Chapter 69 covers ceramic products, including refractory ceramic products, construction ceramics, sanitary ceramics, insulators, ceramic tableware, etc. Ceramics in this chapter refer to products made from inorganic non-metallic materials such as clay, silica, and feldspar through forming and sintering. However, glass, glass-ceramics, cermets, etc. are separately provided for. Refractory ceramic products are an important part of this chapter and are used in high-temperature industrial environments. Heading 6903 covers other refractory ceramic products, such as refractory products containing graphite or other carbon, refractory products containing aluminosilicates, etc. These products must be able to withstand high temperatures (usually >1500°C) and are used in metallurgy, glass, cement, and other industries. However, it does not include siliceous refractory materials (6901), refractory clay products (6902), and certain specific refractory materials. The first 2 digits 69 represent Chapter 69, ceramic products. The 3rd-4th digits 03 represent heading 6903, referring to other refractory ceramic products. The 5th-6th digits 10 represent subheading 690310, specifically referring to refractory products containing graphite or other carbon. This subheading is further subdivided according to carbon content, form, etc., but the international HS only goes to 6 digits, and countries may extend it. When classifying, it is necessary to confirm that the product contains graphite or carbon and is used for refractory purposes. The commodity contains graphite or other carbon and is a refractory product, so it is classified under 690310 rather than other refractory ceramic subheadings (such as 690320 containing aluminosilicate, 690390 other). The difference from 6902 refractory clay products lies in the composition: 6902 mainly contains refractory clay, while 690310 contains carbon. The difference from 6901 siliceous refractory materials lies in the silica content.

Product name: Declare the commodity name, which should accurately reflect the material and use, such as "graphite-containing refractory brick" or "carbon composite refractory material". Material composition: Explain in detail the main components and contents, such as graphite content, carbon content, other refractory oxides, etc., and a test report must be provided. Carbon content: Declare the specific percentage of graphite or carbon. This is the key indicator for classification under 690310, usually requiring carbon content >1%. Use: Explain the specific application scenario, such as steelmaking furnace lining, continuous casting three major components, electrolytic aluminum cell, etc., and it must be related to refractory performance. Appearance and dimensions: Declare the shape (brick, plate, tube, etc.) and dimensions, which affect classification and tax rates but are not decisive. Refractoriness: Declare the refractoriness (such as ≥1500°C) to prove compliance with the definition of refractory products. Brand and model: If there is a brand and model, they must be declared to facilitate identification and customs valuation. Production process: Briefly describe the forming and firing process, such as isostatic pressing and high-temperature sintering, to prove refractory performance. Product name: Graphite-containing refractory brick; Material composition: graphite 30%, alumina 60%, silica 10%; Carbon content: 30%; Use: steelmaking converter lining; Appearance and dimensions: 230mm×114mm×65mm; Refractoriness: 1800°C; Brand: XX; Model: G-30; Production process: isostatic pressing, sintering at 1600°C. Failure to declare carbon content or false declaration, resulting in inability to classify under 690310. Misreporting refractory products as ordinary ceramics, ignoring the refractoriness indicator. Vague declaration of composition, such as "carbon-containing refractory material", without listing specific percentages. Use description unrelated to refractory performance, such as "for construction", causing classification doubts.

Core basis for classification: 1. Whether the product is refractory ceramic (refractoriness ≥1500°C); 2. Whether it contains graphite or other carbon (carbon content usually >1%); 3. Whether it belongs to other refractory ceramics under 6903. It is necessary to combine the Import and Export Tariff and notes to confirm composition and use. If it contains carbon and is refractory, it should be classified under 690310 first. 690320 Refractory products containing alumina or aluminum silicate: 690320 mainly contains alumina or aluminum silicate, does not contain carbon or has low carbon content; 690310 uses carbon as the key component and has high carbon content. 690390 Other refractory ceramic products: 690390 is a residual subheading, applicable to refractory ceramics that do not contain carbon or whose carbon content does not meet the standard, such as silicon carbide and silicon nitride products. 690210 Refractory products containing magnesium, calcium, or chromium: 690210 is mainly based on oxides of magnesium, calcium, and chromium, and does not contain carbon; 690310 is characterized by carbon as the component. 690220 Refractory products containing alumina or aluminum silicate: 690220 refers to refractory clay products, mainly composed of alumina and aluminum silicate, and does not contain carbon. 681510 Non-electrical graphite or other carbon products: 681510 refers to graphite or carbon products, but not refractory ceramics, usually does not contain a ceramic binder phase, and has low refractoriness. Is it confirmed that the refractoriness is ≥1500°C? Does it contain graphite or other carbon? Does the carbon content meet the subheading requirements? Is it a ceramic product? Are other headings excluded?

How can it be determined whether a refractory product contains graphite or other carbon? It is necessary to check the product composition test report and confirm the carbon element content. Usually, a carbon content >1% can be regarded as containing carbon, but the specific tariff notes should be consulted. If it contains graphite, the graphite content must be indicated. What is the difference in classification between carbon-containing refractory bricks and ordinary refractory bricks? Carbon-containing refractory bricks are classified under 690310, while ordinary refractory bricks are classified under 6902 or other subheadings of 6903 according to composition. The key difference lies in carbon content, and carbon-containing refractory bricks require proof of carbon content. Is a refractoriness test report required? Yes, refractoriness is a key indicator for determining refractory ceramics. Customs may require a test report to prove that the refractoriness is ≥1500°C. If it cannot be provided, it may be classified as ordinary ceramics. What are the regulatory conditions for exporting goods under 690310? Regulatory conditions vary by country and usually require composition test reports, refractoriness reports, etc. Some countries may require export licenses. It is recommended to check the latest customs regulations. How can carbon-containing refractory products and carbon products be distinguished? Carbon-containing refractory products have a ceramic bond and high refractoriness, and are classified under 690310; carbon products such as graphite electrodes are classified under 8545 or 6815. The key difference lies in whether they contain a ceramic phase and their use. If the carbon content is less than 1%, which code should it be classified under? If the carbon content is low and alumina is the main component, it may be classified under 690320; if other components are main, it is classified under 690390. It must be determined according to the main components and refractoriness. What documents are required for importing graphite-containing refractory products? Usually, a contract, invoice, packing list, composition test report, refractoriness report, certificate of origin, etc. are required. Some countries may require an MSDS. It is recommended to confirm with the customs broker in advance. How can the import tax rate for 690310 be checked? You can log on to the website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use a tariff query tool, enter HS code 690310, and check the MFN rate, general rate, etc. Tax rates may change, and the latest announcement shall prevail.