Chapter 69 covers ceramic products, including refractory products made of siliceous fossil meals or similar siliceous earths, ceramic building bricks, ceramic tableware, sanitary fixtures, insulators, ceramic pipes, etc. Ceramics in this chapter refer to inorganic non-metallic materials fired at high temperatures, mainly composed of clay, kaolin, feldspar, quartz, etc. Building ceramics are a major commodity among them, involving bricks, tiles, panels, pipes, etc. Heading 6904 covers only ceramic building bricks, flooring blocks, support or filler tiles and similar articles, including ordinary building bricks, floor tiles, non-refractory ceramic paving tiles, etc. It does not include refractory bricks (6902), ceramic tableware (6911), sanitary fixtures (6910), ceramic pipes (6906), etc. The key feature is use for building structures or decoration, rather than refractory, tableware, or industrial uses. First 2 digits 69 = chapter of ceramic products; digits 3-4 04 = heading for ceramic building bricks, flooring blocks, support or filler tiles and similar articles; digits 5-6 10 = specific subheading, referring to ceramic building bricks (non-refractory). Note: under 6904 there is also subheading 90 (other), such as ceramic paving tiles, mosaics, etc. The complete code 690410 refers only to ceramic building bricks, usually fired from clay or shale, used for walls or foundations. This commodity is a ceramic building brick, non-refractory, not a decorative paving tile (classified under 6907), and not tableware (6911). Its compressive strength, water absorption, etc. meet the standards for building structural bricks, and it is not refractory (refractoriness below 1500°C), so it is classified under 690410 rather than 6902 (refractory bricks) or 6907 (ceramic paving tiles).
Chapter
Chapter 69 covers ceramic products, including refractory products made of siliceous fossil meals or similar siliceous earths, ceramic building bricks, ceramic tableware, sanitary fixtures, insulators, ceramic pipes, etc. Ceramics in this chapter refer to inorganic non-metallic materials fired at high temperatures, mainly composed of clay, kaolin, feldspar, quartz, etc. Building ceramics are a major commodity among them, involving bricks, tiles, panels, pipes, etc.
Heading
Heading 6904 covers only ceramic building bricks, flooring blocks, support or filler tiles and similar articles, including ordinary building bricks, floor tiles, non-refractory ceramic paving tiles, etc. It does not include refractory bricks (6902), ceramic tableware (6911), sanitary fixtures (6910), ceramic pipes (6906), etc. The key feature is use for building structures or decoration, rather than refractory, tableware, or industrial uses.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 69 = chapter of ceramic products; digits 3-4 04 = heading for ceramic building bricks, flooring blocks, support or filler tiles and similar articles; digits 5-6 10 = specific subheading, referring to ceramic building bricks (non-refractory). Note: under 6904 there is also subheading 90 (other), such as ceramic paving tiles, mosaics, etc. The complete code 690410 refers only to ceramic building bricks, usually fired from clay or shale, used for walls or foundations.
Classification Basis
This commodity is a ceramic building brick, non-refractory, not a decorative paving tile (classified under 6907), and not tableware (6911). Its compressive strength, water absorption, etc. meet the standards for building structural bricks, and it is not refractory (refractoriness below 1500°C), so it is classified under 690410 rather than 6902 (refractory bricks) or 6907 (ceramic paving tiles).
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared commodity, such as "ceramic building brick" or "fired clay brick". It must be consistent with the actual goods. Material: Main components, such as clay, shale, fly ash, etc., as well as firing temperature and water absorption. Use: Clearly used for building walls, foundations, flooring, and other structural purposes, rather than decoration or refractory use. Dimensions: Length, width, height (thickness), in millimeters. This affects classification and tariff rates. Compressive strength: The compressive strength of the brick, in MPa, used to determine whether it is for building use. Water absorption: Water absorption percentage, distinguishing porcelain tiles from ceramic tiles, affecting subheading. Brand: Manufacturer or brand name; if no brand, fill in "none". Model: Product model or specification code, for easy identification. Product name: ceramic building brick; Material: clay, firing temperature 1100°C, water absorption 8%; Use: load-bearing building wall; Dimensions: 240mm×115mm×53mm; Compressive strength: 15MPa; Brand: XX; Model: JZ-240. Misreporting ceramic building bricks as refractory bricks, leading to classification under 6902, with different tariff rates and regulatory conditions. Ignoring the water absorption indicator, which may lead to classification under 6907 (ceramic paving tiles), affecting classification. Incomplete declaration of dimensions, providing only length and width, lacking thickness, affecting inspection and classification.
