Artificial Graphite Plate for Commutators
CN β US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3801101000 | 38.7% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 3801105010 | 35.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 8503002000 | 37.4% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 8503009590 | 0.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 6815110000 | 35.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
| 6815130000 | 35.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
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AI Analysis
β‘ Artificial Graphite Plates for Commutators (Brushes)
π HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional-Level Strategy
π I. Product Definition & Classification: Is It a "Part" or a "Preparation"?
Graphite brushes are the heartbeat of electric motors and generators, providing electrical contact between stationary and rotating parts. However, customs classification depends strictly on the form and manufacturing stage of the graphite product.
The input product "Artificial Graphite Plate for Commutators" refers to semi-finished graphite blocks, plates, or rods designed specifically to be machined into brushes for electric generators, motors, or machines (Heading 8501 or 8502).
β οΈ Critical Distinction Point:
- Finished Brushes (pre-shaped, ready to install) β Often classified under Parts of Machines (e.g.,8503.00).
- Semi-Finished Graphite (Plates/Rods/Blocks) β Classified under Preparations based on Graphite (3801.10) because they are "wholly or partly manufactured" for the purpose of making brushes, not yet finished brushes themselves.
- Surface-Modified Spherical Graphite β This is a raw material form, NOT a plate/brush form.
π¦ II. HS Code Classification Details (2026 Latest Tariff Authority Match)
Based strictly on the provided <DATA>, here is the precise mapping for "Artificial Graphite Plates for Commutators":
| HS Code | Product Description | Applicability | Tax Status |
|---|---|---|---|
3801.10.10.00 |
Artificial graphite: Plates, rods, powder and other forms, wholly or partly manufactured, for manufacturing into brushes for electric generators, motors or other machines or appliances | β
MATCH This is the exact description for semi-finished graphite plates/rods intended for brush manufacturing. |
0.0% (Base: 0%, Additional: 0%) |
3801.10.50.10 |
Artificial graphite: Other Surface-modified spherical graphite | β NO This is for spherical powders/granules, not plates or semi-finished brush forms. |
25.0% (Base: 0%, Additional: 25%) |
8503.00.20.00 |
Parts suitable for use solely or principally with machines of heading 8501 or 8502: Commutators | β NO This refers to the commutator itself (the copper segment assembly), not the graphite brush/plate. |
0.0% (Base: 0%, Additional: 0%) |
8503.00.95.90 |
Parts suitable for use solely or principally with machines of heading 8501 or 8502: Other | β NO This is a residual "Other Parts" category. Graphite plates have a specific heading ( 3801). |
Error (Failed to retrieve tax info) |
6815.11.00.00 |
Articles of stone or other mineral substances: Carbon fibers | β NO Carbon fiber is different from artificial graphite. |
25.0% (Base: 0%, Additional: 25%) |
6815.13.00.00 |
Articles of stone or other mineral substances: Other articles of carbon fibers | β NO Again, carbon fiber, not graphite. |
25.0% (Base: 0%, Additional: 25%) |
π Key Insight:
The product is NOT a "Part of a Motor" (8503) because it is a semi-finished graphite article intended for manufacture into brushes. It falls squarely under Chapter 38: Preparations based on graphite.
Therefore,3801.10.10.00is the correct and only applicable code from the provided data.
π° III. 2026 Latest Tariff Rate Details
β Applicable Product: Artificial Graphite Plates for Commutators
β HS Code:3801.10.10.00
β Description: Plates, rods, powder and other forms, wholly or partly manufactured, for manufacturing into brushes for electric generators, motors or other machines or appliances.
π― Tariff Breakdown
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 0.0% |
| Additional Tariff (Retaliation/301/etc.) | 0.0% |
| Total Effective Tax Rate | 0.0% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value Γ 0.0% = $0.00 |
| De Minimis Eligibility | N/A (Rate is 0%, so duty is zero regardless) |
| Legal Basis Path | HS:3801.10.10.00 β Tax:0.0% |
π Explanation:
- Unlike spherical graphite (3801.10.50.10) which faces a 25% additional tariff, graphite plates/rods for brush manufacturing (3801.10.10.00) are taxed at 0%.
- This is a significant cost advantage. Misclassifying this as "Other Artificial Graphite" or "Spherical Graphite" could lead to a 25% unexpected duty.
- No USITC or IEEPA additional taxes apply to this specific subheading in the provided data.
π οΈ IV. Customs Clearance Practical Advice (Real-World Pitfall Guide)
β 1. Documentation Checklist (Must-Have)
| Document | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| β Product Specification Sheet | βοΈ | Must explicitly state: "Artificial Graphite Plate, semi-finished, intended for manufacturing into brushes for electric motors." |
| β Intended Use Declaration | βοΈ | A letter stating the product is NOT a finished brush, nor a commutator, but a semi-finished graphite article. |
| β Material Composition | βοΈ | Confirm it is Artificial Graphite (not natural or carbon fiber). |
| β Commercial Invoice | βοΈ | Clearly describe as "Graphite Plates for Brush Manufacturing" rather than just "Graphite Parts." |
| β HS Code Justification | βοΈ | Reference HS Code 3801.10.10.00 and the specific description in the tariff schedule. |
β 2. Classification Strategy (Key Mnemonic)
π₯ βPlate/Rod = 3801.10.10 (0%); Sphere = 3801.10.50 (25%); Brush = 8503 (0%, but different item); Commutator = 8503.00.20 (0%, but different item).β
| Scenario | Correct HS Code | Tax Rate | Risk if Wrong |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graphite Plates/Rods for Brushes | 3801.10.10.00 |
0% | Low (if correctly described) |
| Spherical Graphite | 3801.10.50.10 |
25% | High (Misclassifying plates as sphere) |
| Finished Graphite Brushes | (Not in data, but likely 8503) |
0% | Medium (If declared as plate) |
| Copper Commutator | 8503.00.20.00 |
0% | Low (If clearly copper) |
β οΈ Critical Warning:
- Do NOT use3801.10.50.10(Spherical Graphite) for plates. The description "Plate, rod... for manufacturing into brushes" is specific to3801.10.10.00.
