HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 6903.20 – Refractory ceramic goods; containing by weight more than 50% of alumina or of a mixture or compound of alumina and of silica, excluding those of siliceous fossil meals or similar earths
HS code 6903.20 is the 6-digit subheading for refractory ceramic goods, containing by weight more than 50% of alumina or of a mixture or compound of alumina and of silica, excluding those of siliceous fossil meals or similar earths. It is used for alumina crucibles, mullite nozzles, corundum tubes, zirconia-alumina pouring spouts and alumina ceramic kiln furniture.
What HS 6903.20 covers
This category covers refractory ceramic goods, other than bricks, blocks, or tiles, that contain more than 50% by weight of alumina (Al2O3) or a mixture/compound of alumina and silica (SiO2). These specialized articles are critical for specific high-temperature processes across various industries, including metallurgy, glass manufacturing, chemical processing, and advanced ceramics. Examples include crucibles, nozzles, tubes, kiln furniture, and other custom shapes designed for precise applications. They offer excellent refractoriness, chemical inertness, wear resistance, and thermal stability. Importers are diverse industrial sectors requiring specialized high-temperature components for their manufacturing lines. Exporters are countries with advanced ceramic manufacturing capabilities and access to high-purity alumina and silica. Their trade underscores the global reliance on precision ceramic components for demanding thermal applications.
- Covers
- Alumina crucibles
- Mullite nozzles
- Corundum tubes
- Zirconia-alumina pouring spouts
- Alumina ceramic kiln furniture
- Fused silica pouring cups
- High-alumina saggers
- Examples
- Morgan Advanced Materials alumina crucibles
- Saint-Gobain ceramic nozzles
- CoorsTek technical ceramics
- Kyocera industrial ceramic components
Codes often confused with 6903.20
Common mistake. Often confused with 690220 if the item is a brick/block, but 690320 is for 'other' refractory ceramic goods (not constructional). Also, 690390 is the residual for other compositions.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 690320, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 690320 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 13% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 15% 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 $160M 13% of world exports
- 2 Czechia $130M 10% of world exports
- 3 United States $128M 10% of world exports
World total: $1.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $192M 15% of world imports
- 2 South Korea $72M 5.6% of world imports
- 3 Italy $69M 5.4% of world imports
World total: $1.3B 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 6903.20 4
Brazil splits HS 6903.20 into 4 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 6903.20.10 Crucibles over 50% alumina or alumina-silicaCadinhos
- 6903.20.20 Lids and plugs over 50% alumina or alumina-silicaTampas e tampões
- 6903.20.30 Tubes over 50% alumina or alumina-silicaTubos
- 6903.20.90 Other refractories over 50% alumina/alumina-silicaOutros
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 6903.20
What is HS code 690320?
HS code 690320 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Refractory ceramic goods; containing by weight more than 50% of alumina or of a mixture or compound of alumina and of silica, excluding those of siliceous fossil meals or similar earths. This category covers refractory ceramic goods, other than bricks, blocks, or tiles, that contain more than 50% by weight of alumina (Al2O3) or a mixture/compound of alumina and silica (SiO2). These specialized articles are critical for specific high-temperature processes across various industries, including metallurgy, glass manufacturing, chemical processing, and advanced ceramics. Examples include crucibles, nozzles, tubes, kiln furniture, and other custom shapes designed for precise applications. They offer excellent refractoriness, chemical inertness, wear resistance, and thermal stability. Importers are diverse industrial sectors requiring specialized high-temperature components for their manufacturing lines. Exporters are countries with advanced ceramic manufacturing capabilities and access to high-purity alumina and silica. Their trade underscores the global reliance on precision ceramic components for demanding thermal applications.
What products fall under HS code 690320?
Alumina crucibles, Mullite nozzles, Corundum tubes, Zirconia-alumina pouring spouts, Alumina ceramic kiln furniture, Fused silica pouring cups, High-alumina saggers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 690320?
Often confused with 690220 if the item is a brick/block, but 690320 is for 'other' refractory ceramic goods (not constructional). Also, 690390 is the residual for other compositions.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 690320?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 690320 in UN Comtrade data were China ($160M, 13% of world exports), Czechia ($130M) and the United States ($128M). World exports came to about $1.3B, 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 690320?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 690320 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($192M, 15% of world imports), South Korea ($72M) and Italy ($69M). World imports came to about $1.3B, 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 690320 structured?
HS code 690320 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 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 690320?
Brazil splits HS code 690320 into 4 NCM codes: 6903.20.10 (Crucibles over 50% alumina or alumina-silica), 6903.20.20 (Lids and plugs over 50% alumina or alumina-silica), 6903.20.30 (Tubes over 50% alumina or alumina-silica), 6903.20.90 (Other refractories over 50% alumina/alumina-silica). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.