HS Code 3801Artificial graphite; colloidal or semi-colloidal graphite; preparations based on graphite or other carbon in the form of pastes, blocks, plates or other semi-manufactures

What HS code 3801 covers

Heading 3801 groups goods made of graphite or other carbon that have been made or prepared by industry. Graphite that was dug out of the ground is not the focus here. The heading is about artificial graphite, graphite in fine particles, and pastes or shaped pieces built on carbon.

Customs officers use the heading to decide how a shipment is taxed and counted. If you ship or buy these goods, the six-digit code on your invoice must match what is in the box. A wrong code can delay clearance.

You may also see this heading called HSN code 3801 or HTS code 3801. The first six digits are the same in all of these systems. Countries then add their own extra digits to split goods into finer groups.

HS code 380110, 380120, 380130 and 380190 explained

Heading 3801 splits into four subheadings. Here is what each one holds.

• 380110, Graphite; artificial: graphite that is made by industry. This is the HS code for artificial graphite.
• 380120, Graphite; colloidal or semi-colloidal: graphite in extremely small particles, held in a liquid or similar base. This is the HS code for colloidal graphite.
• 380130, Carbonaceous pastes for electrodes and furnace linings: thick carbon pastes used to make electrodes or to line furnaces. This is the HS code for electrode carbon paste.
• 380190, Graphite or other carbon based preparations in the form of pastes, blocks, plates or other semi-manufactures: the catch-all code for carbon-based goods that fit the heading but not the three codes above.

How to choose the right 3801 subheading

Start with the form of the goods. If the product is plain artificial graphite, use 380110. If the graphite is spread out in tiny particles in a liquid or paste base, look at 380120.

Next, look at the use. A carbon paste made for electrodes or for furnace linings goes to 380130. Carbon pastes made for other jobs, and graphite or carbon blocks, plates and similar semi-finished pieces, fall to 380190.

If you are still unsure, check the product sheet and the exact wording of each subheading. The HS code classifier can also help you narrow it down.

Related headings: 3801 vs 3802, 3816 and 3824

Several nearby headings sound close to 3801. Keep these differences in mind before you file.

Activated carbon is not part of 3801. It has its own heading, 3802, which also covers activated natural mineral products and animal black.

Refractory cements, mortars and concretes sit in heading 3816, and that heading says it excludes products of heading 3801. So a furnace lining paste made from carbon stays in 3801, while a refractory cement goes to 3816.

Mixed chemical products that are not named anywhere else can land in 3824, the heading for chemical preparations not elsewhere specified. Use it only when no more exact heading fits. Doped chemical elements for electronics are in 3818, which is a separate case.

Artificial graphite import and export data

Who imports artificial graphite, and who sells it? Customs records can answer that for heading 3801 and each code under it.

EximDataX shows shipment-level import and export records from official customs sources. Coverage: 43 direct customs feeds plus 184 mirror-derived countries. Named buyers and named suppliers are available in 38 of the 43 direct markets. Most markets refresh weekly and some refresh daily. You can search by HS code to see who imports and exports a product, and book a free demo.