HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 6806.90 – Minerals; mixtures and articles of heat-insulating, sound-insulating or sound-absorbing mineral materials, other than those of heading no. 6811 or 6812 or of chapter 69

HS code 6806.90 is the 6-digit subheading for minerals, mixtures and articles of heat-insulating, sound-insulating or sound-absorbing mineral materials, other than those of heading no. 6811 or 6812 or of chapter 69. It is used for mineral fiber insulation panels, acoustic baffles (mineral-based), high-temperature insulation blankets, sound-absorbing mineral composites and fire-resistant mineral boards.

What HS 6806.90 covers

This broad HS code captures a diverse array of heat-insulating, sound-insulating, or sound-absorbing mineral materials, as well as mixtures and articles made from them, excluding those specifically covered elsewhere (like asbestos or ceramic products). This category is vital for industries requiring specialized thermal or acoustic management, including construction, automotive, aerospace, and industrial equipment manufacturing. Importers are typically industrialized nations with advanced manufacturing capabilities and stringent environmental or safety regulations, such as Germany, the USA, and Japan. Exporters often possess expertise in mineral processing and material science, with China, Germany, and the USA being significant players. The trade reflects a global push for energy efficiency, noise reduction, and fire protection, driving demand for innovative mineral-based solutions that offer superior performance in challenging environments.

Covers
  • Mineral fiber insulation panels
  • Acoustic baffles (mineral-based)
  • High-temperature insulation blankets
  • Sound-absorbing mineral composites
  • Fire-resistant mineral boards
  • Thermal insulation blocks
  • Industrial furnace linings
Examples
  • Promat Promaxon
  • Rockfon acoustic panels
  • Siniat Fireboard
  • Isover Ultimate
  • Skamol Skamotec

Codes often confused with 6806.90

Common mistake. This is a residual category for mineral insulating materials, so it's crucial to first rule out more specific codes like 680610 (slag/rock wool) or 680620 (expanded minerals). It also excludes articles of asbestos (6812) or ceramic products (Chapter 69).

6806.10Slag wool, rock wool and similar mineral wools (including intermixtures thereof), in bulk, sheets or rolls6806.20Exfoliated vermiculite, expanded clays, foamed slag and similar expanded mineral materials (including intermixtures thereof)68.12Fabricated asbestos fibres; mixtures with a basis of asbestos or of asbestos and magnesium carbonate; articles of such mixtures or of asbestos (e.g. thread, woven fabric, clothing, footwear), whether or not reinforced, not goods of heading 6811 or 6813

Top exporters and importers of HS code 680690, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 680690 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 11% 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. 1 Germany $363M
  2. 2 United States $296M
  3. 3 Japan $177M

World total: $1.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $214M
  2. 2 Germany $168M
  3. 3 Canada $111M

World total: $1.9B 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 6806.90 2

Brazil splits HS 6806.90 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 6806.90.10 Aluminous or silico-aluminous insulation materialsAluminosos ou silicoaluminosos
  2. 6806.90.90 Other mineral heat or sound insulation materialsOutros

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 68.06 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 6806.90

What is HS code 680690?

HS code 680690 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Minerals; mixtures and articles of heat-insulating, sound-insulating or sound-absorbing mineral materials, other than those of heading no. 6811 or 6812 or of chapter 69. This broad HS code captures a diverse array of heat-insulating, sound-insulating, or sound-absorbing mineral materials, as well as mixtures and articles made from them, excluding those specifically covered elsewhere (like asbestos or ceramic products). This category is vital for industries requiring specialized thermal or acoustic management, including construction, automotive, aerospace, and industrial equipment manufacturing. Importers are typically industrialized nations with advanced manufacturing capabilities and stringent environmental or safety regulations, such as Germany, the USA, and Japan. Exporters often possess expertise in mineral processing and material science, with China, Germany, and the USA being significant players. The trade reflects a global push for energy efficiency, noise reduction, and fire protection, driving demand for innovative mineral-based solutions that offer superior performance in challenging environments.

What products fall under HS code 680690?

Mineral fiber insulation panels, Acoustic baffles (mineral-based), High-temperature insulation blankets, Sound-absorbing mineral composites, Fire-resistant mineral boards, Thermal insulation blocks, Industrial furnace linings

What are common misclassifications for HS code 680690?

This is a residual category for mineral insulating materials, so it's crucial to first rule out more specific codes like 680610 (slag/rock wool) or 680620 (expanded minerals). It also excludes articles of asbestos (6812) or ceramic products (Chapter 69).

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 680690?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 680690 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($363M, 20% of world exports), the United States ($296M) and Japan ($177M). World exports came to about $1.8B, 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 680690?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 680690 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($214M, 11% of world imports), Germany ($168M) and Canada ($111M). World imports came to about $1.9B, 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 680690 structured?

HS code 680690 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (68) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (06) 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 680690?

Brazil splits HS code 680690 into 2 NCM codes: 6806.90.10 (Aluminous or silico-aluminous insulation materials), 6806.90.90 (Other mineral heat or sound insulation materials). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.