Product name
The specific name of the declared commodity, such as "ceramic building brick" or "fired clay brick". It must be consistent with the actual goods.
⚠️ Misreporting as "refractory brick" or "tile", leading to incorrect classification.
Material
Main components, such as clay, shale, fly ash, etc., as well as firing temperature and water absorption.
⚠️ Writing only "ceramic" without specifying the specific raw materials and firing temperature.
Use
Clearly used for building walls, foundations, flooring, and other structural purposes, rather than decoration or refractory use.
⚠️ Writing vaguely "for construction" without distinguishing load-bearing or non-load-bearing.
Dimensions
Length, width, height (thickness), in millimeters. This affects classification and tariff rates.
⚠️ Writing only length and width, omitting thickness; or incorrect units.
Compressive strength
The compressive strength of the brick, in MPa, used to determine whether it is for building use.
⚠️ Not providing it or providing an incorrect value, leading to doubts.
Water absorption
Water absorption percentage, distinguishing porcelain tiles from ceramic tiles, affecting subheading.
⚠️ Ignoring water absorption, which may lead to incorrect classification under 6907.
Brand
Manufacturer or brand name; if no brand, fill in "none".
⚠️ Filling in the wrong brand or one inconsistent with the actual goods.
Model
Product model or specification code, for easy identification.
⚠️ Model inconsistent with the actual goods or missing.
Example： Product name: ceramic building brick; Material: clay, firing temperature 1100°C, water absorption 8%; Use: load-bearing building wall; Dimensions: 240mm×115mm×53mm; Compressive strength: 15MPa; Brand: XX; Model: JZ-240.
Common Mistakes：
Misreporting ceramic building bricks as refractory bricks, leading to classification under 6902, with different tariff rates and regulatory conditions.
Ignoring the water absorption indicator, which may lead to classification under 6907 (ceramic paving tiles), affecting classification.
Incomplete declaration of dimensions, providing only length and width, lacking thickness, affecting inspection and classification.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1. Material is ceramic, fired at high temperature; 2. Use is for building structures (walls, foundations, etc.), not decorative, not refractory; 3. Compressive strength meets building brick standards; 4. Water absorption is usually greater than 6% (ceramic); 5. Non-refractory (refractoriness below 1500°C). If the above conditions are met, classify under 690410. 6902 Refractory bricks: Refractory bricks have refractoriness ≥1500°C, used in kilns and other high-temperature environments; building bricks have low refractoriness and are used in ordinary buildings. 6907 Ceramic paving tiles: 6907 covers decorative paving tiles and mosaics, with low water absorption (≤0.5%), used for wall and floor decoration; 690410 covers building structural bricks. 6905 Ceramic roof tiles: 6905 covers roof tiles, with different shapes and uses; 690410 covers bricks, used for walls. 6810 Cement bricks: 6810 covers bricks made of cement and concrete, not ceramic; 690410 covers fired ceramic bricks. Is it used for building structures rather than decoration? Is it fired at high temperature and non-refractory? Is the water absorption greater than 6%? Do the dimensions meet building brick standards? Is it distinguished from refractory bricks and paving tiles?
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1. Material is ceramic, fired at high temperature; 2. Use is for building structures (walls, foundations, etc.), not decorative, not refractory; 3. Compressive strength meets building brick standards; 4. Water absorption is usually greater than 6% (ceramic); 5. Non-refractory (refractoriness below 1500°C). If the above conditions are met, classify under 690410.
Confused Codes：
6902 - Refractory bricks
Refractory bricks have refractoriness ≥1500°C, used in kilns and other high-temperature environments; building bricks have low refractoriness and are used in ordinary buildings.
6907 - Ceramic paving tiles
6907 covers decorative paving tiles and mosaics, with low water absorption (≤0.5%), used for wall and floor decoration; 690410 covers building structural bricks.
