Heading 2849

Carbides, whether or not chemically defined

7 declarable lines

Heading 2849 covers carbides, which are compounds of carbon with a metal or with silicon or boron, whether or not chemically defined. The heading is split first by the element: calcium carbide, silicon carbide, and other carbides. Silicon carbide is split further by form, with crude material separated from grains or ground, pulverized or refined material, and the other carbides are split by the specific element such as boron, chromium or tungsten.

Products in this heading

Calcium carbide lumps used to generate acetylene
Crude silicon carbide ingots or furnace product
Silicon carbide grains and powders for abrasives or refractories
Boron carbide powder for armor or abrasive use
Chromium carbide powder for thermal spray or hardfacing
Tungsten carbide powder for cemented carbide production
Mixed or unspecified metal carbide powders

How to choose the right subheading

The element combined with carbon: calcium, silicon, boron, chromium, tungsten or another metal.
For silicon carbide, the form: crude versus grains or ground, pulverized or refined material.
Whether the product is a carbide compound at all, as opposed to a ferroalloy, an oxide or a phosphide.
Whether the carbide is still in powder, grain or lump form rather than bonded or sintered into a finished article.
Chemical purity and whether the material is chemically defined, which does not change the heading but affects the description.

Often confused with

Ferrochromium and other ferroalloys
Carbides are compounds; ferroalloys are master alloys of iron covered in chapter 72.
Heading 7202
Bonded silicon carbide grinding wheels
Once the abrasive grain is bonded into a wheel or stone it becomes an article of chapter 68.
Heading 6804
Sintered tungsten carbide tool inserts
Sintered plates, sticks and tips for tools are classified as tool articles, not as carbide powder.
Aluminum phosphide and other phosphides
Phosphides are provided for in heading 2853, not as carbides.
Heading 2853
Artificial graphite and other carbon articles
Elemental carbon and graphite are not carbides.
Heading 3801

Frequently asked questions

What is the HTS code for silicon carbide?

Crude silicon carbide is 2849.20.10.00, which carries a general (MFN) rate of Free. Silicon carbide in grains, or ground, pulverized or refined is 2849.20.20.00 at a general (MFN) rate of 0.5%.

What is the duty on tungsten carbide?

Tungsten carbide is classified under 2849.90.30.00 and the general (MFN) rate is 5.5%.

How do I classify calcium carbide?

Calcium carbide falls under 2849.10.00.00 at a general (MFN) rate of 1.8%, regardless of whether it is chemically defined.

Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.