Heading 6909

Ceramic wares for laboratory, chemical or other technical uses; ceramic troughs, tubs and similar receptacles of a kind used in agriculture; ceramic pots, jars and similar articles of a kind used for the conveyance or packing of goods

7 declarable lines

Heading 6909 covers ceramic wares put to technical use rather than household use: laboratory, chemical or other technical articles, plus ceramic troughs and tubs used in agriculture and ceramic pots and jars used to convey or pack goods. The heading splits first by material and performance: porcelain or china wares in 6909.11, articles with hardness of 9 or more on the Mohs scale in 6909.12, all other technical wares in 6909.19, and a residual line 6909.90.00.00 for the agricultural and packing receptacles and any remaining goods.

Products in this heading

Porcelain crucibles and lab dishes
Alumina grinding balls and mill liners
Ceramic welding nozzles and thread guides
Ferrite core memories
Ceramic bearings
Ceramic pots and jars for packing chemicals
Ceramic troughs and tubs for agricultural use

How to choose the right subheading

Material: porcelain or china pushes the article into 6909.11, other ceramic bodies fall into 6909.19.
Hardness: an article with hardness of 9 or more on the Mohs scale goes to 6909.12 regardless of body.
End use: laboratory, chemical or other technical use versus agricultural troughs or packing pots.
Function detail: porcelain machinery parts are free in 6909.11.20.00, while other porcelain technical wares fall in 6909.11.40.00.
Specific article type: ferrite core memories and ceramic bearings have their own lines inside 6909.19.

Often confused with

Porcelain dinnerware and kitchenware
Table and kitchen articles of porcelain or china are household goods, not technical wares.
Heading 6911
Ceramic sinks and washbasins
Sanitary fixtures have their own heading.
Heading 6910
Refractory crucibles and retorts
Refractory ceramic goods are covered by 6903 even when used in labs or furnaces.
Heading 6903
Ceramic wall and floor tiles
Tiles for paving, hearth or wall are classified in 6907.
Heading 6907
Ceramic figurines and ornaments
Ornamental ceramic articles go to 6913, not to technical wares.
Heading 6913

Frequently asked questions

What is the HTS code for porcelain laboratory crucibles?

Porcelain or china wares for laboratory, chemical or other technical uses, other than machinery parts, are classified in 6909.11.40.00 at a general (MFN) rate of 4.5%.

What is the duty on ceramic bearings?

Ceramic bearings are classified in 6909.19.50.10 at a general (MFN) rate of 4%.

How do I classify ceramic technical parts with hardness of 9 or more on the Mohs scale?

They go in 6909.12.00.00 at a general (MFN) rate of 4%, which applies to articles of that hardness regardless of the ceramic body.

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.