HS Code for Graphite powder

Graphite powder is classified under HS code 2504.10. This classification is found in Chapter 25, which covers salt, sulfur, earths, and stone, as well as plastering materials, lime, and cement. Heading 2504 is specifically for natural graphite. The subheading 2504.10 is applied when the natural graphite is in the form of powder or flakes. This classification is strictly for graphite that occurs naturally in the earth's crust and has been extracted and processed (crushed or ground) into a powder form without changing its fundamental chemical structure through synthetic means. The distinction between powder and other forms is vital for customs compliance. Natural graphite powder is widely used in lubricants, batteries, and as a carbon raiser in steel production. If the graphite is natural but not in powder or flake form (e.g., lumps), it would fall under 2504.90. The purity of the graphite does not typically move it out of Chapter 25, provided it has not been chemically modified into an artificial state.

Products Included

• Natural crystalline flake graphite powder
• Amorphous natural graphite powder
• Vein graphite powder
• Micronized natural graphite
• Purified natural graphite powder

Common Misclassification

The most common misclassification for graphite powder is HS code 3801.10, which is for artificial graphite. Importers often confuse the two because they look identical to the naked eye. However, artificial graphite is a manufactured product (synthetic), whereas 2504.10 is for mined mineral graphite. Another misclassification is 3206.49, which covers coloring matter; while graphite powder can be used as a pigment, it remains classified by its composition in 2504 unless it is prepared as a specific paint or ink. Finally, 2504.90 is often used incorrectly for powder when it should be reserved for larger natural lumps.

FAQ

What is the HS code for natural graphite powder?

Natural graphite powder is classified under HS code 2504.10.

How do I distinguish between natural and artificial graphite powder for customs?

Natural graphite (2504.10) is mined, while artificial graphite (3801.10) is produced through the graphitization of petroleum coke at high temperatures. Lab analysis of crystal structure is often required for verification.