About HS Code 6813
Heading 6813 covers friction material and articles thereof, specifically designed for brakes, clutches, or similar applications, provided they are 'not mounted'. This classification is crucial for the automotive, industrial machinery, and aerospace sectors. The materials can have a basis of asbestos, other mineral substances (like ceramic or metallic fibers), or cellulose, reflecting the evolution of friction technology away from asbestos. The 'not mounted' condition is a critical boundary for this heading, distinguishing these components from finished brake pads or clutch assemblies that would typically be classified with the machines or vehicles they are designed for (e.g., Chapter 87 for vehicles, Chapter 84 for machinery). The scope includes sheets, rolls, strips, segments, discs, washers, and pads in their unmounted state. This heading's significance lies in its direct impact on supply chains for vehicle manufacturing, aftermarket parts, and heavy industrial equipment. The shift from asbestos to non-asbestos materials has been a major historical trend, driven by environmental and health regulations, making the material basis a key factor for compliance. Proper classification ensures correct tariff application, adherence to environmental regulations (especially concerning asbestos), and seamless integration into global manufacturing and repair networks. It sits within Chapter 68, emphasizing its nature as a fabricated article derived from mineral or similar substances, specialized for a specific mechanical function.
Products Under This Code
Unmounted asbestos-free brake pads, unmounted cellulose-based clutch facings, unmounted mineral-based brake linings, friction sheets for industrial clutches, friction rolls for heavy machinery, friction strips for railway brakes, friction segments for automotive brakes, unmounted ceramic friction discs, unmounted carbon-fiber brake washers, industrial friction pads (unmounted), unmounted wind turbine brake pads, unmounted motorcycle clutch plates, unmounted bicycle brake pads, unmounted heavy equipment friction plates, unmounted marine clutch facings, unmounted crane brake linings, unmounted elevator brake pads, unmounted agricultural machinery friction elements, friction material in bulk rolls, friction material in pre-cut strips, unmounted brake blocks, unmounted industrial brake shoes, unmounted friction rings, unmounted automotive clutch discs, unmounted brake shoes for trucks.
Real World Examples
A German automotive parts manufacturer imports large rolls of asbestos-free ceramic friction material from a specialized plant in China, which are then cut and mounted into brake pads for new vehicle assembly lines across Europe. A US company imports unmounted cellulose-based clutch facings from Mexico under the USMCA trade agreement, for assembly into new vehicle clutch systems destined for the North American market. A Japanese heavy machinery producer sources unmounted mineral-based brake segments from Thailand for their construction equipment assembly lines, leveraging efficient Asian supply chains.
Common Misclassification
The most common misclassification error is failing to observe the 'not mounted' proviso. Mounted brake pads or clutch assemblies are generally classified with the vehicles or machinery they are designed for (e.g., Chapter 87 for vehicle parts, Chapter 84 for machinery parts). Another mistake is confusing the raw materials (e.g., mineral fibers, heading 2528) with the fabricated friction material. Also, asbestos-based friction materials must be carefully handled due to severe restrictions, often leading to confusion with other asbestos articles (6812).
Subheadings 3
Trade Overview
Major importers and exporters of friction materials are heavily concentrated in countries with significant automotive and industrial manufacturing sectors, such as China, Germany, Japan, the USA, Mexico, and India. Trade agreements like USMCA, EU-ASEAN agreements, and others significantly influence tariff rates. Non-asbestos friction materials dominate global trade, with asbestos-based items facing severe restrictions or outright bans in many markets, necessitating strict compliance with national environmental and health regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HS code 6813?
HS code 6813 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Friction material and articles thereof (e.g. sheets, rolls, strips, segments, discs, washers, pads) not mounted; for brakes, clutches or the like, with a basis of asbestos, other mineral substances, or cellulose. Heading 6813 covers friction material and articles thereof, specifically designed for brakes, clutches, or similar applications, provided they are 'not mounted'. This classification is crucial for the automotive, industrial machinery, and aerospace sectors. The materials can have a basis of asbestos, other mineral substances (like ceramic or metallic fibers), or cellulose, reflecting the evolution of friction technology away from asbestos. The 'not mounted' condition is a critical boundary for this heading, distinguishing these components from finished brake pads or clutch assemblies that would typically be classified with the machines or vehicles they are designed for (e.g., Chapter 87 for vehicles, Chapter 84 for machinery). The scope includes sheets, rolls, strips, segments, discs, washers, and pads in their unmounted state. This heading's significance lies in its direct impact on supply chains for vehicle manufacturing, aftermarket parts, and heavy industrial equipment. The shift from asbestos to non-asbestos materials has been a major historical trend, driven by environmental and health regulations, making the material basis a key factor for compliance. Proper classification ensures correct tariff application, adherence to environmental regulations (especially concerning asbestos), and seamless integration into global manufacturing and repair networks. It sits within Chapter 68, emphasizing its nature as a fabricated article derived from mineral or similar substances, specialized for a specific mechanical function.
What products fall under HS code 6813?
Unmounted asbestos-free brake pads, unmounted cellulose-based clutch facings, unmounted mineral-based brake linings, friction sheets for industrial clutches, friction rolls for heavy machinery, friction strips for railway brakes, friction segments for automotive brakes, unmounted ceramic friction discs, unmounted carbon-fiber brake washers, industrial friction pads (unmounted), unmounted wind turbine brake pads, unmounted motorcycle clutch plates, unmounted bicycle brake pads, unmounted heavy equipment friction plates, unmounted marine clutch facings, unmounted crane brake linings, unmounted elevator brake pads, unmounted agricultural machinery friction elements, friction material in bulk rolls, friction material in pre-cut strips, unmounted brake blocks, unmounted industrial brake shoes, unmounted friction rings, unmounted automotive clutch discs, unmounted brake shoes for trucks.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 6813?
The most common misclassification error is failing to observe the 'not mounted' proviso. Mounted brake pads or clutch assemblies are generally classified with the vehicles or machinery they are designed for (e.g., Chapter 87 for vehicle parts, Chapter 84 for machinery parts). Another mistake is confusing the raw materials (e.g., mineral fibers, heading 2528) with the fabricated friction material. Also, asbestos-based friction materials must be carefully handled due to severe restrictions, often leading to confusion with other asbestos articles (6812).
Which countries trade the most under HS code 6813?
Major importers and exporters of friction materials are heavily concentrated in countries with significant automotive and industrial manufacturing sectors, such as China, Germany, Japan, the USA, Mexico, and India. Trade agreements like USMCA, EU-ASEAN agreements, and others significantly influence tariff rates. Non-asbestos friction materials dominate global trade, with asbestos-based items facing severe restrictions or outright bans in many markets, necessitating strict compliance with national environmental and health regulations.
How is HS code 6813 structured?
HS code 6813 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 68 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (68) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (13) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.