Ceramic wares for laboratory — HTS 6909
Ceramic wares for laboratory, chemical or other technical uses; ceramic troughs, tubs and similar receptacles of a kind used in agriculture; ceramic pots, jars and similar articles of a kind used for the conveyance or packing of goods
Chapter 69 › Heading 6909
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 6909 is a broad product category for certain ceramic articles used for technical purposes, in agriculture, or for packing and conveying goods. It groups together laboratory and chemical ware, other technical ceramic articles, agricultural troughs and tubs, and ceramic pots, jars, and similar containers used to transport or pack products. The heading is about the article’s design and intended use—not simply the fact that it is made of ceramic.
To reach the correct 8-digit HTSUS code, first identify which heading-level group fits the product, then review the more specific subheadings and statistical suffixes. Those subdivisions commonly depend on the article’s function, construction or material characteristics, and whether it is a container, agricultural receptacle, or technical item. Read the complete 8-digit description and the relevant legal notes, rather than selecting a code based only on a product name or a similar-looking item.
What to check
- Document the product’s ceramic composition, manufacturing method, dimensions, capacity, and principal intended use.
- Decide whether the item is technical or laboratory ware, an agricultural trough or tub, or a container used for conveying or packing goods.
- Check whether the product is a complete article, a part, or an accessory; similar products may classify differently.
- Compare the full wording of every candidate subheading and statistical suffix in the current HTSUS, including applicable section and chapter notes.
- Keep catalogs, drawings, photographs, specifications, and end-use information to support the classification; obtain customs-broker or ruling guidance when the wording remains ambiguous.
HTS heading 6909 summary
Ceramic wares for laboratory is a 4-digit product category containing 2 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.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 6909.11 | Of porcelain or china |
| 6909.19 | Other |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6909.12.00.00 👉 | Articles having a hardness equivalent to 9 or more on the Mohs scale | 4% | Free | 45% |
| 6909.90.00.00 👉 | Other | 4% | Free | 45% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 6909?
Ceramic wares for laboratory, chemical or other technical uses; ceramic troughs, tubs and similar receptacles of a kind used in agriculture; ceramic pots, jars and similar articles of a kind used for the conveyance or packing of goods. 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.