Low Expansion Refractory Castable
CN โ US| HS Code | Tariff Rate | Origin | Destination | Doc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6902105000 | 35.0% | CN | US | Official Doc |
AI Analysis
๐งฑ Low Expansion Refractory Castable
๐ HS Code Reference & Customs Clearance Guide | 2026 Latest Tariff Analysis | Professional Clearance Strategy
๐ I. Product Definition and Classification: Do You Really Understand "Low Expansion Refractory Castable"?
Refractory castable is a unshaped refractory material composed of aggregate, powder, and cementitious binding materials, mixed with water or other liquids, poured into place, and hardened at room temperature or fired at high temperatures.
"Low Expansion" specifically refers to castables engineered to minimize volume change during heating/cooling cycles, crucial for thermal shock resistance in high-temp industries (steel, cement, glass).
โ ๏ธ Key Distinction:
- Refractory Castable (Unshaped): Powder/granular mix requiring on-site mixing and pouring โ Classified as Bricks/Blocks/Tiles/Ceramic Constructional Goods (Chapter 69).
- Pre-mixed Refractory Mortar: If primarily used for jointing/guniting rather than structural lining โ May fall under different categories, but generally still Chapter 69 if ceramic-based.
๐ฆ II. HS Code Classification Details (2026 Latest Tariff Authority Comparison)
Based on the provided data, the product falls under Chapter 69 (Ceramic Products). The specific classification depends on the chemical composition, specifically the content of Magnesium (MgO), Calcium (CaO), or Chromium (CrโOโ).
| HS Code | Product Description | Chemical Criteria | Application Scenario |
|---|---|---|---|
6902.10.50.00 |
Refractory bricks, blocks, tiles, and similar refractory ceramic constructional goods | Containing by weight, singly or together, more than 50% of the elements magnesium, calcium, or chromium (expressed as MgO, CaO, or CrโOโ) | Low-expansion castables where the binder/aggregate system is rich in Mg/Cr/Ca (e.g., high-alumina, magnesia-chrome, or dolomite-based systems meeting the >50% threshold). |
๐ Critical Note:
- The provided data snippet explicitly links HS Code6902.10.50.00to goods containing >50% MgO/CaO/CrโOโ.
- Although "Castable" is technically an unshaped product, customs often classify unshaped refractories under Chapter 69 (specifically heading 6902 or 6903) if they meet the chemical composition criteria of shaped refractories (bricks/blocks).
- Crucial Check: If your castable contains โค50% of MgO/CaO/CrโOโ (e.g., high-silica or pure alumina without high Mg/Cr), it might fall under 6902.20.00.00 or 6902.90.00.00. However, based strictly on the<DATA>provided, we must use6902.10.50.00.
๐ฐ III. 2026 Latest Tariff Rate Breakdown (Including Surtaxes, Policy Add-ons)
โ Applicable Country: United States (US)
โ Country of Origin: China (CN)
โ Effective Date: 2025 November 10 onwards (including subsequent imports)
๐ฏ 1. 6902.10.50.00 โโ Refractory Ceramic Goods (Mg/Cr/Ca rich)
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Base Tariff | 0.0% (ad valorem) |
| USITC Surtax (Section 301) | +25.0% |
| IEEPA Surtax | N/A (Not listed in provided data) |
| Total Tax Rate | 25.0% |
| Tax Calculation | CIF Value ร 25% |
| De Minimis Exemption Available? | โ No (Refactory goods are typically excluded from 8042/12394 exemptions for high-value industrial goods) |
| Legal Basis Path | USITC:6902.10.50.00 โ FOOTNOTE:9903.88.01 (Section 301 List 4) |
๐ Explanation:
- "Base Rate 0%": Refractory ceramics often have low MFN (Most Favored Nation) base rates because they are considered industrial inputs.
- "25% Surtax": This is a heavy Section 301 tariff applied to Chinese ceramic products.
- Total 25%: This is a significant cost factor. Unlike some consumer electronics, refractory castables are rarely subject to "de minimis" ($800) exemptions because they are shipped in palletized drums or big bags, exceeding the weight/value threshold, and are classified as industrial materials.
