CAS 7440-50-8 · K-REACH · Republic of Korea

Copper metal (Cu) under K-REACH

Cu · 铜

Status: Registered. Copper metal is registered under K-REACH (massive metal exemption may apply). NOT on Korea TCCA Toxic Chemicals list at refined copper level (verify against the current TCCA Toxic Chemicals list at https://www.nics.go.kr/ before relying). **Korea Trade Commission has historic and active AD/CVD investigations on Chinese-origin downstream copper PRODUCTS** (verify exact current measures + duty rates per case + per producer against https://www.ktc.go.kr/ before invoicing). KCFTA preferential zero-duty applies for Chinese-origin imports (subject to AD/CVD overlay). **Korea is a major copper-product exporter via LS Cable + System (Anyang) + Iljin Materials (copper foil) + ILJIN Electric** but a net-importer of refined cathode given limited domestic copper-mine output; primary cathode-import sources Chile (Codelco + BHP Escondida + Antofagasta) + Peru (Freeport-McMoRan + Southern Copper) + Mongolia (Rio Tinto Oyu Tolgoi).

K-REACH treats copper metal as a routine registered substance with no TCCA overlay (massive metal exemption may apply). KCFTA preferential zero-duty subject to AD/CVD overlay. **Korea is a major copper-product exporter via LS Cable + System (Anyang) + Iljin Materials (copper foil for lithium-ion battery anode current collector) + ILJIN Electric but a net-importer of refined cathode**; primary cathode-import sources Chile + Peru + Mongolia. **Cu distinguishing pattern across all 5 regimes**: LME Copper Grade A (Cu-CATH-1, ≥99.9935% Cu) + COMEX + SHFE benchmark contracts; primary mine production via porphyry-copper sulphide ore flotation + secondary scrap recycling ~30 to 35%; ~70% electrical / electronic conductors (cable + wire) + ~30% tube + sheet / strip + alloy + foil downstream; **multiple US + EU + Australian + Korean AD/CVD measures on Chinese-origin downstream copper PRODUCTS (foil + sheet / strip + tube + alloy + wire / cable) across multiple cases (verify per case + per producer at access.trade.gov + EUR-Lex + industry.gov.au/anti-dumping-commission + ktc.go.kr)**; **Section 232 US national security investigation on copper imports announced 25 February 2025 under EO 14220**; **EU CBAM Phase 2 candidate** (NOT in Phase 1 scope); Aquatic Acute 1 + Chronic 1 in particulate / powder form only + IARC not classified + NOT regulated as dangerous goods in massive metal form; major non-Chinese mine + smelter producers Codelco (Chile) + BHP (Chile + Australia Olympic Dam) + Freeport-McMoRan (USA + Indonesia + Peru + Chile) + Glencore (DRC + Zambia + Australia + Chile) + Rio Tinto (Mongolia Oyu Tolgoi + USA Kennecott) + Antofagasta (Chile) + Anglo American Quellaveco (Peru) + Southern Copper (Peru + Mexico); **China is the world's largest refiner (~45% global share) but a structural net-importer of cathode** (Jiangxi Copper Guixi + Tongling Anhui + Yunnan Copper Kunming + Daye Hubei Huangshi + Zijin Mining Fujian + China Copper); Australia major mining + refining producer (BHP Olympic Dam SA + Glencore Mount Isa QLD + Newcrest Cadia NSW + OZ Minerals Carrapateena SA + Sandfire DeGrussa WA + MMG Rosebery TAS).

