Antimony
Antimony is a brittle silver grey metalloid, recovered mostly from the sulphide mineral stibnite and as a by product of lead and copper smelting. Its largest use by far is antimony trioxide, the flame retardant synergist blended into plastics, textiles, cable sheathing, upholstery and electronics housings. It hardens lead in lead acid battery grids, bearings, solder, type metal and ammunition, and it goes into glass and ceramic decolourising agents, catalysts for polyester resin, semiconductors and infrared detectors. It is on the critical raw material lists of most industrial economies.
Listed antimony markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Grades
Antimony trades as concentrate, as crude and refined metal in ingot form, and as trioxide powder. The contract turns on the contained antimony, on the deleterious elements that follow stibnite, and on the payable and treatment schedule that converts the assay into money.
Chemical assay
13 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Product formDeclared, as sulphide concentrate, crude metal, refined ingot, or trioxide | The form sets the whole contract. Concentrate is priced on payable contained metal, ingot on purity, trioxide on antimony trioxide content and colour. |
| AntimonyPercentage by mass, on a dry basis | Determined by X-ray fluorescence on a fused bead under ISO 12677 or by the wet chemical reference method named in the contract. The payable assay and the headline grade term. |
| Antimony trioxide contentPercentage by mass | For the trioxide product, the assay that the flame retardant compounder buys against. |
| ArsenicPercentage by mass, or milligrams per kilogram, maximum | The principal penalty element. Arsenic follows stibnite closely and it is the term most likely to reject a parcel or move the treatment charge. |
| LeadPercentage by mass, maximum | Penalised in concentrate and specified tightly in refined ingot and in trioxide destined for consumer goods. |
| BismuthPercentage by mass, maximum | A refining penalty element, difficult to remove and specified on high purity metal. |
| CopperPercentage by mass, maximum | Penalised in concentrate and controlled in refined grades. |
| SulphurPercentage by mass | Inherent in the sulphide concentrate, and a roasting cost at the smelter. |
| Silica and insolublesPercentage by mass, maximum | Gangue diluting the payable metal and adding slag volume. |
| IronPercentage by mass, maximum | Reports to slag and is deducted or penalised depending on the schedule. |
| Selenium and mercuryMilligrams per kilogram, maximum | Environmental penalty elements at the roaster, controlled by the smelter emissions permit. |
| Gold and silverGrams per tonne | Where present in the concentrate, credited under a separate payable schedule. |
| MoisturePercentage by mass | Determined by oven drying. Deducted from wet weight to reach the dry metric tonnes that settle. |
Physical properties
6 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Ingot form and weightDeclared, in kilograms per ingot | Ingot size, marking and bundling, which drive the handling and the melt shop feed. |
| Surface condition of ingotDeclared | Free of oxide film, dross and adhering mould wash, so the metal melts clean. |
| Bulk densityKilograms per cubic metre, loose | For concentrate and powder, setting the hold, the bag and the freight cube. |
| Whiteness and tint strength of trioxideReported in the CIE colour space, and against the named tint method | The performance terms for trioxide in white and pastel plastic compounds. |
| Oil absorption of trioxideGrams per hundred grams | Determined by the standard extender method. It drives the loading a compounder can achieve. |
| Free flowing behaviourReported against the named method | Whether the powder discharges from a bag and feeds a compounding line without bridging. |
Particle size and sizing
4 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Sizing of concentratePercentage by mass passing and retained at each stated aperture | Determined on test sieves conforming to ISO 3310. Grind size affects the roast and it is a contract term at the smelter. |
| Median particle size of trioxideMicrometres | Determined by laser diffraction under ISO 13320. The particle size governs the dispersion and the opacity in the polymer. |
| OversizePercentage by mass, maximum, above the stated aperture | Grit in a trioxide powder shows as a defect in a moulded part, so it is a rejection term. |
| Dust and finesPercentage by mass, maximum | A handling, hygiene and loss term at both ends. |
Payable terms, charges and deductions
8 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Payable antimonyPercentage of the contained metal | The share of the assayed antimony the buyer pays for, set against the reference price named in the contract. |
| Minimum deductionUnits of antimony per dry tonne | The fixed unit deduction applied before the payable percentage, where the schedule uses one. |
| Treatment chargeCurrency per dry metric tonne | The smelter charge for converting concentrate to metal, negotiated annually and on the spot cargo. |
| Arsenic penaltyCurrency per unit above the stated threshold | Stepped by concentration, and it is the penalty that most often decides whether a parcel clears. |
| Other penalty elementsCurrency per unit above the stated threshold | Lead, bismuth, copper, selenium and mercury, each with its own free limit and rate. |
| Precious metal creditsPayable percentage, with a refining charge per ounce | Where gold and silver are present above the minimum deduction. |
| Price reference and quotational periodDeclared | The published price series named in the contract and the month or averaging window over which it is fixed. |
| Assay exchange and splitting limitDeclared | The tolerance within which buyer and seller assays are split, and the umpire arrangement outside it. |
Contaminants and regulated substances
6 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Radioactivity screeningBecquerels per kilogram, or a pass at the port monitor | Screened before loading and again at discharge, because a monitor alarm stops the cargo. |
