Three things matter most when importing silicon carbide (SiC) powder into Korea: confirming the HS classification precisely, securing a certificate of origin to apply an FTA preferential tariff, and checking chemical regulations such as K-REACH. As of June 2026, SiC is not subject to Chinese export controls and faces no Korean import restrictions (such as anti-dumping), so the regulatory barrier to import is low. The one nuance: granulated forms blended with binders and sintering aids may fall under a different classification, so an advance ruling is advisable. This guide walks through the process step by step, from pre-import preparation to customs clearance and receipt.
Disclaimer: This article is for general practical information and does not guarantee the tariff rate, classification, or legal determination for any specific transaction. Always obtain verification from a licensed customs broker before importing. Tariff rates and regulations can change over time.
Step 1: Confirm the HS Classification
SiC powder's base classification is HS 2849.20-0000 (silicon carbide), with an MFN base rate of 5.5%. The point that demands the most attention in practice is the granulated (RTP) form.
Pure SiC powder falls under 2849.20, but spray-dried granules blended with a binder and sintering aids (carbon, B4C, etc.) for press-sinter forming may be treated as a "preparation" and classified under heading 3824. Because the classification changes both the duty rate and the applicable regulations, when importing a granulated form it is safer to obtain an advance classification ruling and fix the classification beforehand. The differences among SiC powder forms (angular crushed powder, spray-dried granules, plasma-spheroidized beads) are covered in detail in SiC Powder Grades Explained.
Step 2: Tariff Rate and FTA Origin
Applying an FTA preferential rate instead of the 5.5% base rate can reduce the duty burden. For SiC of Chinese origin, consider the Korea–China FTA or APTA preferential rate.
The essential condition for a preferential rate is the certificate of origin (C/O). Under an FOB contract, the C/O issuer and cost should be specified in the contract to avoid later disputes. How to design Incoterms and origin documentation from the customs angle is best reviewed alongside the Incoterms section of Procurement Strategy Under Export Controls.
Step 3: Check Chemical Regulations Such as K-REACH
SiC (CAS 409-21-2) is an existing chemical substance under K-REACH, which means the new-substance registration route does not apply. That exemption is narrower than it first reads: two separate duties still have to be checked against your own annual volumes.
- Registration (등록) — existing substances that have been designated 등록대상기존화학물질 (registration-target existing substances) carry a registration obligation once volume passes the threshold set for that substance. Being an existing substance does not by itself settle this. Whether SiC appears on the current designated list is a determination to confirm, not to assume in either direction.
- Annual manufacture/import reporting (제조·수입량 보고) — a separate obligation tied to annual volume bands, which exists independently of whether registration is triggered.
Both Korean terms above are given so you can search the current lists directly. Because the two duties have different scopes and different thresholds, check your annual import volume against each, and have the determination reviewed by a chemical-regulation specialist or environmental consultant before the first shipment — this is the one item in an SiC import where a wrong reading creates a compliance liability rather than just a cost.
Step 4: Packaging and Shipping
SiC powder is a non-dangerous good (Non-DG), so there are no special constraints on ocean shipping. However, fine powder and granules are prone to moisture absorption, so moisture-proof packaging is important.
- Packaging: 25 kg bags with a PE liner, or bulk bags (FIBC), are standard
- Moisture protection: Seal the liner and, if needed, include a desiccant
- Shipping: Standard containers (FCL/LCL) can be used; no dangerous-goods declaration needed
Packaging unit and liner specification directly affect storage quality after receipt, so agree on them clearly with the supplier at the time of ordering.
Step 5: Incoming Quality Verification
Clearing customs and taking receipt does not mean sourcing is complete. In particular, material sold as "granules" sometimes differs from spec in actual morphology, purity, or particle size, so verifying the lot-level certificate of analysis (COA) and, where needed, double-checking through third-party testing (SGS/KTR/KICET) is recommended. The verification methodology using SEM/EDS, PSA, and XRD is detailed in Powder Quality Verification Methodology. The contract-side lines that make that verification enforceable are a production-lot COA rather than a sample COA, an FTA certificate of origin confirmed against the product-specific rule rather than assumed from the country, and a rejection clause in writing. One item on that list is not a clause to negotiate but a shipping fact to confirm: our green SiC micro powder sub-micron cuts ship in moisture-barrier packing — aluminium laminate with desiccant — while the rest belong in the contract itself.
Import Process Summary
- Confirm HS classification (advance ruling recommended for granules)
- Verify FTA preferential rate and certificate-of-origin requirements
- Check both K-REACH duties — registration and annual reporting — against annual import volume
- Agree on moisture-proof packaging and shipping terms
- Verify quality by lot after customs clearance
Frequently Asked Questions
How much duty applies to importing SiC powder?
The MFN base rate is 5.5%. For Chinese-origin material, applying the Korea–China FTA or APTA preferential rate with a certificate of origin can lower the duty. The exact rate depends on classification and origin, so customs-broker verification is needed.
Why can the granulated form be classified differently?
Pure SiC powder falls under 2849.20, but granules blended with a binder and sintering aids may be treated as a "preparation" and classified under heading 3824. Because the rate and regulations change with classification, it is safer to fix it in advance through a classification ruling when importing granules.
Is SiC subject to import restrictions or export controls?
As of June 2026, SiC is not subject to Korean import restrictions (such as anti-dumping), nor to Chinese export controls. Still, regulatory conditions can change and determinations can vary with the item specification, so re-verifying the latest status at contract time is advisable. For the related control status, see the China Export Controls Timeline.
Do we have to file under K-REACH?
Being an existing chemical substance only rules out the new-substance registration route. Two separate duties remain to be checked against your annual volume: registration (등록), which applies to existing substances designated 등록대상기존화학물질 (registration-target existing substances) above the threshold set for them, and the separate annual manufacture/import reporting obligation (제조·수입량 보고). Whether SiC is on the current registration-target list is something to confirm against the list rather than infer from its status as an existing substance. Check both against your volumes and have the determination reviewed by a chemical-regulation specialist.
References (Public Sources)
- Korea Customs Law Information Portal (CLIP), HS 2849.20 classification
- Korea–China Free Trade Agreement text and rules of origin
- Act on Registration and Evaluation of Chemical Substances (K-REACH)
The barrier here is paperwork rather than duty rate — a granulated form may not sit on the classification you assumed, and a preferential rate is worth only as much as the origin certificate behind it. Nami Tech Solutions (NTS) handles classification, certificates of origin and Incoterms as ordinary trade practice from sixteen years of it, and reads each lot's COA against the agreed specification before the material ships.
