Customs Clearance of Alkali & Alkaline-Earth Metals in Iran: Sodium, Calcium & Mercury (HS Codes, Permits, and Documents)

Clearing alkali and alkaline-earth metals is a specialized, multi-step process due to high reactivity and environmental/health sensitivities. Metals like sodium (Na) and calcium (Ca) are widely used in chemicals, construction, agriculture, and pharma, while mercury (Hg)—despite strict curbs—still appears in select equipment. Based on your source details, this page brings together process steps, permits, HS Codes, practical tips, Iran & global market notes, and Saba Tarkhis’ dedicated services to minimize cargo stoppages and extra costs.

1) Detailed Description & Clearance Characteristics

Alkali metals (Group 1), like sodium, are highly reactive and can react dangerously upon contact with moisture/oxygen; they are therefore kept in controlled conditions (under oil/paraffin, vacuum packing or inert gas). Alkaline-earth metals (Group 2), like calcium, are reactive but usually more stable than alkalis. Mercury is a heavy metal that is liquid at room temperature; given its high toxicity and environmental impacts, it faces strict limitations. For clearance, metal/compound type, purity, physical form, packaging, transport mode, hazard class, GHS/Farsi labeling, and health/environmental permits are decisive.

• Complete technical data in documents (purity, form of supply, net/gross weight, packaging type, storage conditions).
• Coordinated safe transport & storage (away from moisture/oxidizers/incompatible materials; proper ventilation; temperature control).
• Provide valid MSDS and hazard labels per GHS and national rules.

2) Types & Applications

Sodium (Na)

A soft, silvery, highly reactive metal; used in chemicals (making sodium carbonate/hydroxide), glass, papermaking, soapmaking, metal refining, and some industrial batteries. Due to instability, it’s typically stored in anaerobic environments or under oil.

Calcium (Ca)

An alkaline-earth metal, less reactive than sodium; widely used in metallurgy, alloys, construction (cement), agriculture (soil improvement), and chemicals (calcium chloride/carbonate/sulfate). It also serves as a mineral supplement in food/pharma.

Mercury (Hg)

The only liquid metal at room temperature with decent conductivity; formerly used in thermometers/barometers, some lamps and specialty batteries; today, due to severe toxicity and environmental rules, its use and movement are strictly controlled.

3) Key Steps & Clearance Tips

1. Order registration in the National Trade System with metal/compound type, purity, packaging, and safety conditions.
2. Foreign currency provision (if needed) and transport mode selection consistent with hazard class/packaging (sea/air/road).
3. Document prep: invoice, packing list, B/L, certificate of origin, MSDS, health/standard & environmental certificates.
4. Accurate customs declaration with the correct HS Code; include GHS warnings and storage instructions in remarks.
5. Assessment, possible sampling, and payment of duties/charges/VAT based on CIF.
6. Final release and safe delivery to warehouse/plant with safety instructions and a brief training.

4) Customs Tariffs / HS Codes

Based on the provided data, the following lines apply to selected items. Final HS classification may vary with purity, physical form, and end-use.

Entries are examples only; for each compound, determine the exact HS from its own tariff description.

5) Special Conditions for Import & Export

• Sodium/Calcium: Typically with general import permits; depending on use/volume, health and standards permits may be required.
• Mercury: Requires special permits from the Department of Environment and Ministry of Health; may be restricted under international frameworks (e.g., Minamata Convention).
• Mandatory: safe packaging, hazard labeling, and transport per international standards.

6) Iran Market: Exporters to Iran & Destinations for Iranian Exports

7) Trade Volumes & Duties

Sodium imports are notable due to chemical/pharma demand; calcium is significant for construction/agriculture. Mercury imports are limited and typically in small quantities because of hazards. Import duties and VAT are calculated on CIF value and vary by HS and current policy.

8) Global Market: Major Exporters & Importers

Global demand for sodium/sodium compounds and calcium is tied to glass, chemicals, construction, and agriculture; environmental limits on mercury tightly constrain and monitor its trade. Countries with advanced chemical industries and strong mine/supply chains hold larger export shares.

9) Documents Required for Clearance

• Order registration in the National Trade System and (if needed) FX allocation.
• Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading, Packing List, Certificate of Origin.
• MSDS and hazard labels per GHS and national requirements.
• Standards/health certificates and environmental permits (especially for mercury).
• Insurance documents and proof of VAT/duty payments.

10) Fast Clearance in Iran + Saba Tarkhis Services

1. Precise identification & HS Code selection based on purity, form, and use.
2. Compliance of packaging/labeling; prepare MSDS and permits.
3. Order registration, plan safe shipment, expert declaration.
4. Assessment, payment of duties/charges, respond to inspection/sampling.
5. Release, delivery, and provide operational safety instructions.

Key Notes & Practical Tips

• For sodium, strictly prevent contact with water/moisture; oil/inert packaging is advised.
• For calcium, pay attention to purity and physical form (granule/powder/ingot) in the declaration.
• For mercury, secure environmental and health permits before shipment; check international restrictions.
• Query HS for each compound separately; don’t generalize the metal’s HS to its compounds.

Multimedia Suggestions

• Image filename: alkali-alkaline-earth-clearance-hs2805.jpg
• Alt Text: Customs clearance of alkali & alkaline-earth metals in Iran with HS Codes
• Caption: “From order registration to safe clearance of sodium, calcium, and mercury”
• Infographic: “Permit checklist & safe packaging for reactive metals”

Suggested Links

• Saba Tarkhis Customs Clearance Services
• HS Code Selection Guide
• Wikipedia, WTO, UN