HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 3816.00 – Refractory cements, mortars, concretes and similar compositions, including dolomite ramming mix, other than products of heading 38.01
HS code 3816.00 is the 6-digit subheading for refractory cements, mortars, concretes and similar compositions, including dolomite ramming mix, other than products of heading 38.01. It is used for high-alumina refractory cement, magnesia refractory mortar, silica refractory concrete, dolomite ramming mix and insulating refractory castables.
What HS 3816.00 covers
This category covers specialized construction materials designed to withstand extreme temperatures, including refractory cements, mortars, concretes, and similar compositions like dolomite ramming mix. These products are vital for industries operating high-temperature furnaces, kilns, and reactors, such as metallurgy, glass manufacturing, cement production, and power generation. Importers and exporters include construction material suppliers, industrial equipment manufacturers, and companies specializing in high-temperature applications. Trade is driven by industrial infrastructure development and maintenance, with a focus on material performance, thermal resistance, and specific chemical compositions tailored for different operational environments.
- Covers
- High-alumina refractory cement
- Magnesia refractory mortar
- Silica refractory concrete
- Dolomite ramming mix
- Insulating refractory castables
- Fireclay mortar
- Chrome-magnesia bricks
- Examples
- Saint-Gobain Refractories
- RHI Magnesita
- Vesuvius
- Krosaki Harima
- Calderys
Codes often confused with 3816.00
Common mistake. Often confused with ordinary cements (2523) or other ceramic products (Chapter 69) if their specific refractory properties and high-temperature application are not clearly identified. The 'refractory' characteristic is key for correct classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 381600, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 381600 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 7.7% 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 $515M 20% of world exports
- 2 Germany $311M 12% of world exports
- 3 United States $228M 8.8% of world exports
World total: $2.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Indonesia $225M 7.7% of world imports
- 2 United States $148M 5.1% of world imports
- 3 India $143M 4.9% of world imports
World total: $2.9B 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 codes for 3816.00 6
Brazil splits HS 3816.00 into 6 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 3816.00.1 Cements and mortarsCimentos e argamassas Group
- 3816.00.11 Magnesite-based refractory cements and mortarsÀ base de magnesita calcinada
- 3816.00.12 Sillimanite refractory cements and mortarsÀ base de silimanita
- 3816.00.19 Other refractory cements and mortarsOutros
- 3816.00.2 Other preparations based on chrome-magnesite, zirconium, sillimanite, kyanite, andalusite, corundum or diasporeOutras preparações à base de cromo-magnesita, de zircônio, de silimanita, de cianita, de andaluzita, de coríndon ou de diaspório Group
- 3816.00.21 Graphite refractory mixes, 50 % or more corundumQue contenham grafita e 50 % ou mais, em peso, de coríndon
- 3816.00.29 Other chrome-magnesite, corundum etc. refractoriesOutras
- 3816.00.90 Other refractory concretes and compositionsOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 38.16 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 3816.00
What is HS code 381600?
HS code 381600 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Refractory cements, mortars, concretes and similar compositions, including dolomite ramming mix, other than products of heading 38.01. This category covers specialized construction materials designed to withstand extreme temperatures, including refractory cements, mortars, concretes, and similar compositions like dolomite ramming mix. These products are vital for industries operating high-temperature furnaces, kilns, and reactors, such as metallurgy, glass manufacturing, cement production, and power generation. Importers and exporters include construction material suppliers, industrial equipment manufacturers, and companies specializing in high-temperature applications. Trade is driven by industrial infrastructure development and maintenance, with a focus on material performance, thermal resistance, and specific chemical compositions tailored for different operational environments.
What products fall under HS code 381600?
High-alumina refractory cement, magnesia refractory mortar, silica refractory concrete, dolomite ramming mix, insulating refractory castables, fireclay mortar, chrome-magnesia bricks
What are common misclassifications for HS code 381600?
Often confused with ordinary cements (2523) or other ceramic products (Chapter 69) if their specific refractory properties and high-temperature application are not clearly identified. The 'refractory' characteristic is key for correct classification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 381600?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 381600 in UN Comtrade data were China ($515M, 20% of world exports), Germany ($311M) and the United States ($228M). World exports came to about $2.6B, 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 381600?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 381600 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($225M, 7.7% of world imports), the United States ($148M) and India ($143M). World imports came to about $2.9B, 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 381600 structured?
HS code 381600 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (38) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (16) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 381600?
Brazil splits HS code 381600 into 6 NCM codes: 3816.00.11 (Magnesite-based refractory cements and mortars), 3816.00.12 (Sillimanite refractory cements and mortars), 3816.00.19 (Other refractory cements and mortars), 3816.00.21 (Graphite refractory mixes, 50 % or more corundum), 3816.00.29 (Other chrome-magnesite, corundum etc. refractories), 3816.00.90 (Other refractory concretes and compositions). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.