Unglazed Ceramic Flags, Paving & Wall Tiles; Mosaic Cubes

The presence or absence of a fused glaze coating on the tile surface is the controlling distinction. Unglazed tiles have no applied vitreous coating — their surface is the ceramic body itself, which may be polished or textured but not glazed. CBP may request manufacturer specifications or laboratory analysis if the surface finish is ambiguous, particularly for highly polished porcelain tiles that can visually resemble glazed products.

Unglazed ceramic mosaic cubes and similar small-format pieces are classified within the same heading as larger unglazed flags and paving tiles, but the specific subheading may differ based on size thresholds defined in the tariff schedule. Importers should verify the maximum face dimension of mosaic pieces against the applicable subheading criteria, as small-format mosaics mounted on backing sheets may also raise questions about whether the mounted assembly or the individual tile is the article being classified.