Friction material and articles thereof — HTS 6813
Friction material and articles thereof (for example, sheets, rolls, strips, segments, discs, washers, pads), not mounted, for brakes, for clutches or the like, with a basis of asbestos, of other mineral substances or of cellulose, whether or not combined with textile or other materials
Chapter 68 › Heading 6813
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 6813 groups unmounted friction materials and parts used for braking, clutching, or similar friction applications. Examples include sheets, rolls, strips, segments, discs, washers, and pads. The material base is generally asbestos, other mineral substances, or cellulose, and the product may also contain textile or other reinforcing materials.
This is a 4-digit heading, so it is only the starting category—not the final classification. To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, read the subheadings and statistical provisions under 6813. The deciding details commonly include the product’s principal friction-material basis, its form or type, and whether it is unmounted. A product already mounted or assembled into a brake or clutch component may belong elsewhere, so classification can require careful review or customs-broker advice.
What to check
- Confirm that the article is friction material for brakes, clutches, or a similar use, rather than a complete assembled component.
- Verify that it is not mounted; check whether it is attached to a backing plate, shoe, carrier, or other support.
- Identify the material basis and composition from the bill of materials, technical datasheet, and manufacturing specifications.
- Match the product’s physical form—such as sheet, roll, strip, segment, disc, washer, or pad—to the wording of the available subheadings.
- Read the complete HTSUS subheading notes and statistical suffix descriptions, and obtain a binding ruling or broker review if the material or assembly status is unclear.
HTS heading 6813 summary
Friction material and articles thereof is a 4-digit product category containing 1 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6813.20.00 👉 | Containing asbestos | Free | — | 25% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 6813?
Friction material and articles thereof (for example, sheets, rolls, strips, segments, discs, washers, pads), not mounted, for brakes, for clutches or the like, with a basis of asbestos, of other mineral substances or of cellulose, whether or not combined with textile or other materials. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.