HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 6903.10 – Refractory ceramic goods; containing, by weight, more than 50% of free carbon, excluding those of siliceous fossil meals or similar earths
HS code 6903.10 is the 6-digit subheading for refractory ceramic goods, containing, by weight, more than 50% of free carbon, excluding those of siliceous fossil meals or similar earths. It is used for magnesia-carbon bricks (over 50% free carbon), alumina-carbon bricks, graphite electrodes (ceramic bonded), carbon blocks for furnaces and isostatically pressed carbon refractories.
What HS 6903.10 covers
This HS code covers advanced refractory ceramic goods, excluding bricks, blocks, and tiles, that contain more than 50% by weight of free carbon. These materials are engineered for extreme performance in high-temperature, reducing, or corrosive environments, particularly in the metallurgical industry. The high carbon content imparts exceptional properties such as high thermal conductivity, excellent thermal shock resistance, and non-wetting behavior against molten metals and slags. They are crucial for components like blast furnace linings, ladles, tundishes, and other parts exposed to molten iron and steel. Importers are primarily metallurgical industries seeking to enhance efficiency and longevity of their equipment. Exporters are countries with advanced carbon material processing and refractory manufacturing capabilities. Their trade highlights the global demand for high-performance materials in heavy industry.
- Covers
- Magnesia-carbon bricks (over 50% free carbon)
- Alumina-carbon bricks
- Graphite electrodes (ceramic bonded)
- Carbon blocks for furnaces
- Isostatically pressed carbon refractories
- Silicon carbide-carbon refractories
- Carbon-bonded crucibles
- Examples
- RHI Magnesita magnesia-carbon bricks
- Vesuvius carbon-bonded refractories
- SGL Carbon graphite components
- Tokai Carbon electrodes
Codes often confused with 6903.10
Common mistake. Can be confused with 681599 if the carbon article is not ceramic-bonded or is primarily graphite, or with 690210/690220 if the carbon content is overlooked and other oxides are dominant.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 690310, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 690310 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 21% 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 $36M 29% of world exports
- 2 United States $22M 18% of world exports
- 3 South Korea $14M 11% of world exports
World total: $123M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Indonesia $34M 21% of world imports
- 2 United States $30M 18% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $17M 11% of world imports
World total: $163M 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 6903.10 7
Brazil splits HS 6903.10 into 7 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 6903.10.1 CruciblesCadinhos Group
- 6903.10.11 Graphite crucibles, not with silicon carbideDe grafita, exceto os do subitem 6903.10.12
- 6903.10.12 Graphite and silicon carbide cruciblesElaborados com uma mistura de grafita e carboneto de silício
- 6903.10.19 Other crucibles over 50% free carbonOutros
- 6903.10.20 Graphite and silicon carbide retortsRetortas elaboradas com uma mistura de grafita e carboneto de silício
- 6903.10.30 Refractory lids and plugs, over 50% free carbonTampas e tampões
- 6903.10.40 Refractory tubes over 50% free carbonTubos
- 6903.10.90 Other refractories over 50% free carbonOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 69.03 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 6903.10
What is HS code 690310?
HS code 690310 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Refractory ceramic goods; containing, by weight, more than 50% of free carbon, excluding those of siliceous fossil meals or similar earths. This HS code covers advanced refractory ceramic goods, excluding bricks, blocks, and tiles, that contain more than 50% by weight of free carbon. These materials are engineered for extreme performance in high-temperature, reducing, or corrosive environments, particularly in the metallurgical industry. The high carbon content imparts exceptional properties such as high thermal conductivity, excellent thermal shock resistance, and non-wetting behavior against molten metals and slags. They are crucial for components like blast furnace linings, ladles, tundishes, and other parts exposed to molten iron and steel. Importers are primarily metallurgical industries seeking to enhance efficiency and longevity of their equipment. Exporters are countries with advanced carbon material processing and refractory manufacturing capabilities. Their trade highlights the global demand for high-performance materials in heavy industry.
What products fall under HS code 690310?
Magnesia-carbon bricks (over 50% free carbon), Alumina-carbon bricks, Graphite electrodes (ceramic bonded), Carbon blocks for furnaces, Isostatically pressed carbon refractories, Silicon carbide-carbon refractories, Carbon-bonded crucibles
What are common misclassifications for HS code 690310?
Can be confused with 681599 if the carbon article is not ceramic-bonded or is primarily graphite, or with 690210/690220 if the carbon content is overlooked and other oxides are dominant.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 690310?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 690310 in UN Comtrade data were China ($36M, 29% of world exports), the United States ($22M) and South Korea ($14M). World exports came to about $123M, 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 690310?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 690310 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($34M, 21% of world imports), the United States ($30M) and South Korea ($17M). World imports came to about $163M, 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 690310 structured?
HS code 690310 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (69) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (03) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 690310?
Brazil splits HS code 690310 into 7 NCM codes: 6903.10.11 (Graphite crucibles, not with silicon carbide), 6903.10.12 (Graphite and silicon carbide crucibles), 6903.10.19 (Other crucibles over 50% free carbon), 6903.10.20 (Graphite and silicon carbide retorts), 6903.10.30 (Refractory lids and plugs, over 50% free carbon), 6903.10.40 (Refractory tubes over 50% free carbon), 6903.10.90 (Other refractories over 50% free carbon). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.