Loading...
U.S. imports of ceramic articles with hardness ≥ 9 on the mohs scale (HS 690912) totaled $20.1M in July 2026, traded with 30 countries.
Importers of Ceramic Articles with Hardness ≥ 9 on the Mohs Scale paid $2.2M in duties in July 2026 — an effective duty rate of 15% on $15.3M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule. Ceramic Articles with Hardness ≥ 9 on the Mohs Scale imports of $20.1M in July 2026 ran 38% above the year-to-date monthly average of $14.6M.
Last updated: July 2026 dataCeramic articles registering 9 or higher on the Mohs hardness scale — a threshold that encompasses materials such as alumina (corundum) and silicon carbide — are classified under 6909.12 based on their exceptional wear resistance rather than their end use. Japan is the leading US supplier, followed by Poland and Mexico, reflecting specialized advanced-ceramics manufacturing capacity in those countries. The single 10-digit line 6909120000 covers all such articles for laboratory or technical use, making the hardness test result the decisive classification criterion. These ultra-hard ceramics are widely used as grinding media, wear liners, cutting tool inserts, and precision laboratory components.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
701 shipments/mo
The Mohs scale is a relative scratch-hardness test: a material rated 9 or above will scratch corundum (Mohs 9) or approach the hardness of diamond (Mohs 10). In practice, importers rely on manufacturer material certifications identifying the ceramic composition — alumina, silicon carbide, boron carbide, etc. — since these materials are well-established at Mohs ≥9. CBP may request such documentation to distinguish 6909.12 articles from lower-hardness porcelain or stoneware wares that classify under 6909.11 or 6909.19.
Potentially, yes. Grinding balls and similar abrasive articles may be classifiable under Chapter 68 (articles of stone or abrasive materials) depending on their form and use, and cutting inserts of cermets fall under Chapter 82. The Chapter 69 classification applies when the article is a ceramic ware for laboratory, chemical, or technical use and no more specific heading captures it. A binding ruling is advisable for high-value or high-volume shipments of ultra-hard ceramic components where the correct chapter is not immediately clear.
HSChapter 69
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Dutiable Share | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6909120000 | Crmc Wrs for Lab Having Hardness >= to 9 on Mohs | $20.1M | 11.12% | 76.10% | $2.2M |
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent, each with its own page. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 6909120000 | Crmc Wrs for Lab Having Hardness >= to 9 on Mohs | $8.1M |
Import lines come from the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and export lines from Schedule B. The two are numbered by different agencies, so the same 10-digit code can appear in both tables describing a different product.
Subheading 3 of 4 in heading 6909
Subheading 690912 · $20.1M of $108.6M
Supplier Network
Get discovered by U.S. importers searching for HS 690912 — Ceramic Articles with Hardness ≥ 9 on the Mohs Scale. Be the first supplier listed.
ImportsExports
Imports
$20.1MYoY · Pro
Exports
$8.1MYoY · Pro
12-mo low · imports
YoY · ProThrough July 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · July 2026
origin
Japan and Mexico together supply 61% of it.
customs district
destination
entry
rate provision · imports
23.9% enters free of duty; the effective duty rate is 11.12%.