6905 - Ceramic roof tiles
6905 covers roof tiles, with different shapes and uses; 690410 covers bricks, used for walls.
6810 - Cement bricks
6810 covers bricks made of cement and concrete, not ceramic; 690410 covers fired ceramic bricks.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it used for building structures rather than decoration?
✓ Is it fired at high temperature and non-refractory?
✓ Is the water absorption greater than 6%?
✓ Do the dimensions meet building brick standards?
✓ Is it distinguished from refractory bricks and paving tiles?
❓ FAQ
How to check the import tariff rate for 690410? You can visit the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use the "Customs Classification Query" system, enter HS code 690410, and check the MFN rate, general rate, VAT, and consumption tax. Tariff rates may change, so refer to the latest announcement. How to distinguish ceramic building bricks from ceramic paving tiles? Mainly by use and water absorption: building bricks are used for walls and foundations, with water absorption usually >6%; paving tiles are used for decoration, with water absorption ≤0.5%. If water absorption is low and used for decoration, classify under 6907. What are the consequences of omitting water absorption in declaration? It may lead to incorrect classification, be deemed by customs as false declaration, and result in tax recovery, fines, or downgrading. It is recommended to provide complete indicators such as water absorption. What regulatory conditions are required for exporting 690410? Generally, there are no special regulatory conditions for export, but it must comply with the standards of the destination country. Some countries require CE and ISO certification. It is recommended to check China customs export regulatory conditions and destination country requirements. If a ceramic tile has a brand but no model, how to declare? The model can be filled in as "none" or "not provided", but ensure the product name, material, etc. are accurate. The brand must be declared truthfully; if no brand, fill in "none". What is the difference between 690410 and 690490? 690410 specifically refers to ceramic building bricks; 690490 includes other ceramic building products, such as paving tiles, support bricks, etc. If it is a building brick, it should be classified under 690410. For cross-border e-commerce sales of ceramic tiles, how to choose the HS code? According to use and material: building structural bricks use 690410; decorative paving tiles use 6907; refractory bricks use 6902. It is recommended to consult a customs broker or customs. What tests are required for imported ceramic tiles? Usually, tests for compressive strength, water absorption, dimensional deviation, radioactivity, etc. are required, complying with standards such as GB/T 4100. Specific requirements are subject to customs and commodity inspection.
Q: How to check the import tariff rate for 690410?
A: You can visit the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use the "Customs Classification Query" system, enter HS code 690410, and check the MFN rate, general rate, VAT, and consumption tax. Tariff rates may change, so refer to the latest announcement.
Q: How to distinguish ceramic building bricks from ceramic paving tiles?
A: Mainly by use and water absorption: building bricks are used for walls and foundations, with water absorption usually >6%; paving tiles are used for decoration, with water absorption ≤0.5%. If water absorption is low and used for decoration, classify under 6907.
Q: What are the consequences of omitting water absorption in declaration?
A: It may lead to incorrect classification, be deemed by customs as false declaration, and result in tax recovery, fines, or downgrading. It is recommended to provide complete indicators such as water absorption.
Q: What regulatory conditions are required for exporting 690410?
A: Generally, there are no special regulatory conditions for export, but it must comply with the standards of the destination country. Some countries require CE and ISO certification. It is recommended to check China customs export regulatory conditions and destination country requirements.
Q: If a ceramic tile has a brand but no model, how to declare?
A: The model can be filled in as "none" or "not provided", but ensure the product name, material, etc. are accurate. The brand must be declared truthfully; if no brand, fill in "none".
Q: What is the difference between 690410 and 690490?
A: 690410 specifically refers to ceramic building bricks; 690490 includes other ceramic building products, such as paving tiles, support bricks, etc. If it is a building brick, it should be classified under 690410.
Q: For cross-border e-commerce sales of ceramic tiles, how to choose the HS code?
A: According to use and material: building structural bricks use 690410; decorative paving tiles use 6907; refractory bricks use 6902. It is recommended to consult a customs broker or customs.
Q: What tests are required for imported ceramic tiles?
A: Usually, tests for compressive strength, water absorption, dimensional deviation, radioactivity, etc. are required, complying with standards such as GB/T 4100. Specific requirements are subject to customs and commodity inspection.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.