Chapter 69 covers ceramic products, including various ceramic articles such as bricks, tiles, tableware, sanitary ware, insulators, etc. This chapter is further subdivided based on ceramic composition, firing temperature, use, etc. Ceramic tiles are an important category in this chapter and are widely used in construction and decoration. Heading 6904 includes ceramic building bricks, flooring tiles, support or filler bricks and similar articles, but excludes refractory bricks (6902) and ceramic facing tiles (6907). This heading mainly covers ceramic bricks used for building structures, such as floor tiles, wall tiles, etc., but attention must be paid to distinguishing them from 6907. The first 2 digits 69 represent Chapter 69, ceramic products; digits 3-4, 04, represent heading 6904, namely ceramic building bricks, flooring tiles, etc.; digits 5-6, 90, represent subheading 690490, namely other ceramic tiles, referring to ceramic tiles not specifically named, such as unglazed tiles, specially shaped bricks, etc. This subheading is a residual subheading covering ceramic tiles not included in other subheadings. This commodity is other ceramic tiles and does not belong to refractory bricks (6902), ceramic facing tiles (6907), or specifically named building bricks (such as 690410). Therefore, it is classified under 690490 as the residual subheading for other ceramic tiles.
Chapter
Chapter 69 covers ceramic products, including various ceramic articles such as bricks, tiles, tableware, sanitary ware, insulators, etc. This chapter is further subdivided based on ceramic composition, firing temperature, use, etc. Ceramic tiles are an important category in this chapter and are widely used in construction and decoration.
Heading
Heading 6904 includes ceramic building bricks, flooring tiles, support or filler bricks and similar articles, but excludes refractory bricks (6902) and ceramic facing tiles (6907). This heading mainly covers ceramic bricks used for building structures, such as floor tiles, wall tiles, etc., but attention must be paid to distinguishing them from 6907.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 69 represent Chapter 69, ceramic products; digits 3-4, 04, represent heading 6904, namely ceramic building bricks, flooring tiles, etc.; digits 5-6, 90, represent subheading 690490, namely other ceramic tiles, referring to ceramic tiles not specifically named, such as unglazed tiles, specially shaped bricks, etc. This subheading is a residual subheading covering ceramic tiles not included in other subheadings.
Classification Basis
This commodity is other ceramic tiles and does not belong to refractory bricks (6902), ceramic facing tiles (6907), or specifically named building bricks (such as 690410). Therefore, it is classified under 690490 as the residual subheading for other ceramic tiles.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared commodity, such as "ceramic tile", "unglazed ceramic floor tile", etc., which must be consistent with the actual goods. Material: State the type of ceramic, such as "porcelain", "earthenware", "stoneware", etc., which affects classification. Use: Describe the specific use, such as "building wall", "floor paving", "decorative use", etc. Appearance: Describe shape, dimensions, color, surface treatment (glazed/unglazed), etc. Specifications and model: Fill in the product specifications and model, such as "300x300mm", etc. Brand: If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if there is no brand, declare "no brand". Whether glazed: Clearly state whether it is glazed; glazed tiles and unglazed tiles may be classified under different subheadings. Product name: ceramic tile; Material: porcelain; Use: building floor paving; Appearance: rectangular, size 600x600mm, unglazed, gray; Specifications and model: 600x600mm; Brand: no brand; Whether glazed: unglazed. Mistakenly classifying ceramic facing tiles (6907) under 690490; the two differ in use and thickness. Ignoring the difference between glazed and unglazed, leading to incorrect subheading classification. Failure to provide dimensions and specifications, affecting customs judgment of the brick type.
Product name
The specific name of the declared commodity, such as "ceramic tile", "unglazed ceramic floor tile", etc., which must be consistent with the actual goods.
⚠️ Incorrectly declaring as "tile" or "refractory brick", leading to classification errors.
Material
State the type of ceramic, such as "porcelain", "earthenware", "stoneware", etc., which affects classification.
⚠️ Writing only "ceramic" without specifying porcelain or earthenware, which may affect the determination of the subheading.
