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HSChapter 68
U.S. imports of friction material & articles (asbestos-free, except brake linings & pads) (HS 681389) totaled $1.8M in April 2026, traded with 20 countries.
Importers of Friction Material & Articles (Asbestos-Free, Except Brake Linings & Pads) paid $171K in duties in April 2026 — an effective duty rate of 13% on $1.3M in dutiable value, based on actual customs collections rather than the published tariff schedule.
Last updated: April 2026 dataClutch facings, industrial friction discs, and other unmounted friction components that contain neither asbestos nor mineral or cellulose binders — and are not brake linings or pads — are classified here. Japan leads US import supply, followed by China and the Czech Republic, a mix that reflects both precision automotive component manufacturing and broader industrial machinery supply chains. Chinese-origin goods are subject to Section 301 tariffs, while Czech Republic goods benefit from EU-standard quality certifications that are widely recognized in US industrial procurement. The heading's three 10-digit lines separate civil aircraft applications (6813890010) from general mineral-substance friction materials (6813890050) and a residual line (6813890000).
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
681389 covers friction articles other than brake linings and pads — most commonly clutch facings, friction discs, and similar components used in transmissions, industrial machinery, and power take-off systems. Brake linings and pads, regardless of composition, are classified under 681381. The functional distinction (braking vs. other friction applications) is the primary classification criterion.
Chinese-origin friction materials under this heading are subject to Section 301 tariffs, which increases landed cost relative to Japanese, Czech, or Indian sources. Importers have responded by diversifying toward Japan and Eastern European suppliers, though lead times and minimum order quantities differ significantly. A licensed customs broker can help evaluate the total duty burden by origin before committing to a supply chain.
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Monthly import values over time
| Country | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRANCE | $157K | $3.6M | +$3.4M |
| JAPAN | $795K | $1.2M | +$368K |
| KOREA, SOUTH | $10K | $1.9M | +$1.9M |
| MEXICO | $77K | $1.3M | +$1.3M |
| MALAYSIA | -- | $1.3M | +$1.3M |
HS10 import codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule.
| Code | Description | Import Value | Effective Tariff % | Duty Collected |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6813890050 | MIN SUB FRICTION MATERIAL AND ARTICLES NESOI | $1.8M | 12.76% | $171K |
| 6813890010 | BSD FRCTN MATLS FOR CIVIL ARCRFT NT CNT ASB NESOI | $19K | -- | -- |
MIN SUB FRICTION MATERIAL AND ARTICLES NESOI
BSD FRCTN MATLS FOR CIVIL ARCRFT NT CNT ASB NESOI
HS10 export codes under this HS6 parent. Source: U.S. Schedule B export classification.
| Code | Description | Export Value |
|---|---|---|
| 6813890000 | OTH FRICTION MATERL ETC NOT CONT ASBESTOS | $13.4M |
OTH FRICTION MATERL ETC NOT CONT ASBESTOS
541.6K no
OTHR ARTS NESOI OF CMNT ETC
HS 681099
MARBLE, TRAVERTINE AND ALABASTER, WORKD, NESOI
HS 680291
WORDK MONUMENTAL OR BUILDING STONE, NESOI
HS 680299
GRANITE, NESOI
HS 680293
ABRASIVES ON A BASE MATERIAL OTH THN FABRC O PAPER
HS 680530
ARTICLES OF ASPHALT OR SIMILAR MATERIALS IN ROLLS
HS 680710
| Port | Imports | Exports | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| CINCINNATI-LAWRENCEBURG, OH | -- | $2.6M | +$2.6M |
| CHICAGO, IL | $163K | $2.1M | +$1.9M |
| NEW YORK, NY | $45K | $2.1M | +$2.0M |