HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 68.04 – Millstones, grindstones, grinding wheels, etc without frameworks, for grinding, sharpening, polishing, etc and parts thereof, natural stone, agglomerated natural or artificial abrasives or of ceramics
What HS 68.04 covers
Heading 6804 is highly specialized, encompassing millstones, grindstones, grinding wheels, and similar abrasive tools, parts thereof, primarily designed for grinding, sharpening, polishing, trueing, or cutting. Crucially, these articles are classified here when they are presented without frameworks, focusing on the abrasive element itself. The materials covered include natural stone, agglomerated natural or artificial abrasives, or ceramics. This heading is fundamental for industrial sectors that rely on precision manufacturing, tool maintenance, and surface finishing, such as metalworking, woodworking, automotive, and optics. The scope is defined by the function (abrasion) and the form (shaped tools, not just raw powder). It differentiates these finished tools from raw abrasive materials (which might be in Chapter 25 or 28) and from abrasive materials *on a backing* (Heading 6805). This classification is critical for trade compliance, given the diverse materials and industrial applications, often involving high-performance engineering. Historically, these tools have evolved from simple natural stones to sophisticated composite materials, reflecting advancements in manufacturing technology. Within Section XIII, this heading highlights the industrial application of processed stone and abrasive materials, moving beyond construction into precision engineering and manufacturing tools.
- Covers
- Diamond grinding wheels
- Silicon carbide sharpening stones
- Aluminum oxide abrasive discs
- Natural sandstone millstones
- Ceramic grinding wheels
- Boron nitride honing stones
- Corundum grinding segments
- Agglomerated emery wheels
- Carborundum cut-off wheels
- Natural novaculite sharpening stones
- Vitrified bond grinding wheels
- Resin bond polishing wheels
- CBN grinding wheels
- Natural whetstones
- Synthetic diamond grinding bits
- Grinding cups
- Abrasive segments for surface grinders
- Bench grinding wheels
- Tool sharpening stones
- Internal grinding wheels
- Abrasive grinding blocks
- Mounted grinding points (without framework)
- Sharpening steels with abrasive particles.
- Examples
A Japanese precision manufacturer exports high-performance ceramic grinding wheels to a German automotive parts producer for machining engine components. These specialized wheels are shipped from Osaka, Japan, to Hamburg, Germany, under 6804. A US industrial supplier imports silicon carbide sharpening stones from China, destined for distribution to woodworking and tool fabrication shops across North America. The stones are transported from Shanghai, China, to the Port of Los Angeles, USA. An Indian company exports traditional natural sandstone millstones to a flour mill in the Middle East, preserving traditional grinding methods. These large, heavy stones are shipped from Mundra, India, to Jebel Ali, UAE, for use in food processing.
Subheadings under 68.04 5
Codes often confused with 68.04
Common mistake. A frequent misclassification occurs by confusing 6804 with 6805. The key distinction is that 6804 covers shaped abrasive tools *without a base or backing*, while 6805 covers abrasive powder or grain *on a base*. Another common error is classifying machinery incorporating these wheels (e.g., grinding machines) under 6804; such machinery belongs in Chapter 84. Ensure the product is a standalone abrasive tool and not merely raw abrasive material (e.g., diamond dust of Chapter 71 or other raw abrasives of Chapter 25 or 28), which lacks the shaped 'tool' characteristic.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 6804, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 6804 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 9.7% 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 $1.3B 25% of world exports
- 2 Germany $701M 14% of world exports
- 3 Japan $379M 7.4% of world exports
World total: $5.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $534M 9.7% of world imports
- 2 China $526M 9.6% of world imports
- 3 Germany $434M 7.9% of world imports
World total: $5.5B 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.
Questions about HS 68.04
What is HS code 6804?
HS code 6804 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Millstones, grindstones, grinding wheels, etc without frameworks, for grinding, sharpening, polishing, etc and parts thereof, natural stone, agglomerated natural or artificial abrasives or of ceramics. Heading 6804 is highly specialized, encompassing millstones, grindstones, grinding wheels, and similar abrasive tools, parts thereof, primarily designed for grinding, sharpening, polishing, trueing, or cutting. Crucially, these articles are classified here when they are presented without frameworks, focusing on the abrasive element itself. The materials covered include natural stone, agglomerated natural or artificial abrasives, or ceramics. This heading is fundamental for industrial sectors that rely on precision manufacturing, tool maintenance, and surface finishing, such as metalworking, woodworking, automotive, and optics. The scope is defined by the function (abrasion) and the form (shaped tools, not just raw powder). It differentiates these finished tools from raw abrasive materials (which might be in Chapter 25 or 28) and from abrasive materials *on a backing* (Heading 6805). This classification is critical for trade compliance, given the diverse materials and industrial applications, often involving high-performance engineering. Historically, these tools have evolved from simple natural stones to sophisticated composite materials, reflecting advancements in manufacturing technology. Within Section XIII, this heading highlights the industrial application of processed stone and abrasive materials, moving beyond construction into precision engineering and manufacturing tools.
What products fall under HS code 6804?
Diamond grinding wheels, silicon carbide sharpening stones, aluminum oxide abrasive discs, natural sandstone millstones, ceramic grinding wheels, boron nitride honing stones, corundum grinding segments, agglomerated emery wheels, carborundum cut-off wheels, natural novaculite sharpening stones, vitrified bond grinding wheels, resin bond polishing wheels, CBN grinding wheels, natural whetstones, synthetic diamond grinding bits, grinding cups, abrasive segments for surface grinders, bench grinding wheels, tool sharpening stones, internal grinding wheels, abrasive grinding blocks, mounted grinding points (without framework), sharpening steels with abrasive particles.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 6804?
A frequent misclassification occurs by confusing 6804 with 6805. The key distinction is that 6804 covers shaped abrasive tools *without a base or backing*, while 6805 covers abrasive powder or grain *on a base*. Another common error is classifying machinery incorporating these wheels (e.g., grinding machines) under 6804; such machinery belongs in Chapter 84. Ensure the product is a standalone abrasive tool and not merely raw abrasive material (e.g., diamond dust of Chapter 71 or other raw abrasives of Chapter 25 or 28), which lacks the shaped 'tool' characteristic.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 6804?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 6804 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.3B, 25% of world exports), Germany ($701M) and Japan ($379M). World exports came to about $5.1B, 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 6804?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 6804 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($534M, 9.7% of world imports), China ($526M) and Germany ($434M). World imports came to about $5.5B, 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 6804 structured?
HS code 6804 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 68 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (68) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (04) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.