Ceramics from South Korea — KORUS 0% Duty (2026)

USTradeStack

Effective Duty Rate

0% KORUS FTA for most ceramic products

Estimate — verify by HTS code

Compliance Risk

Low

Relative to other import corridors

Regulatory Agencies

FDA, CPSC, EPA

Primary oversight bodies

OVERVIEW

Importing Ceramic Products, Tiles & Porcelain from South Korea

Importing ceramics from South Korea into the United States carries low compliance risk, with an effective duty rate of 0% KORUS FTA for most ceramic products. A Section 232 Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) arrangement applies: steel and aluminum products within quota limits may enter at reduced or zero Section 232 duty, while above-quota imports face the full 25% surcharge.

Ceramics imported from South Korea to the United States is subject to CBP entry requirements, applicable HTS-based duty rates, and agency compliance clearances. This guide covers the complete import process for 2026.

⚠ Key Trade Intelligence — South Korea Origin

KORUS FTA provides preferential access for Korean ceramics. Significant cost advantage versus MFN-paying competitors.

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SAMPLE LANDED COST — $50,000 SHIPMENT

Estimated Landed Cost: Ceramics from South Korea

Based on a representative $50,000 CIF shipment value. Actual costs vary by HTS code, entry type, and port of entry.

Cost Component	Amount	Notes
Cargo Value (CIF)	$50,000.00	Reference shipment value
MFN Base Duty (0.0%)	$0.00	KORUS preferential / ITA zero-rate
Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464%)	$173.20	Min $31.67 / max $614.35
Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125%)	$62.50	Ocean freight only
Total Duties & Fees	$235.70	Effective rate: 0.5%
Estimated Landed Cost	$50,235.70	Cargo + all US duties/fees

⚠ Section 232 tariffs (25% steel / 10% aluminum) may apply to ceramics sub-categories with significant steel or aluminum content. Not included above — verify by specific HTS code.

✓ KORUS preferential rates reduce base duty to 0% for qualifying goods. MPF and HMF still apply on all entries.

Excludes freight, insurance, broker fees, warehousing, and AD/CVD duties. Use the Duty Calculator for a precise estimate on your specific shipment.

APPLICABLE HTS CODES

HTS Codes for Ceramics Imports

The following Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes typically apply to ceramics imports. Exact classification depends on the specific product — misclassification is one of the most common CBP compliance errors.

HTS Code	Product Description	MFN Base Duty Rate
6907	Ceramic Floor & Wall Tiles (glazed and unglazed)	0%–8.5% MFN
6911	Tableware & Kitchenware of Porcelain or China	0%–26% MFN
6912	Tableware of Other Ceramic Materials (stoneware, earthenware)	0%–28% MFN
6909	Ceramic Products for Laboratory, Chemical, or Industrial Use	0%–4.5% MFN
6914	Other Ceramic Articles (decorative, ornamental)	0%–11% MFN

MFN rates reflect base tariff. Additional duties (Section 301, Section 232, AD/CVD) may apply on top of MFN rates. Use the AI classifier to get the exact 10-digit HTS code and all applicable rates for your specific product.

DUTY STACK — SOUTH KOREA ORIGIN

Total Tariff Cost for South Korea-Origin Ceramics

Duty Layer	Rate / Status	Applies To
MFN Base Rate	Varies by HTS code	All South Korea-origin goods (baseline)
KORUS Preferential Rate	Reduced / 0% (qualifying goods)	Goods meeting KORUS rules of origin
Section 301	Not applicable	South Korea-origin goods are not subject to Section 301
Section 232 TRQ	0% within quota; 25%/10% above	Steel/aluminum within agreed quota volumes

Precise Duty Calculation

Get Your Exact Total Duty Rate

Our calculator handles all duty layers — MFN + Section 301 + Section 232 + FTA rates — for any HTS code from any origin country.