Listing and threshold

Substance Copper metal (Cu) (CAS 7440-50-8), Cu
Regime Korea Act on the Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (Act No. 11789, "K-REACH" amended 2018)
Jurisdiction Republic of Korea
Status Registered
Tonnage threshold K-REACH registration required for existing chemicals manufactured or imported >1 tonne/year (massive metal exemption may apply per K-REACH guidance; verify against Korean Ministry of Environment / NIER guidance, https://chemical.chemlinked.com/chempedia/k-reach; threshold for new substances was reduced from 0.1 t/y to 1 t/y effective 1 January 2025 per K-REACH 2025 amendment)

Classifications under this regime

  • Korean GHS classification: Aquatic Acute 1 + Aquatic Chronic 1 in particulate / powder form (verify against current MoE / NIER GHS before relying)
  • NOT on Korea TCCA Toxic Chemicals list at refined copper level (verify against the current TCCA Toxic Chemicals list at https://www.nics.go.kr/ before relying)
  • Korean Customs Service (KCS) HS code: 7403 (refined cathode) / 7404 (waste + scrap) / 7407-7411 (downstream products)
  • Korean MoEL OEL: copper dust 1 mg/m3 + fume 0.1 mg/m3 typically (verify against current MoEL Industrial Safety + Health Act OEL list at https://www.moel.go.kr/ before relying)
  • **Korea Trade Commission historic and active AD/CVD investigations on Chinese-origin downstream copper PRODUCTS** (verify per case + per producer against https://www.ktc.go.kr/)
  • IARC: Not classified

Restrictions and conditions of use

  • No TCCA Toxic Chemicals Handling Permit required at refined copper level
  • KOSHA MSDS in Korean required at workplace (Aquatic Acute 1 + Chronic 1 in particulate / powder form)
  • **Korea Trade Commission historic and active AD/CVD investigations on Chinese-origin downstream copper PRODUCTS; verify per case + per producer against https://www.ktc.go.kr/ before invoicing**
  • KCFTA preferential zero-duty applies (HS 7403 / 7404 / 7407-7411) subject to AD/CVD overlay where applicable

Importer obligations

Korean importer of record must hold K-REACH registration (massive metal exemption may apply). **Korea is a major copper-product exporter** but a net-importer of refined cathode; primary cathode-import sources Chile + Peru + Mongolia. **AD/CVD scope determination per Chinese-origin downstream copper product per case + per producer at Korea Trade Commission**.

Required documents

  • K-REACH registration number on Korean side (or massive metal exemption documentation)
  • Korean MSDS (Aquatic Acute 1 + Aquatic Chronic 1 in particulate / powder form)
  • KCS declaration with HS 7403 / 7404 / 7407-7411
  • China-Korea FTA Form CO
  • **AD/CVD entry documentation per Chinese-origin downstream copper product case + per producer (verify against https://www.ktc.go.kr/ per case)**

Common compliance traps

The pitfalls that have bitten importers on this lane in the past. None of these is theoretical.

  • **Korea Trade Commission historic and active AD/CVD investigations on Chinese-origin downstream copper PRODUCTS (verify per case + per producer at ktc.go.kr)**
  • KCFTA preferential zero-duty applies subject to AD/CVD overlay
  • **Korea is a major copper-product exporter** (LS Cable + System Anyang + Iljin Materials copper foil + ILJIN Electric) but a net-importer of refined cathode
  • Korean MoEL OEL copper dust 1 mg/m3 + fume 0.1 mg/m3
  • NOT on TCCA Toxic Chemicals list at refined copper level
  • **~70% electrical / electronic conductors (cable + wire including LS Cable + System) + ~30% copper tube + sheet / strip + alloy + Iljin Materials copper foil for battery anode current collector downstream chains**

Where to read next

For substance-level identifiers (formula, molecular weight, SMILES, InChIKey), GHS hazard profile, IMDG transport class, and full sourcing reference for copper metal (cu), see the CAS 7440-50-8 sourcing reference.

For grade-by-grade buying notes, freight maths, supplier-tier pricing, and a worked landed-cost example, the copper metal (cu) cornerstone hub covers the full sourcing chain.

For the structure and history of K-REACH, see the K-REACH glossary entry.

Need cross-jurisdiction compliance support on this substance? Run it through the REACH / TSCA / IECSC / AICIS / K-REACH checker, or send us the substance and the destination and we will quote FOB China and CIF / DDP landed including the regulatory work on the destination side.

Read next

Cross-jurisdiction profile and sourcing references

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