HS Code for Plasterboard

Plasterboard, commonly known as drywall or gypsum board, is classified under HS code 6809.11. This classification is based on the material composition and the manufacturing format of the product. Chapter 68 covers articles of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica, or similar materials. Heading 6809 is dedicated to articles of plaster or compositions based on plaster. The subheading 6809.11 specifically identifies boards, sheets, panels, and tiles that are faced or reinforced with paper or paperboard only and are not ornamented. This precisely describes standard plasterboard, which consists of a gypsum core sandwiched between two layers of heavy paper. The classification is driven by the fact that the paper serves as a structural reinforcement rather than a decorative finish, and the core is the primary component of the article.

Products Included

• Standard gypsum wallboard
• Fire-resistant plasterboard (paper-faced)
• Moisture-resistant drywall (green board)
• Sound-dampening plasterboard with paper facing
• Gypsum ceiling panels (non-ornamented)

Common Misclassification

Plasterboard is often confused with HS code 6809.19, which is for plaster boards faced or reinforced with materials other than paper (such as fiberglass mats or textile fibers). If the board has a decorative vinyl or plastic surface, it may also be excluded from 6809.11. Another error is classifying it under 4811.90 (coated paperboard), but since the gypsum core provides the essential character of the product, Chapter 68 is the correct location. Additionally, fiber cement boards are classified under 6811, not 6809.

FAQ

What is the HS code for Plasterboard?

The HS code for standard paper-faced plasterboard or drywall is 6809.11.

Does fire-rated plasterboard use a different code?

As long as the fire-rated board is faced only with paper or paperboard and is not ornamented, it remains under HS code 6809.11.