U.S. imports of Ceramic Goods of Siliceous Fossil Meals or Similar Siliceous Earths (SITC 66231) totaled $218K in August 2026, imported from 19 countries.
Importers of Ceramic Goods of Siliceous Fossil Meals or Similar Siliceous Earths paid $32K in duties in August 2026, an average duty rate of 14.61% — duty actually collected as a share of the imports that cleared customs, not the published tariff schedule. Ceramic Goods of Siliceous Fossil Meals or Similar Siliceous Earths imports of $218K in August 2026 ran 26% below the year-to-date monthly average of $294K.
Last updated: August 2026 dataBricks, blocks, tiles, and other ceramic articles manufactured from diatomite (diatomaceous earth), kieselguhr, tripolite, or similar siliceous fossil meals are classified here — a specialized refractory and filtration-industry heading distinct from conventional clay-based ceramics. These high-porosity, low-density ceramic goods are prized for thermal insulation in kilns and furnaces, as well as for filtration media in food processing, brewing, and water treatment. The raw material — siliceous fossil meal rather than clay or kaolin — is the defining classification criterion, and importers should obtain mineralogical or compositional analysis from the supplier to support the classification. Products in this heading are industrial commodities and do not require food or agricultural agency admissibility review.
AI-written summary of the official U.S. Census Bureau trade figures on this page — verify before relying on it.
11 import shipments a month
Conventional refractory bricks are made from high-alumina clays, silica, magnesia, or similar refractory minerals and fall under separate ceramic or refractory headings. Siliceous fossil meal ceramics are specifically manufactured from biogenic silica — diatomite, kieselguhr, or tripolite — giving them a distinctive microporous structure. A mineralogical analysis or manufacturer's raw-material declaration is the standard way to establish this distinction at customs.
Trade-remedy applicability depends on the specific product form, origin, and the applicable 10-digit HTS tariff line. Importers sourcing these ceramic goods from China should check whether the relevant HTS line falls within the scope of Section 301 tariffs, as coverage of industrial ceramic products from China is broad but product-specific. Consulting a licensed customs broker before the first shipment is advisable.
Basic heading 66231 · $218K of $27.0B
ImportsExports
Imports
$218KYoY · free account
Exports
$257KYoY · free account
12-mo low · imports
Low · free accountOver the twelve months to August 2026, the U.S. imported $3.5M of Ceramic Goods of Siliceous Fossil Meals or Similar Siliceous Earths and exported $3.5M.
Fewer than 6 of the last 12 months reported trade, or the latest month was under $500K; the trend chart is not shown for thin series.
Through August 2026. Source: U.S. Census Bureau.
Imports · August 2026
origin
China and United Kingdom together supply 82% of it. China pays 26.2% duty; Egypt 0.0%.
customs district
Census does not publish district detail for this classification system.
destination
Census does not publish state detail for this classification system.
entry
Census does not publish port detail for this classification system.
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