6812 - Fabricated asbestos fibers; mixtures with a basis of asbestos or with a basis of asbestos and magnesium carbonate; articles of such mixtures or of asbestos (for example, thread, woven fabric, clothing, headgear, footwear, gaskets), whether or not reinforced, other than goods of heading 6811 or 6813:

Heading 6812 encompasses a wide range of fabricated asbestos products and mixtures containing asbestos. This includes asbestos fibers that have been processed or manufactured into usable forms, as well as composite materials where asbestos is a primary component, often mixed with magnesium carbonate. The scope of this heading extends to finished articles manufactured from these asbestos-based mixtures or from asbestos itself. Examples of such articles include threads, woven fabrics, clothing, headgear, footwear, and gaskets, which are specifically designed for their insulating, fire-resistant, or friction-dampening properties. Notably, these articles are included whether or not they are reinforced with other materials.

It is crucial to distinguish heading 6812 from related headings within Section XIII that also deal with mineral-based articles. While this heading focuses on fabricated asbestos fibers and their direct mixtures and articles, headings such as 6811 (articles of asbestos-cement) and 6813 (friction material and articles thereof, not containing asbestos) cover distinct material compositions and product types. Heading 6811 deals with articles made from a cementitious matrix reinforced with asbestos, whereas 6813 covers friction materials like brake pads and clutch facings that, in their current classification, are specified as not containing asbestos.

Within heading 6812, further distinctions are made to refine classification based on the type of asbestos fiber or the residual nature of the product. The subcategory 6812.80 specifically addresses articles made from crocidolite, a particular type of amphibole asbestos known for its fibrous structure. The residual category, often implied as "Other," encompasses all other fabricated asbestos fibers, mixtures, and articles thereof that do not fall under the more specific crocidolite classification. This hierarchical structure allows for precise identification of the asbestos content and the form in which it is presented.