| Respirable dust and occupational exposureMilligrams per cubic metre, against the limit in force | Antimony trioxide is classified as a suspected carcinogen by inhalation, and the handling controls are a contract term. |
| Chemical registrationDeclared, per destination | Registration of antimony and antimony trioxide at the destination, named on the contract. |
| Restricted substances complianceDeclared, against the named regulation | Where the trioxide is destined for electrical, electronic or consumer goods, the restricted substances and toy safety limits in force. |
| Transboundary movement classificationDeclared | Whether the material is classified as waste at origin, transit or destination, and the notification and consent that follow. |
| Responsible sourcingDeclared | Origin, chain of custody and the due diligence statement where the destination requires one. |
Delivery, documentation and certification
9 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Form and packingDeclared | Bulk in the hold, big bags of a stated net weight, or containerised in liners. Concentrate moves wet and the pack has to hold it. |
| Moisture at loadingPercentage by mass, maximum | Determined by oven drying on a loading sample under the concentrate moisture standard. It is deducted to reach dry metric tonnes. |
| Transportable moisture limitPercentage by mass, certified before loading | Metal concentrates are group A cargoes that can liquefy. The flow moisture point and the transportable moisture limit are certified by an approved laboratory and the master will not load above them. |
| Weight basisDry metric tonnes | Wet weight less moisture, on shipped weight or landed weight, with the survey house and the draft survey method named. |
| Sampling and assay protocolDeclared, to the named international standard | Who samples, at which point, how the lot is split and sealed, the exchange of assays, the splitting limit, and the umpire laboratory that settles a difference outside it. |
| Certificate of analysisDocument, per lot | Issued by the named laboratory against the contract specification, referencing the lot and the sampling record. |
| Safety data sheetDocument, to the globally harmonised system format | Classification, dust and handling controls, supplied with every consignment. |
| Regulatory and transboundary complianceDeclared | Chemical registration at the destination, and where the material falls under the transboundary movement regime, the notification and consent in place before shipment. |
| Origin and due diligenceDeclared, with the mine or plant named | Country of origin, the mine or processing plant, and the responsible sourcing statement where the destination requires one. |
Grades outside this list trade on request. Send us the contract specification you work to and we will price against it.
Locations
| Country | Region | We trade it as |
|---|---|---|
| China | East Asia | Origin and destination |
| Russian Federation | Eurasia | Origin and destination |
| Turkiye | Europe and Anatolia | Origin and destination |
| Bolivia, Plurinational State of | South America | Origin and destination |
| Australia | Oceania | Origin and destination |
| Thailand | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Viet Nam | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Kazakhstan | Central Asia | Origin and destination |
| Iran | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| South Africa | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Ghana | West Africa | Origin and destination |
| Nigeria | West Africa | Origin and destination |
| Mexico | North America | Origin and destination |
| Peru | South America | Origin and destination |
| Chile | South America | Origin and destination |
| Argentina | South America | Origin and destination |
| Colombia | South America | Origin and destination |
| United States | North America | Origin and destination |
| Canada | North America | Origin and destination |
| Brazil | South America | Origin and destination |
| Japan | East Asia | Destination |
| Korea, Republic of | East Asia | Destination |
| India | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| Indonesia | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Malaysia | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Singapore | Southeast Asia | Trading and finance |
| Netherlands | Northwest Europe | Destination and trading hub |
| Germany | Western Europe | Destination |
| France | Western Europe | Origin and destination |
| United Kingdom | Northern Europe | Origin and destination |
| Spain | Southern Europe | Origin and destination |
| Italy | Southern Europe | Origin and destination |
| Poland | Central Europe | Origin and destination |
| Czechia | Central Europe | Origin and destination |
| Bulgaria | Southeast Europe | Origin and destination |
| Romania | Southeast Europe | Origin and destination |
| Ukraine | Eastern Europe | Origin and destination |
| Switzerland | Western Europe | Trading and finance |
| United Arab Emirates | Middle East | Destination and trading hub |
| Saudi Arabia | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| Israel | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| Egypt | North Africa | Origin and destination |
| Morocco | North Africa | Origin and destination |
| New Zealand | Oceania | Origin and destination |
| Pakistan | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| Sri Lanka | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| Portugal | Southern Europe | Origin and destination |
| Tanzania, United Republic of | East Africa | Origin and destination |
| Kenya | East Africa | Origin and destination |
| Zimbabwe | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Namibia | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Mozambique | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Madagascar | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Senegal | West Africa | Origin and destination |
| Algeria | North Africa | Origin and destination |
| Tunisia | North Africa | Origin and destination |
| Qatar | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| Oman | Middle East | Origin and destination |
| Uganda | East Africa | Origin and destination |
| Belgium | Northwest Europe | Destination |
Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown here.
