Product classification
HS code for High-hardness ceramics: 6909.12
Ceramic wares, for laboratory, chemical or other technical uses, articles having a hardness equivalent to 9 or more on the Mohs scale.
Classification of high-hardness ceramics under HS 6909.12
High-hardness ceramics are classified under HS code 6909.12. This code is part of Chapter 69, which covers ceramic products, and specifically heading 6909, which pertains to ceramic wares for laboratory, chemical, or other technical uses. The subheading 6909.12 is distinguished by a specific physical property: the material must have a hardness equivalent to 9 or more on the Mohs scale. This includes advanced technical ceramics such as high-purity alumina (aluminum oxide), silicon carbide, and certain boron compounds. These materials are valued for their extreme wear resistance, thermal stability, and chemical inertness in harsh environments. To qualify for this code, the article must be intended for technical applications—such as pump components, mechanical seals, or laboratory crucibles—rather than decorative or general household use. The classification relies on the Mohs hardness test, where a value of 9 corresponds to the hardness of corundum. If a ceramic article has a hardness lower than 9, it falls under different subheadings like 6909.11 (for porcelain or china) or 6909.19 (for other materials). The distinction is vital because technical ceramics often benefit from different trade agreements or are subject to dual-use export controls due to their applications in aerospace, defense, and semiconductor manufacturing. Importers must provide technical data sheets specifying the material composition and the measured hardness to justify the use of 6909.12.
- Covers
- Alumina ceramic components (99% purity)
- Silicon carbide technical seals
- Boron carbide wear plates
- Laboratory crucibles with Mohs hardness of 9+
- Also under 6909.12
- Kyocera advanced ceramics
- Saint-Gobain NorPro grinding media
- Morgan Advanced Materials technical ceramics
- CeramTec components
Codes often confused with 6909.12
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 6909.11, which is specifically for porcelain or china technical wares. It is also confused with 6909.19, which covers technical ceramics with a Mohs hardness of less than 9, such as zirconia or certain steatite ceramics. Additionally, finished machinery parts made of ceramic might be classified in Chapter 84 or 85 depending on their function.
Top exporters and importers of HS 690912 (the code used for high-hardness ceramics), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 690912 (the code used for high-hardness ceramics) in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 43% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 18% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 690912, not only high-hardness ceramics.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Japan $795M 43% of world exports
- 2 China $335M 18% of world exports
- 3 Germany $145M 7.8% of world exports
World total: $1.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $250M 18% of world imports
- 2 United States $171M 12% of world imports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$126M 9.0% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.4B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 high-hardness ceramics
Brazil splits HS 6909.12 into 4 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 6909.12.10Hard (Mohs 9+) ceramic textile thread guides
- 6909.12.20Hard (Mohs 9+) ceramic print-head needle guides
- 6909.12.30Silicon carbide (Mohs 9+) mechanical seal rings
- 6909.12.90Other hard (Mohs 9+) technical ceramic articles
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about high-hardness ceramics
What is the HS code for High-hardness ceramics?
The HS code for High-hardness ceramics is 690912 (Ceramic wares; for laboratory, chemical or other technical uses, articles having a hardness equivalent to 9 or more on the Mohs scale). The correct HS code is 6909.12, provided the ceramic is for technical use and has a Mohs hardness of 9 or higher.
How do I classify High-hardness ceramics for customs?
High-hardness ceramics is classified under HS code 690912 — Ceramic wares; for laboratory, chemical or other technical uses, articles having a hardness equivalent to 9 or more on the Mohs scale. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can decorative ceramic items be classified here?
No, heading 6909 is strictly for laboratory, chemical, or technical uses. Decorative items are classified under 6913 or 6914.
Which countries are the top exporters of high-hardness ceramics (HS 690912)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 690912 (the code used for high-hardness ceramics) in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($795M, 43% of world exports), China ($335M) and Germany ($145M). World exports came to about $1.9B, 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 high-hardness ceramics (HS 690912)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 690912 (the code used for high-hardness ceramics) in UN Comtrade data were China ($250M, 18% of world imports), the United States ($171M) and Taiwan (about $126M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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.
Is the HS code for High-hardness ceramics the same in all countries?
The base HS code 690912 for High-hardness ceramics is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for high-hardness ceramics in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 690912 into 4 NCM codes, so the right one for high-hardness ceramics depends on the product's details: 6909.12.10 (Hard (Mohs 9+) ceramic textile thread guides), 6909.12.20 (Hard (Mohs 9+) ceramic print-head needle guides), 6909.12.30 (Silicon carbide (Mohs 9+) mechanical seal rings), 6909.12.90 (Other hard (Mohs 9+) technical ceramic articles).