HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 69.11 – Tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and toilet articles; of porcelain or china
What HS 69.11 covers
Heading 6911 specifically covers tableware, kitchenware, other household articles, and toilet articles made of porcelain or china. This classification focuses on fine ceramic goods primarily intended for domestic use, distinguished by their material composition: porcelain or china. These materials are renowned for their delicate appearance, translucency, strength, and often, intricate designs. The scope includes a vast array of articles used for serving food and beverages, preparing meals, and general household decoration or utility. Examples range from dinner sets and tea services to decorative figurines, vases, and bathroom accessories, provided they are made of porcelain or china. The critical boundary for this heading is the material itself; it explicitly excludes similar articles made from other ceramic materials (e.g., stoneware, earthenware), which fall under HS 6912. For trade compliance, accurate classification under 6911 is vital as it affects import duties, labeling requirements, and consumer safety standards (e.g., lead and cadmium content for food contact items). Misclassification can lead to customs delays, penalties, or market access restrictions. Historically, porcelain and china have been highly valued for their craftsmanship and elegance, originating in Asia and spreading globally, becoming symbols of quality and sophistication. Within Chapter 69, this heading represents the pinnacle of consumer-oriented finished ceramic products, emphasizing both aesthetic appeal and functional durability in household settings.
- Covers
- Porcelain dinner plates
- Bone china teacups
- Porcelain saucers
- China mugs
- Porcelain serving platters
- China soup bowls
- Porcelain sugar bowls
- China creamers
- Porcelain gravy boats
- China dessert plates
- Porcelain pitchers
- China decorative vases
- Porcelain figurines (household)
- Porcelain soap dishes
- China toothbrush holders
- Porcelain bathroom tumblers
- Porcelain casserole dishes
- China flower pots (household)
- Porcelain candle holders
- China cookie jars
- Porcelain ovenware
- Porcelain spice jars
- China serving bowls
- Porcelain espresso cups
- China butter dishes
- Porcelain salt and pepper shakers
- Examples
A Japanese manufacturer exports exquisite bone china dinner sets and tea services to high-end department stores and luxury retailers in the United States, typically shipped via ocean freight in carefully packed containers. A Portuguese company, known for its durable and stylish porcelain dinnerware, supplies hotel and restaurant chains across Europe, with distribution handled by road and rail within the EU. A Chinese factory mass-produces porcelain mugs, plates, and bowls, shipping large volumes to discount retailers and homeware stores in Canada and Australia, primarily through containerized sea freight.
Subheadings under 69.11 2
Codes often confused with 69.11
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification for articles under 6911 is confusing them with similar items made from other ceramic materials, which fall under HS 6912 ('Ceramic tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and toilet articles; other than of porcelain or china'). The sole differentiator between 6911 and 6912 is the material: 6911 is *strictly* for porcelain or china, while 6912 covers earthenware, stoneware, terracotta, and other non-porcelain ceramics. Traders must accurately identify the specific type of ceramic. Another potential confusion could be with purely decorative ceramic articles (6913) if their primary function is not household utility, though much overlap exists.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 6911, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 6911 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 74% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 6.4% 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 $6.5B 74% of world exports
- 2 Germany $448M 5.1% of world exports
- 3 France $190M 2.2% of world exports
World total: $8.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $324M 6.4% of world imports
- 2 Germany $321M 6.3% of world imports
- 3 Italy $292M 5.7% of world imports
World total: $5.1B 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 69.11
What is HS code 6911?
HS code 6911 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and toilet articles; of porcelain or china. Heading 6911 specifically covers tableware, kitchenware, other household articles, and toilet articles made of porcelain or china. This classification focuses on fine ceramic goods primarily intended for domestic use, distinguished by their material composition: porcelain or china. These materials are renowned for their delicate appearance, translucency, strength, and often, intricate designs. The scope includes a vast array of articles used for serving food and beverages, preparing meals, and general household decoration or utility. Examples range from dinner sets and tea services to decorative figurines, vases, and bathroom accessories, provided they are made of porcelain or china. The critical boundary for this heading is the material itself; it explicitly excludes similar articles made from other ceramic materials (e.g., stoneware, earthenware), which fall under HS 6912. For trade compliance, accurate classification under 6911 is vital as it affects import duties, labeling requirements, and consumer safety standards (e.g., lead and cadmium content for food contact items). Misclassification can lead to customs delays, penalties, or market access restrictions. Historically, porcelain and china have been highly valued for their craftsmanship and elegance, originating in Asia and spreading globally, becoming symbols of quality and sophistication. Within Chapter 69, this heading represents the pinnacle of consumer-oriented finished ceramic products, emphasizing both aesthetic appeal and functional durability in household settings.
What products fall under HS code 6911?
Porcelain dinner plates, bone china teacups, porcelain saucers, china mugs, porcelain serving platters, china soup bowls, porcelain sugar bowls, china creamers, porcelain gravy boats, china dessert plates, porcelain pitchers, china decorative vases, porcelain figurines (household), porcelain soap dishes, china toothbrush holders, porcelain bathroom tumblers, porcelain casserole dishes, china flower pots (household), porcelain candle holders, china cookie jars, porcelain ovenware, porcelain spice jars, china serving bowls, porcelain espresso cups, china butter dishes, porcelain salt and pepper shakers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 6911?
The most frequent misclassification for articles under 6911 is confusing them with similar items made from other ceramic materials, which fall under HS 6912 ('Ceramic tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and toilet articles; other than of porcelain or china'). The sole differentiator between 6911 and 6912 is the material: 6911 is *strictly* for porcelain or china, while 6912 covers earthenware, stoneware, terracotta, and other non-porcelain ceramics. Traders must accurately identify the specific type of ceramic. Another potential confusion could be with purely decorative ceramic articles (6913) if their primary function is not household utility, though much overlap exists.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 6911?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 6911 in UN Comtrade data were China ($6.5B, 74% of world exports), Germany ($448M) and France ($190M). World exports came to about $8.8B, 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 6911?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 6911 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($324M, 6.4% of world imports), Germany ($321M) and Italy ($292M). World imports 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.
How is HS code 6911 structured?
HS code 6911 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 69 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (69) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (11) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.