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COMPLIANCE — FDA / CPSC / EPA

US Compliance Requirements for Ceramics Imports

Regardless of origin country, ceramics imports must satisfy the following US regulatory requirements before or at the time of CBP entry filing:

FDA lead and cadmium release limits for ceramic food-contact articles (21 CFR 109.16) — extractable lead limits: 3.0 ppm (flatware), 2.0 ppm (small hollowware), 1.0 ppm (large hollowware), 0.5 ppm (cups and mugs)
CPSC ban on lead-containing paint or surface coatings on ceramic products intended for children — CPSIA total lead limits apply
California Prop 65 lead and cadmium warnings required for ceramic food-contact products exceeding California's more stringent thresholds
Country of origin marking required on all ceramic articles per 19 CFR Part 134 — must be permanent (fired, etched, or ink-stamped)

Compliance Check Tool

Run an automated compliance check for your ceramics import — identifies all applicable agency requirements, flagging issues before your shipment departs South Korea.

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REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Documentation Checklist for Ceramics from South Korea

Prepare all documents before the shipment departs South Korea. Missing or incorrect documents are the #1 cause of CBP holds and customs delays.

1

Commercial Invoice with ceramic type, glaze description, and intended use

2

Packing List (fragile goods packaging documentation)

3

Bill of Lading

4

FDA food-contact compliance certificates (lead and cadmium extraction test results from accredited lab)

5

Country of Origin Declaration

6

CPSC compliance certificate (for consumer ceramic products)

Document Generator

Generate Your Document Checklist

Get a customized document checklist based on your specific HTS code, origin country, and product category.

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ESTIMATED TIMELINE

Import Timeline — Ceramics from South Korea

25–45 days (ocean from Asia/Europe; heavy and fragile); 7–14 days (truck from Mexico)

Supplier Preparation

Allow 1–2 weeks for production documentation, certificates, and packing lists

Transit Time

18–35 days ocean from Asia/origin

CBP Clearance

1–3 days standard; 5–15 days if examination or AD/CVD review required

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs — Importing Ceramics from South Korea

What is the effective US tariff rate for importing ceramics from South Korea?

The effective US tariff rate for ceramics from South Korea is: 0% KORUS FTA for most ceramic products. KORUS FTA provides preferential access for Korean ceramics. Significant cost advantage versus MFN-paying competitors.

What compliance agencies regulate ceramics imports from South Korea?

Ceramics imports require compliance with: FDA, CPSC, EPA. Specific requirements include: FDA lead and cadmium release limits for ceramic food-contact articles (21 CFR 109.16) — extractable lead limits: 3.0 ppm (flatware), 2.0 ppm (small hollowware), 1.0 ppm (large hollowware), 0.5 ppm (cups and mugs) and CPSC ban on lead-containing paint or surface coatings on ceramic products intended for children — CPSIA total lead limits apply.

What documents are required to import ceramics from South Korea?

Required documents include: Commercial Invoice with ceramic type, glaze description, and intended use; Packing List (fragile goods packaging documentation); Bill of Lading; FDA food-contact compliance certificates (lead and cadmium extraction test results from accredited lab). Additional: Country of Origin Declaration; CPSC compliance certificate (for consumer ceramic products). Ensure all documents are prepared before the shipment departs South Korea.

How long does customs clearance take for ceramics from South Korea?

Typical timeline: 25–45 days (ocean from Asia/Europe; heavy and fragile); 7–14 days (truck from Mexico). CBP clearance typically takes 1–3 business days for compliant entries. Complex entries (AD/CVD, formal entry review, or examination) may require 5–15 additional business days.

Are there Section 301 or Section 232 tariffs on ceramics from South Korea?

No Section 301 tariffs apply to South Korea-origin goods. Section 232 applies with a TRQ arrangement — steel within quota enters at reduced/zero Section 232; above quota faces 25%.

What HTS codes and duty rates apply to ceramic product imports?

Ceramic products are classified primarily under HTS Chapters 69 (ceramic products) and 68 (stone, ceramic, glass). Porcelain and ceramic tableware (6911–6912): 3%–26% MFN — dinnerware and kitchen items often face high rates. Sanitary ceramic ware (6910): 2.5%–5.8% MFN. Ceramic tiles (6907–6908): 0%–19.9% MFN depending on type. Refractory ceramics (6902–6904): 0%–2.5% MFN. Chinese ceramics face 25% Section 301 additional duty for most HTS codes on List 3. Ceramic dinnerware and tile have historically been subject to AD/CVD investigations — verify current orders before importing.

