Product classification
HS code for Laboratory ceramics: 6909.19
Ceramic wares, for laboratory, chemical or other technical uses, other than articles having a hardness equivalent to 9 or more on the Mohs scale or of porcelain or china.
Classification of laboratory ceramics under HS 6909.19
Laboratory ceramics under HS code 6909.19 include a wide range of ceramic wares used for technical, chemical, or scientific purposes. The classification is primarily defined by the material composition and the intended use. Heading 6909 is dedicated to ceramic wares for laboratory or technical uses. Subheading 6909.19 is a "catch-all" for items that are not made of porcelain or china and do not meet the extreme hardness requirements of specialized industrial ceramics. These items are valued for their thermal shock resistance, chemical inertness, and ability to withstand high temperatures without contaminating samples. The classification process involves verifying that the article is not a refractory brick (Chapter 68) and is specifically shaped for laboratory functions like heating, filtering, or mixing. This code is crucial for scientific equipment suppliers to ensure that technical ceramics are not confused with decorative pottery or household kitchenware, as the manufacturing standards for lab-grade ceramics are significantly more stringent.
- Covers
- Ceramic crucibles for high-temperature melting
- Ceramic combustion boats
- Ceramic filter plates and funnels
- Ceramic mortars and pestles for lab use
- Ceramic spatulas and spoons
- Also under 6909.19
- CeramTec steatite insulators
- Denka cordierite products
- NGK Spark Plug ceramic components
- Friatec technical ceramics
Codes often confused with 6909.19
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is with HS code 6909.11, which is specifically for laboratory ceramics made of porcelain or china. If the material is a coarser ceramic or technical stoneware, 6909.19 is the correct choice. Additionally, refractory goods like those used in furnace linings are classified under 6903, not 6909.
Top exporters and importers of HS 690919 (the code used for laboratory ceramics), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 690919 (the code used for laboratory ceramics) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 13% 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 690919, not only laboratory ceramics.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $1.2B 25% of world exports
- 2 United States $672M 14% of world exports
- 3 Poland $586M 13% of world exports
World total: $4.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $589M 13% of world imports
- 2 Germany $496M 11% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $350M 8.0% of world imports
World total: $4.4B 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 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 laboratory ceramics
Brazil splits HS 6909.19 into 4 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 6909.19.10Other ceramic thread guides for textile machines
- 6909.19.20Other ceramic print-head needle guides
- 6909.19.30Ceramic honeycomb for vehicle catalytic converters
- 6909.19.90Other technical ceramic wares
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about laboratory ceramics
What is the HS code for Laboratory ceramics?
The HS code for Laboratory ceramics is 690919 (Ceramic wares; for laboratory, chemical or other technical uses, other than articles having a hardness equivalent to 9 or more on the Mohs scale or of porcelain or china). The HS code for laboratory ceramics (other than porcelain) is 6909.19.
How do I classify Laboratory ceramics for customs?
Laboratory ceramics is classified under HS code 690919 — Ceramic wares; for laboratory, chemical or other technical uses, other than articles having a hardness equivalent to 9 or more on the Mohs scale or of porcelain or china. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
How do I distinguish between 6909.11 and 6909.19?
6909.11 is strictly for porcelain or china labware, which is usually white, translucent, and fine-grained. 6909.19 is for all other ceramic materials used in labs.
Which countries are the top exporters of laboratory ceramics (HS 690919)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 690919 (the code used for laboratory ceramics) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($1.2B, 25% of world exports), the United States ($672M) and Poland ($586M). World exports came to about $4.7B, 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 laboratory ceramics (HS 690919)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 690919 (the code used for laboratory ceramics) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($589M, 13% of world imports), Germany ($496M) and South Korea ($350M). World imports came to about $4.4B, 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 Laboratory ceramics the same in all countries?
The base HS code 690919 for Laboratory 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 laboratory ceramics in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 690919 into 4 NCM codes, so the right one for laboratory ceramics depends on the product's details: 6909.19.10 (Other ceramic thread guides for textile machines), 6909.19.20 (Other ceramic print-head needle guides), 6909.19.30 (Ceramic honeycomb for vehicle catalytic converters), 6909.19.90 (Other technical ceramic wares).