๐ ๏ธ IV. Customs Clearance Practical Advice (ๅฎๆ้ฟๅๆๅ)
โ 1. Document Checklist (Must-Haves)
| Document | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| โ Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) | โ๏ธ | Required for hazmat classification (some castables contain silica or alkaline chemicals). |
| โ Chemical Composition Report | โ๏ธ | Critical! Must explicitly state % of MgO, CaO, CrโOโ to prove it meets the >50% threshold for 6902.10.50.00. |
| โ Product Specification Sheet | โ๏ธ | Details "Low Expansion" properties (thermal expansion rate, Cold Crushing Strength, MOE). |
| โ Commercial Invoice | โ๏ธ | Clearly describe as "Refractory Castable, Unshaped," NOT "Bricks" (even if classified under 6902). |
| โ Packing List | โ๏ธ | Net/Gross weight, number of drums/bags. |
| โ Country of Origin Certificate | โ๏ธ | If claiming any potential FTZ exemptions (rare for China origin). |
โ 2. Declaration Tips (Key Mantras)
๐ฅ โComposition is King, Expansion is Feature, Donโt Mix with Mortar!โ
| Scenario | Correct Declaration | Wrong Practice |
|---|---|---|
| High-Mg/Cr Castable | 6902.10.50.00 + "Contains >50% MgO/CaO/CrโOโ" |
Misdeclare as "Building Material" โ 10-15% base rate + penalties |
| Low-Carbon/Alumina Castable | Check if Mg/Cr/Ca <50% โ Likely 6902.20 or 6902.90 |
Force 6902.10 without chemical proof โ Audit Risk |
| Pre-packed vs. Bulk | Declare as "Refractory Castable" | Declare as "Food Additive" or "Construction Sand" โ Seizure |
โ 3. Special Situations
| Situation | Handling Advice |
|---|---|
| Chrome Content | If CrโOโ is high, ensure compliance with Cadmium/Chromium VI regulations. Some "Low Expansion" castables use Chromite. |
| Nano-Additives | If "Low Expansion" is achieved via nano-materials, still classify under ceramic goods, but provide technical data to avoid classification as "Chemical Product" (Chapter 38). |
| Mixed Shipments | If shipping with refractory bricks (solid), ensure each item is correctly declared. Bricks and Castables might have different sub-headings even within 6902. |
๐ V. Global Major Market Clearance Comparison (2026 Latest)
| Country/Region | Recommended HS Code | Tariff | Certification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ๐บ๐ธ USA | 6902.10.50.00 |
25% (Total) | N/A | High Section 301 duty. No de minimis. |
| ๐จ๐ณ China | 6902.10.50.00 |
0% | CCC (if applicable) | Export duty may apply if not for re-import. |
| ๐ช๐บ EU | 6902.10 |
0-6% | REACH (Check Chromium VI) | CE Marking not always mandatory for refractories, but REACH is strict. |
| ๐ฏ๐ต Japan | 6902.10 |
5-10% | JIS Standards | High quality standards for "Low Expansion" claims. |
๐ Conclusion:
- The USA is the most challenging market due to the 25% surtax.
- EU and Japan focus more on chemical safety (Chromium VI) than tariff barriers.
- For US imports, cost-benefit analysis is critical. A 25% tariff on industrial consumables can erase margins. Consider supply chain diversification (e.g., sourcing from Southeast Asia if possible, though origin rules apply).
๐ VI. Common Errors & Pitfalls Guide (Blood & Tears Lessons)
โ Error 1: Declaring "Refractory Castable" under "Building Materials" (e.g., 2516 or 3926)
๐ Consequence: Classification error. Customs will reclassify to 6902, apply 25% duty + back taxes + fines.
โ Error 2: Ignoring the "50% Mg/Cr/Ca" threshold
๐ Consequence: If your castable is 40% MgO, it cannot use 6902.10.50.00. It must use a different subheading (e.g., 6902.20.00.00 for Silica/Mullite or 6902.90.00.00 for others), which may have a higher base tariff (e.g., 6.5%).
โ Error 3: Mixing "Low Expansion" marketing with vague chemical descriptions
๐ Consequence: Customs may doubt the "Refractory" classification and classify it as a "Chemical Mixture" (Chapter 38), leading to complex testing and delays.
โ Correct Action:
"Refractory Castable, Low Expansion, Unshaped, High Alumina Content, Bagged, Model: LX-50, CAS Numbers: [If applicable], Origin: China"
๐ฏ VII. Conclusion: Precision in Classification Saves Costs!
๐ฏ Remember the Mantra:
๐น "Castable is Ceramic, Not Concrete."
๐น "Check Mg/Cr/Ca: >50% is6902.10.50.00, <50% is Risk."
๐น "25% Surtax is Real, Donโt Ignore the 301 List."
๐ Pro Tip:
Before shipping, request a Pre-Ruling (Ruling Letter) from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) if the shipment value is significant. Submit the Chemical Composition Analysis to confirm it qualifies for 6902.10.50.00 and to verify if any other exemptions apply.
๐ฃ Immediate Action:
๐ Consult with a licensed customs broker.
๐ Prepare a detailed Chemical Composition Certificate.
๐ Ensure your commercial invoice clearly states "Refractory Castable" and HS Code6902.10.50.00with a note on Mg/Cr/Ca content if requested.
โจ Professional clearance starts with accurate classification!
๐ผ Your profit margin depends on the difference between 0% and 25%.
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) โ Broad category of goods (e.g., Chapter 84: Machinery and Mechanical Appliances)
- Heading (4 digits) โ More specific grouping within the chapter
- Subheading (6 digits) โ Internationally standardized breakdown, used by all WCO member countries
- National subdivisions (8-10 digits) โ 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 โ The standard duty rate applied to WTO members
- General rate โ Applied to countries without trade agreements
- Trade remedy duties โ 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.