Use
Describe the specific use, such as "building wall", "floor paving", "decorative use", etc.
⚠️ Writing generally "for construction" without distinguishing wall or floor, which may confuse it with 6907.
Appearance
Describe shape, dimensions, color, surface treatment (glazed/unglazed), etc.
⚠️ Omitting dimensions or surface treatment, leading to classification disputes.
Specifications and model
Fill in the product specifications and model, such as "300x300mm", etc.
⚠️ Failure to provide specifications, affecting inspection and classification.
Brand
If there is a brand, declare the brand name; if there is no brand, declare "no brand".
⚠️ Omitting the brand or incorrectly declaring as "no brand".
Whether glazed
Clearly state whether it is glazed; glazed tiles and unglazed tiles may be classified under different subheadings.
⚠️ Incorrectly declaring the glazing condition, leading to subheading errors.
Example： Product name: ceramic tile; Material: porcelain; Use: building floor paving; Appearance: rectangular, size 600x600mm, unglazed, gray; Specifications and model: 600x600mm; Brand: no brand; Whether glazed: unglazed.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying ceramic facing tiles (6907) under 690490; the two differ in use and thickness.
Ignoring the difference between glazed and unglazed, leading to incorrect subheading classification.
Failure to provide dimensions and specifications, affecting customs judgment of the brick type.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the product's material, use, shape, and surface treatment. Ceramic tiles must meet the conditions of being for construction, non-refractory, and non-facing. If they are refractory bricks, they are classified under 6902; if they are facing tiles (such as mosaics), they are classified under 6907; if they are specifically named building bricks (such as 690410), they are classified there first. 690410 Ceramic building bricks: 690410 is specifically named building bricks, usually referring to ordinary building bricks; 690490 is other ceramic tiles, including unnamed floor tiles, specially shaped bricks, etc. 6907 Ceramic facing tiles: 6907 is facing tiles, such as wall tiles and mosaics, usually thinner; 690490 is building bricks, thicker, used for structure or paving. 6902 Refractory ceramic bricks: 6902 is refractory bricks, used in high-temperature environments; 690490 is ordinary ceramic tiles, not resistant to high temperatures. 690510 Ceramic roof tiles: 690510 is roof tiles, used for roof covering; 690490 is building bricks, used for floors or walls. Is it refractory? Is it used for building structures? Is it a facing tile? Is it specifically named? Is the surface glazed?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the product's material, use, shape, and surface treatment. Ceramic tiles must meet the conditions of being for construction, non-refractory, and non-facing. If they are refractory bricks, they are classified under 6902; if they are facing tiles (such as mosaics), they are classified under 6907; if they are specifically named building bricks (such as 690410), they are classified there first.
Confused Codes：
690410 - Ceramic building bricks
690410 is specifically named building bricks, usually referring to ordinary building bricks; 690490 is other ceramic tiles, including unnamed floor tiles, specially shaped bricks, etc.
6907 - Ceramic facing tiles
6907 is facing tiles, such as wall tiles and mosaics, usually thinner; 690490 is building bricks, thicker, used for structure or paving.
6902 - Refractory ceramic bricks
6902 is refractory bricks, used in high-temperature environments; 690490 is ordinary ceramic tiles, not resistant to high temperatures.
690510 - Ceramic roof tiles
690510 is roof tiles, used for roof covering; 690490 is building bricks, used for floors or walls.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it refractory?
✓ Is it used for building structures?
✓ Is it a facing tile?
✓ Is it specifically named?
