6909.12.00.00 - Articles having a hardness equivalent to 9 or more on the Mohs scale

HTS code 6909.12.00.00 specifically classifies ceramic wares designed for laboratory, chemical, or other technical applications that possess a significant hardness. The defining characteristic for inclusion in this category is the material's hardness, specifically when it registers 9 or more on the Mohs scale. This criterion ensures that only exceptionally hard ceramic articles, capable of withstanding demanding technical environments, are classified here.

This classification is a subdivision of "Ceramic wares for laboratory, chemical or other technical uses," which itself falls under the broader heading for ceramic products. It is distinguished from its siblings, 6909.11 (Of porcelain or china) and 6909.19 (Other), by its explicit focus on hardness rather than specific ceramic material composition like porcelain. While porcelain articles may also be very hard, this code prioritizes the Mohs hardness rating as the primary classification determinant.

As a leaf node in the HTS structure, 6909.12.00.00 does not have further subcategories. Therefore, classification within this code relies solely on meeting the stated hardness threshold. Examples of goods that would fall under this classification include crucibles, grinding media, wear-resistant components for machinery, or specialized laboratory equipment components where extreme hardness is a critical functional requirement, provided they are made from ceramic materials exhibiting a Mohs hardness of 9 or greater.