What FDA lead and cadmium requirements apply to ceramic tableware?

FDA enforces limits on lead and cadmium migration from ceramic tableware glazes into food under 21 CFR Part 109 (unavoidable contaminants) and CPG Sec. 545.450. Limits: flatware/plates ≤3 ppm lead; cups/mugs ≤2 ppm lead; pitchers/jugs ≤0.5 ppm lead. Cadmium limits are separate and equally strict. FDA has detained ceramic dinnerware from China, Mexico, and other countries for lead-in-glaze violations. Require supplier-provided test reports from accredited laboratories demonstrating compliance with FDA leaching limits before the first import. Hand-painted decorative ceramics carry higher risk.

Are there antidumping duties on imported ceramic tile from China?

Yes. Active antidumping and countervailing duty orders on ceramic tile from China (Cases A-570-923/C-570-924) impose significant additional duties. AD rates for Chinese ceramic tile can range from approximately 33% to over 400% for non-cooperative producers. This stacks on Section 301 (25%) and MFN rates (up to 19.9%) — making Chinese ceramic tile effectively prohibitive for most US buyers. The US ceramic tile market has substantially shifted to sourcing from Italy, Spain, Turkey, Mexico, and India as a result.

What does the KORUS FTA cover and how do I claim preferential treatment?

The US-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS, effective 2012) has phased out duties on the vast majority of US-Korea trade — most goods now enter at 0%. To claim KORUS preference, have a valid origin certification from the Korean exporter (self-certification is permitted under KORUS). Goods must meet KORUS rules of origin requiring sufficient production in the US or Korea, with country-specific RVC or tariff shift rules by HTS code.

Are Korean electronics (Samsung, LG, SK Hynix) subject to any additional US tariffs?

No. South Korea is not subject to Section 301 tariffs. Section 232 TRQ applies to Korean steel and aluminum, not electronics. Korean electronics benefit from both KORUS FTA (0%) and the ITA (0% WTO multilateral rate), providing dual zero-rating. Major Korean brands have extensive US operations that further simplify compliance for distributors and importers.

How strictly does CBP enforce KORUS rules of origin for auto parts?

CBP has significantly increased KORUS auto parts origin verification, particularly for vehicles and major components. Importers should obtain detailed origin certifications from Korean suppliers including net cost calculations and production records. Korean auto parts manufacturers supplying global OEMs typically maintain robust KORUS documentation — request it proactively rather than waiting for a CBP CF-28 inquiry.

TRADE INTELLIGENCE TOOLS

Free Tools for Ceramics Importers

Run these tools before your next shipment from South Korea — all free, no account required.

🔍 AI HTS Classifier

Get the exact 10-digit HTS code for your ceramics. Identifies Section 301/232 exposure.

🧮 Landed Cost Calculator

Calculate total duty including MFN + Section 301 + Section 232 for South Korea-origin goods.

🛡️ Supplier Screening

Screen your South Korea supplier against OFAC, BIS Entity List, and denied parties databases.

✅ Compliance Check

Verify FDA/CPSC/EPA requirements and identify documentation gaps before shipment.

📊 Trade Research Hub

Deep-dive on tariff policy changes, Federal Register notices, and regulatory updates for South Korea.

🔔 Tariff Alerts

Get notified when duty rates or compliance requirements change for your product corridors.

Ready to Calculate Your Exact Import Costs?

Get precise duty calculations, landed cost estimates, and compliance flags for your ceramics shipment from South Korea.

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View full South Korea tariff profile → Browse all import guides → Calculate landed cost →

Import duty rates are sourced from the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule and USTR Section 301 lists. Rates reflect current published schedules as of 2026-05-16 and are subject to change. This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or customs brokerage advice. Verify rates with a licensed customs broker before importing.

How to Import Ceramics from South Korea to the US