Timing
Production is when the ore is mined and the concentrate is produced at origin, which follows the mine plan, the smelter maintenance calendar and the weather at the pit rather than a crop season. Arrival is when a shipment from that origin typically lands in a consuming market. The gap between them is drying, blending, stockpiling and the voyage.
HarvestArrival
| Origin | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| China | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecThe largest producer and refiner, with output following the mine quota and the smelter maintenance calendar rather than a season. |
| Tajikistan | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecA major primary producer, shipping concentrate and metal out by rail through Central Asia. |
| Russian Federation | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecSignificant by product and primary production feeding domestic and Asian refiners. |
| Turkey | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecConcentrate and metal production supplying European and Asian consumers through Mediterranean ports. |
| Bolivia | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Harvest Apr to Nov, arrival Jun to JanTraditional stibnite production, with mining and haulage weighted to the dry season and export through Pacific ports. | ||
| Australia | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecPrimary and by product production shipping to Asian smelters. |
| Myanmar | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest Nov to May, arrival Jan to JulConcentrate production moving overland to Chinese processors, with the rainy season limiting the mining window. | |||
| Kazakhstan | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecRefined metal production from imported and domestic concentrate, railing west and east. |
Windows outside this pattern trade on request, including carry, forward positions and tonnage already sitting in a destination warehouse, smelter stockyard or bonded terminal.
Customs, packing and contract terms
Indicative terms for antimony. Tariff classification is the importer’s responsibility and limits change, so confirm both against the destination customs authority and the current regulation before you fix a contract.
- HS heading2617.10 Antimony ores and concentrates
8110.10 Unwrought antimony and powders - Packing1 t big bags in a container, or bulk in lined containers. Sealed and sampled at load with retained samples held by both sides.
- Container loading20ft: 26 t to 28 t. Weight limited. Transportable moisture limit certificate required before the box moves.
- Contract and arbitrationSale on dry metric tonne unit against an assay exchange with an umpire laboratory clause. LME, Fastmarkets or Argus assessments as the price reference. Arbitration under ICC or LME rules.
- Destination limitsIMSBC Code declaration with a transportable moisture limit certificate, EU REACH, and export licensing in several origins that has repeatedly halted trade at short notice. Antimony trioxide is on the EU candidate list, so downstream REACH obligations apply. Arsenic content is both a quality penalty and a customs question.
Common questions
What grades of antimony does SIP Global trade?
We quote 46 published grades of antimony, including Product form - Declared, as sulphide concentrate, crude metal, refined ingot, or trioxide, Antimony - Percentage by mass, on a dry basis, Antimony trioxide content - Percentage by mass, Arsenic - Percentage by mass, or milligrams per kilogram, maximum, Lead - Percentage by mass, maximum and Bismuth - Percentage by mass, maximum. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is antimony graded?
Antimony trades as concentrate, as crude and refined metal in ingot form, and as trioxide powder. The contract turns on the contained antimony, on the deleterious elements that follow stibnite, and on the payable and treatment schedule that converts the assay into money. Grading runs on 6 systems: Chemical assay, Physical properties, Particle size and sizing, Payable terms, charges and deductions, Contaminants and regulated substances and Delivery, documentation and certification.
Where does SIP Global trade antimony?
We trade antimony in China, Russian Federation, Turkiye, Bolivia, Plurinational State of, Australia, Thailand, Viet Nam and Kazakhstan and 52 further markets. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is antimony harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are China: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Tajikistan: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Russian Federation: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Turkey: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Bolivia: harvest apr to nov, arrival jun to jan. Harvest is when the lot is taken at origin, arrival is when a shipment from that origin lands in a consuming market. Windows outside this pattern, including carry, trade on request.
What is the HS code for antimony?
Antimony is normally classified under HS 2617.10 (antimony ores and concentrates) and HS 8110.10 (unwrought antimony and powders). The heading follows the form the goods are in at the border, and national tariffs extend it beyond six digits, so confirm the full line with the destination customs authority before you fix a contract.
How do I get a price for antimony?
Send the grade, the origin and the delivery window to the SIP Global desk. That is enough for a trader to come back with a level and a settlement route. 1 listed antimony market is published on this page, each with its full specification and terms. We take both sides, physical and financial, prompt to long dated.
Standards and data sources
The grading language on this sheet follows published standards. Trade volumes and tariff lines are public record. Verify anything here against the source.
- ISOInternational Organization for Standardization
- UN ComtradeOfficial international trade statistics by HS code
- ITC Trade MapBilateral trade flows and tariff data
- FAOSTATFAO production and trade series for agricultural commodities
Price this with our desk
Grade, origin and window if you have them. If what you are carrying does not fit the sheet above, describe it in your own words and a trader will take it from there.