HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 2849.20 – Carbides; of silicon, whether or not chemically defined
HS code 2849.20 is the 6-digit subheading for carbides, of silicon, whether or not chemically defined. It is used for silicon carbide powder, silicon carbide grains, silicon carbide wafers, silicon carbide heating elements and silicon carbide refractories.
What HS 2849.20 covers
Silicon carbide (SiC), whether chemically defined or not, is classified under this HS code. This advanced ceramic material is highly valued for its extreme hardness, high thermal conductivity, and chemical inertness, making it indispensable across a wide range of high-performance applications. It is extensively traded for use as an abrasive in grinding and polishing, as a refractory material in high-temperature furnaces, and increasingly as a semiconductor material in power electronics and LEDs due to its superior electrical properties compared to silicon. International trade is fueled by the demand from automotive, aerospace, electronics, and metallurgical industries. Exporters are typically countries with advanced materials processing capabilities, while importers are nations with robust manufacturing sectors requiring high-performance components. Its diverse forms, from powders to wafers, dictate specific trade routes and end-uses.
- Covers
- Silicon carbide powder
- Silicon carbide grains
- Silicon carbide wafers
- Silicon carbide heating elements
- Silicon carbide refractories
- Silicon carbide fibers
- Examples
- Saint-Gobain SiC abrasives
- Washington Mills SiC refractories
- Coorstek SiC ceramics
- Wolfspeed SiC semiconductors
Codes often confused with 2849.20
Common mistake. Distinct from calcium carbide (284910) and other carbides (284990). The key is the specific element, silicon, which gives it unique properties for abrasives and electronics.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 284920, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 284920 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 41% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 17% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $304M 41% of world exports
- 2 Germany $59M 8.0% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $49M 6.7% of world exports
World total: $735M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $166M 17% of world imports
- 2 Japan $133M 13% of world imports
- 3 Germany $117M 12% of world imports
World total: $989M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM code for 2849.20
Brazil does not split HS 2849.20: its NCM code is 2849.20.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 28.49 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 2849.20
What is HS code 284920?
HS code 284920 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Carbides; of silicon, whether or not chemically defined. Silicon carbide (SiC), whether chemically defined or not, is classified under this HS code. This advanced ceramic material is highly valued for its extreme hardness, high thermal conductivity, and chemical inertness, making it indispensable across a wide range of high-performance applications. It is extensively traded for use as an abrasive in grinding and polishing, as a refractory material in high-temperature furnaces, and increasingly as a semiconductor material in power electronics and LEDs due to its superior electrical properties compared to silicon. International trade is fueled by the demand from automotive, aerospace, electronics, and metallurgical industries. Exporters are typically countries with advanced materials processing capabilities, while importers are nations with robust manufacturing sectors requiring high-performance components. Its diverse forms, from powders to wafers, dictate specific trade routes and end-uses.
What products fall under HS code 284920?
Silicon carbide powder, Silicon carbide grains, Silicon carbide wafers, Silicon carbide heating elements, Silicon carbide refractories, Silicon carbide fibers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 284920?
Distinct from calcium carbide (284910) and other carbides (284990). The key is the specific element, silicon, which gives it unique properties for abrasives and electronics.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 284920?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 284920 in UN Comtrade data were China ($304M, 41% of world exports), Germany ($59M) and the Netherlands ($49M). World exports came to about $735M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 284920?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 284920 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($166M, 17% of world imports), Japan ($133M) and Germany ($117M). World imports came to about $989M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 284920 structured?
HS code 284920 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (28) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (49) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 284920?
In Brazil, HS code 284920 is NCM 2849.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.