HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3801.90 – Graphite or other carbon based preparations; in the form of pastes, blocks, plates or other semi-manufactures
HS code 3801.90 is the 6-digit subheading for graphite or other carbon based preparations, in the form of pastes, blocks, plates or other semi-manufactures. It is used for graphite sealing gaskets, carbon fiber preforms, graphite heat sinks, carbon brushes (raw material) and graphite molds.
What HS 3801.90 covers
This broad category covers various graphite or other carbon-based preparations that are not specifically artificial graphite, colloidal graphite, or electrode pastes, but are in semi-manufactured forms like pastes, blocks, plates, or other shapes. This includes specialized carbon composites, high-purity graphite components, and carbon-based materials for diverse industrial applications beyond electrodes and furnace linings. Importers are often manufacturers in aerospace, nuclear, automotive, and electronics sectors seeking advanced materials for their products. Exporters are advanced materials companies specializing in carbon technology. The trade reflects the demand for high-performance, lightweight, and thermally stable carbon materials in cutting-edge technologies, supporting innovation across multiple high-tech industries.
- Covers
- Graphite sealing gaskets
- Carbon fiber preforms
- Graphite heat sinks
- Carbon brushes (raw material)
- Graphite molds
- Carbon composite plates
- High-purity graphite blocks
- Carbon felt
- Examples
- Morgan Advanced Materials carbon blocks
- Schunk Carbon Technology plates
- Toyo Tanso isotropic graphite
- GrafTech specialty graphite
- SGL Carbon composite preforms
Codes often confused with 3801.90
Common mistake. This is a residual category for carbon preparations, distinct from 380110 (artificial graphite), 380120 (colloidal graphite), and 380130 (electrode pastes) by its broader scope and semi-manufactured nature.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 380190, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 380190 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 43% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 13% 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 $395M 43% of world exports
- 2 Indonesia $146M 16% of world exports
- 3 Germany $81M 8.8% of world exports
World total: $918M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $90M 13% of world imports
- 2 Hungary $79M 11% of world imports
- 3 Malaysia $74M 11% of world imports
World total: $703M 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 3801.90
Brazil does not split HS 3801.90: its NCM code is 3801.90.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 38.01 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3801.90
What is HS code 380190?
HS code 380190 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Graphite or other carbon based preparations; in the form of pastes, blocks, plates or other semi-manufactures. This broad category covers various graphite or other carbon-based preparations that are not specifically artificial graphite, colloidal graphite, or electrode pastes, but are in semi-manufactured forms like pastes, blocks, plates, or other shapes. This includes specialized carbon composites, high-purity graphite components, and carbon-based materials for diverse industrial applications beyond electrodes and furnace linings. Importers are often manufacturers in aerospace, nuclear, automotive, and electronics sectors seeking advanced materials for their products. Exporters are advanced materials companies specializing in carbon technology. The trade reflects the demand for high-performance, lightweight, and thermally stable carbon materials in cutting-edge technologies, supporting innovation across multiple high-tech industries.
What products fall under HS code 380190?
Graphite sealing gaskets, carbon fiber preforms, graphite heat sinks, carbon brushes (raw material), graphite molds, carbon composite plates, high-purity graphite blocks, carbon felt
What are common misclassifications for HS code 380190?
This is a residual category for carbon preparations, distinct from 380110 (artificial graphite), 380120 (colloidal graphite), and 380130 (electrode pastes) by its broader scope and semi-manufactured nature.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 380190?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 380190 in UN Comtrade data were China ($395M, 43% of world exports), Indonesia ($146M) and Germany ($81M). World exports came to about $918M, 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 380190?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 380190 in UN Comtrade data were China ($90M, 13% of world imports), Hungary ($79M) and Malaysia ($74M). World imports came to about $703M, 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 380190 structured?
HS code 380190 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (38) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 380190?
In Brazil, HS code 380190 is NCM 3801.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.