✓ Is the surface glazed?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference between HS code 690490 and 6907? 690490 is other ceramic tiles, mainly used for building structures (such as floors and wall bases), and is relatively thick; 6907 is ceramic facing tiles, used for decorative surfaces, such as wall tiles and mosaics, and is usually thinner. Classification should be judged based on use and thickness. How can it be determined whether a ceramic tile belongs to refractory bricks? Refractory bricks must meet specific refractoriness standards (such as >=1500 degrees C) and are usually used in high-temperature industrial environments. Ordinary building ceramic tiles are not resistant to high temperatures and should be classified under 6904. If the product is clearly used at high temperatures and meets refractory standards, it is classified under 6902. How should the "Material" column be filled in when declaring? The type of ceramic should be filled in specifically, such as "porcelain", "earthenware", "stoneware", etc. Porcelain has low water absorption, while earthenware has high water absorption; different materials may affect classification. Avoid writing only "ceramic". What are the differences in classification and declaration between unglazed ceramic tiles and glazed ceramic tiles? Both may be classified under 690490, but when declaring, it is necessary to clearly state whether they are glazed. Glazed tiles may involve other subheadings (such as 6908), but 690490 covers unglazed and other unnamed tiles. The glazing condition must be truthfully stated when declaring. Does the size of ceramic tiles affect classification? Size usually does not affect heading classification, but it may affect subheading classification. For example, some subheadings have provisions regarding size. Specifications and dimensions must be provided when declaring so that customs can confirm. If ceramic tiles are used for walls, are they necessarily classified under 6907? Not necessarily. If they are used for walls but as part of the building structure (such as load-bearing), they may be classified under 6904; if they are used as decorative facing, they are classified under 6907. Judgment should be based on actual use and product characteristics. What declaration elements are required for imported ceramic tiles? Product name, material, use, appearance, specifications and model, brand, whether glazed, etc. are required. For details, refer to the customs declaration elements table. Ensure the information is accurate to avoid classification errors. How can the import tax rate for ceramic tiles be queried? Tax rates may change. It is recommended to query the latest tax rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs or the China International Trade Single Window. The applicable tax rate is determined based on HS code 690490 and the country of origin.
Q: What is the difference between HS code 690490 and 6907?
A: 690490 is other ceramic tiles, mainly used for building structures (such as floors and wall bases), and is relatively thick; 6907 is ceramic facing tiles, used for decorative surfaces, such as wall tiles and mosaics, and is usually thinner. Classification should be judged based on use and thickness.
Q: How can it be determined whether a ceramic tile belongs to refractory bricks?
A: Refractory bricks must meet specific refractoriness standards (such as >=1500 degrees C) and are usually used in high-temperature industrial environments. Ordinary building ceramic tiles are not resistant to high temperatures and should be classified under 6904. If the product is clearly used at high temperatures and meets refractory standards, it is classified under 6902.
Q: How should the "Material" column be filled in when declaring?
A: The type of ceramic should be filled in specifically, such as "porcelain", "earthenware", "stoneware", etc. Porcelain has low water absorption, while earthenware has high water absorption; different materials may affect classification. Avoid writing only "ceramic".
Q: What are the differences in classification and declaration between unglazed ceramic tiles and glazed ceramic tiles?
A: Both may be classified under 690490, but when declaring, it is necessary to clearly state whether they are glazed. Glazed tiles may involve other subheadings (such as 6908), but 690490 covers unglazed and other unnamed tiles. The glazing condition must be truthfully stated when declaring.
Q: Does the size of ceramic tiles affect classification?
A: Size usually does not affect heading classification, but it may affect subheading classification. For example, some subheadings have provisions regarding size. Specifications and dimensions must be provided when declaring so that customs can confirm.
Q: If ceramic tiles are used for walls, are they necessarily classified under 6907?
A: Not necessarily. If they are used for walls but as part of the building structure (such as load-bearing), they may be classified under 6904; if they are used as decorative facing, they are classified under 6907. Judgment should be based on actual use and product characteristics.
Q: What declaration elements are required for imported ceramic tiles?
A: Product name, material, use, appearance, specifications and model, brand, whether glazed, etc. are required. For details, refer to the customs declaration elements table. Ensure the information is accurate to avoid classification errors.
Q: How can the import tax rate for ceramic tiles be queried?
A: Tax rates may change. It is recommended to query the latest tax rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs or the China International Trade Single Window. The applicable tax rate is determined based on HS code 690490 and the country of origin.
⚠️ 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.