8549.13.00.00 - Sorted by chemical type and not containing lead, cadmium or mercury

This HTS classification, 8549.13.00.00, specifically covers waste and scrap of primary cells, primary batteries, and electric accumulators that have been sorted by their chemical type but are notably free of lead, cadmium, and mercury. This means that materials like spent alkaline batteries, zinc-carbon batteries, or lithium primary cells that have been segregated based on their constituent elements will fall under this heading, provided they do not contain the specified hazardous heavy metals.

It is crucial to distinguish this category from its siblings. Unlike 8549.11, it does not pertain to lead-acid accumulators. Furthermore, it is separate from 8549.12, which encompasses waste and scrap containing lead, cadmium, or mercury. This category also differs from 8549.14.00.00 by being sorted by chemical type; 8549.14.00.00 applies to unsorted materials that are also free of lead, cadmium, and mercury. Finally, 8549.19.00.00 is a residual category for other types of battery waste and scrap not otherwise specified.

As 8549.13.00.00 is a terminal node within the HTS, it does not have further subcategories. Therefore, classification within this heading relies solely on accurately identifying the nature of the sorted battery waste or scrap and confirming the absence of lead, cadmium, and mercury. Examples of qualifying materials include sorted residues from the recycling of non-rechargeable batteries where the primary chemical components have been identified and segregated, and post-consumer waste from primary cells or batteries confirmed to be free of the restricted heavy metals.