS 282520·28 — Inorganic chemicals··6 min read

HS 282520 covers lithium oxide and hydroxide. This guide explains what the code includes, its global trade, India's position, how GIFT City helps factor it, and whether MSME factoring qualifies for the 2.75% interest subvention.

What this HS code covers

HS 282520 sits in 28 — Inorganic chemicals. Official tariff description: “Lithium oxide and hydroxide” In plain terms, it covers lithium oxide and hydroxide. Classification decides duty and documents; this 6-digit line is in the DGFT positive list (Trade Notice 25/2025-26 Annex V), so MSME factoring under it qualifies for the 2.75% subvention — details below.

What is HS 282520?

HS 282520 covers lithium oxide and hydroxide. It is classified in 28 — Inorganic chemicals and the 6-digit line determines the exact customs treatment for this product.

Official description: Lithium oxide and hydroxide

What HS 282520 does in trade

  • Defines the product for customs, GST/RoDTEP and export documents — the 6-digit HS determines duty and incentives for HS 282520.
  • Is in the DGFT positive list (4185 lines, Annex V, Trade Notice 25/2025-26) — MSME export factoring for HS 282520 qualifies for 2.75% interest subvention when routed via RBI/IFSCA-regulated factors.
  • Helps factors price the receivable — tenor, buyer and product risk differ by HS, even though the HS itself is the eligibility trigger.

Global perspective — where HS 282520 moves

Global trade in inorganic chemicals is driven by manufacturing and commodity cycles. Demand is typically spread across the US, EU and Asia, with supply concentrated among a few large exporting economies for each HS.

Top global exportersTop global importers
ChinaUnited States
United StatesGermany
GermanyChina
IndiaUnited Kingdom
VietnamJapan
Indicative top traders for this HS category (OEC/WITS/TradeMap). Country mix shifts by season.

India's stance on HS 282520

India is an active trader in 28 — Inorganic chemicals — both as exporter and importer. For HS 282520, MSMEs can export where India has a production or processing edge; the DGFT positive list makes this line eligible for 2.75% factoring subvention, subject to IEC/Udyam and UIN rules.

Export docs to watch

Exports under HS 282520 need the standard set — GST invoice, shipping bill with 6-digit HS, e-way/B/L and for some HS, product-specific certificates (phytosanitary, BIS, CDSCO etc.). HS on the invoice must match the shipping bill.

GIFT City — factoring HS 282520 in foreign currency

Receivables for HS 282520 can be factored via India (RBI-regulated) or GIFT City (IFSCA-regulated IBU/Finance Company) — both offer the same 2.75% subvention under Trade Notice 25/2025-26 and IFSCA circular 19 Mar 2026. Pick by currency and buyer location.

Trad can route eligible invoices via an IFSCA-regulated IBU or Finance Company/Finance Unit undertaking factoring in GIFT City. The 2.75% subvention is identical whether you factor via India (RBI-regulated) or GIFT City (IFSCA-regulated) — the choice is about currency, banking relationship and buyer location, not the benefit rate.

Common financing stack for this HS

Factoring advances 70–90% in 24–48 hours after invoice verification; balance minus discount/fees on buyer payment. Works alongside packing credit — factoring covers the post-shipment open-account gap.

MSME subvention — is HS 282520 eligible for 2.75%?

Yes — HS 282520 is in the positive list (Trade Notice 25/2025-26 Annex V). MSMEs involved in international value chains with a valid active IEC (not in DEL) and valid Udyam can claim 2.75% per annum on the factoring interest cost element when factoring via an RBI/IFSCA-regulated entity.

CheckFor HS 282520
In positive list (HS-6)Yes — 282520 listed in Annex V
Benefit2.75% p.a. on interest cost element
Annual cap₹50 lakh per MSME per FY
Valid fromProspectively from 20 Feb 2026
Need UIN per factor?Yes — declaration of intent before factoring, valid till FY-end
Eligible factorsRBI-regulated (AD bank / factoring NBFC) or IFSCA-regulated (GIFT IBU/FC)
Not coveredDeemed exports (FTP Ch.7) & exports to SEZs
From Trade Notice 25/2025-26 — Policy Framework Annex I & II, Level of Assistance §5.

Eight-digit HS? Use first 6 digits

Eligibility is at HS-6. If your 8-digit HS (e.g. 28252010) starts with 282520, it inherits this eligibility. Verify on the HS checker — enter 6 or 8 digits.

Check HS 282520 — free

Verify any 6 or 8-digit HS against the DGFT positive list and see the 2.75% factoring eligibility in seconds.

Open HS checker

Frequently asked questions

What is HS 282520 — Lithium oxide and hydroxide?

HS 282520 covers lithium oxide and hydroxide. It is classified in 28 — Inorganic chemicals and the 6-digit line determines the exact customs treatment for this product.

Is HS 282520 eligible for the 2.75% interest subvention?

Yes. HS 282520 is in the DGFT positive list (Trade Notice 25/2025-26 Annex V, 4139 HS-6 lines). MSMEs factoring exports under this line via RBI/IFSCA-regulated factors can claim 2.75% per annum on the interest cost element, capped at ₹50 lakh per MSME per year, prospectively from 20 Feb 2026. Requires valid IEC (not in DEL), valid Udyam, and a UIN per factor obtained before factoring.

Who can claim the 2.75% for HS 282520 and how?

MSMEs (as defined by Ministry of MSME) with active IEC and Udyam, factoring eligible exports of HS 282520 via RBI/IFSCA-regulated entities. File a declaration of intent on the DGFT portal to get a UIN per factor (valid till FY-end), factor the invoice, the factor files monthly IEC-wise claims; subvention is credited to your IEC-linked bank account.

Can HS 282520 be factored via GIFT City?

Yes. IBUs and Finance Companies/Finance Units undertaking factoring in GIFT City (IFSCA-regulated) are eligible financial institutions under IFSCA circular 19 Mar 2026 and must extend the 2.75% benefit. Useful for USD/EUR receivables where you want foreign-currency factoring.

What does factoring for HS 282520 cost after subvention?

Indicatively, factoring discount/interest is priced commercially (often 8–12% p.a. depending on buyer, tenor, currency) plus factoring fee ~0.5–3% ⚠️. The 2.75% offsets only the interest element — e.g. a 9% interest cost becomes ~6.25% effective on that element if eligible. Fees/insurance/FX remain. Compare all-in cost.

Related HS codes

Compare HS 282520 with other MSME-export lines in the same chapter or family.

HS 280110 — ChlorineHS 280120 — IodineHS 280130 — Fluorine — bromineHS 280200 — Sulphur — sublimed or precipitatedHS 280410 — HydrogenHS 280421 — Gases, rare — argon

See all codes on the HS code guides hub, or read the 2.75% subvention deep-dive.