- Do NOT confuse with8503.00.20.00(Commutators). A commutator is a copper component; a graphite plate is the brush material. They are chemically and functionally different.
β 3. Special Handling Tips
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Mixed Shipments | If graphite plates are shipped with finished brushes, declare separately. Finished brushes may have different codes (not in data), but plates are 3801.10.10.00. |
| Customs Inquiry | If asked, provide a photo showing the block/plate shape and a note: "Semi-finished graphite article for further manufacturing into motor brushes." |
| Origin | If originating from a country with FTAs, check if 3801.10.10.00 benefits from zero-duty agreements (though base is already 0%). |
π V. Global Market Comparison (2026 Latest)
| Market | HS Code | Tariff Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| πΊπΈ USA | 3801.10.10.00 |
0% | No additional tariffs on this subheading. |
| π¨π³ China | 3801.10.10.00 |
0% | Generally low duty for industrial graphite. |
| πͺπΊ EU | 3801.10.10 |
Varies | Check EU TARIC for specific duty (often 0-6%). |
| π―π΅ Japan | 3801.10.10 |
Varies | Check JETRO for specific duty. |
π Conclusion:
The US market is highly favorable for this specific item (3801.10.10.00) with 0% total tax. In contrast, spherical graphite (3801.10.50.10) faces 25%. Ensure your commercial invoice and description exactly match the "plate/rod for brush manufacturing" language to secure the 0% rate.
π VI. Common Errors & Pitfalls (Lessons Learned)
β Error 1: Declaring Graphite Plates as "Commutators" (8503.00.20.00)
π Consequence: Customs may reject or reclassify. A commutator is copper; graphite is not. Even if tax is 0% for both, misdescription leads to delays.
β
Fix: Use precise chemical/physical description: "Artificial Graphite Plate."
β Error 2: Declaring Graphite Plates as "Spherical Graphite" (3801.10.50.10)
π Consequence: 25% Unexpected Tax. Spherical graphite is a powder/granule; plates are solid forms.
β
Fix: Emphasize "Plate/Rod/Block" form in description.
β Error 3: Not specifying "For Manufacturing into Brushes"
π Consequence: Ambiguity. If the "for brushes" part is missing, customs might view it as general-purpose graphite, potentially leading to different interpretations.
β
Fix: Include "Intended for use in manufacturing electric motor brushes" in the description.
π― VII. Conclusion: Professional Declaration, Cost Savings!
π― Key Takeaway:
πΉ βPlates/Rods for Brushes = 3801.10.10.00 (0%)β
πΉ βSpherical Graphite = 3801.10.50.10 (25%)β
πΉ βCommutator = 8503.00.20.00 (0%, but different item)β
π Action Plan:
1. Verify Form: Ensure the product is indeed a plate, rod, or block (not a sphere).
2. Verify Use: Confirm it is for manufacturing brushes for electric machines.
3. Declare Accurately: Use HS Code 3801.10.10.00 and include the full description.
4. Avoid Traps: Do not mix with spherical graphite or finished commutators in the same line item.
π£ Immediate Action:
π Contact your customs broker with the exact product description: "Artificial Graphite Plates, semi-finished, for manufacturing into brushes for electric motors."
π Secure the 0% Tax Rate by avoiding the 25% trap of spherical graphite classification.
β¨ Professional clearance starts with precise classification!
πΌ Zero tax is achievableβonly if described correctly!
Customer Reviews
About HS Code Classification
The Harmonized System (HS) is an internationally standardized nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization (WCO) to classify traded products. Over 200 countries use the HS system as the basis for customs tariffs, trade statistics, and import/export regulations.
Each HS code follows a hierarchical structure:
- Chapter (2 digits) β Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
- Heading (4 digits) β More specific grouping within the chapter
- Subheading (6 digits) β Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
- National subdivisions (8-10 digits) β Country-specific extensions for further classification, such as US HTSUS 10-digit codes
Correct HS code classification is essential for smooth customs clearance, accurate duty payment, and compliance with trade regulations. Misclassification can lead to customs delays, overpayment of duties, or penalties.
When importing from CN to US, the applicable tariff rates may include:
- Most-Favored-Nation (MFN) rate β The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
- General rate β Applied to countries without trade agreements
- Trade remedy duties β Additional tariffs such as Section 301 (anti-dumping), Section 232 (national security), or countervailing duties
The information provided on this page is for reference purposes only. For official classification, please consult with your local customs authority or a licensed customs broker.