Electrode Paste for Aluminum Smelting from China

A semi-manufactured paste composed of artificial graphite, petroleum coke, and coal tar pitch, used to fabricate Söderberg electrodes in aluminum reduction cells. It falls under HTS 3801.90.0050 as a preparation based on artificial graphite in paste form for industrial electrode production. This product is specifically designed for high-temperature smelting applications.

Duty Rate — China → United States

39.9%

Rate breakdown

9903.03.0110%Except for products described in headings 9903.03.02–9903.03.11, articles the product of any country, as provided for in subdivision (aa) of U.S. note 2 to this subchapter
9903.88.0325%Except as provided in headings 9903.88.13, 9903.88.18, 9903.88.33, 9903.88.34, 9903.88.35, 9903.88.36, 9903.88.37, 9903.88.38, 9903.88.40, 9903.88.41, 9903.88.43, 9903.88.45, 9903.88.46, 9903.88.48, 9903.88.56, 9903.88.64, 9903.88.66, 9903.88.67, 9903.88.68, or 9903.88.69, articles the product of China, as provided for in U.S. note 20(e) to this subchapter and as provided for in the subheadings enumerated in U.S. note 20(f)

Import Tips

Verify graphite content exceeds 50% by weight and ensure supplier provides chemical composition certificate for CBP classification

Include safety data sheets (SDS) documenting non-hazardous status; common pitfall is misclassification as carbon electrodes under 8545

Label packages with UN number if pitch content requires it; obtain prior notice via ACE system for bulk shipments