Reshoring Signal

Technical and refractory ceramics: Reshoring Readiness

The Reshoring Readiness Index scores technical and refractory ceramics at 25.3 of 100 (weak case): a 9.43% observed effective calculated-duty rate, import dependence 17/100, sourcing concentration 18/100. Transparent methodology, monthly USITC data. Free.

The short answer

  • Technical and refractory ceramics has an RRI of 25.3 of 100, a weak case: the observed effective calculated-duty rate is 9.43% (tariff term 35/100), U.S. exports cover 83% of imports (dependence 17/100), and the named-source concentration floor is 1770 HHI (18/100). The score is down 5.9 points over the past year.

The three terms behind the score

  • Tariff pressure 35/100 (45% weight): a 9.43% observed effective calculated-duty rate, level 31/100 with a one-year trend of 45/100.
  • Import dependence 17/100 (30% weight): U.S. exports cover about 83% of imports.
  • Sourcing concentration 18/100 (25% weight): 1770 on the complete-board Herfindahl index.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is the reshoring readiness score for technical and refractory ceramics? 25.3 of 100 as of the latest month, a weak case. The score combines tariff pressure (35/100), import dependence (17/100), and sourcing concentration (18/100) under the published RRI v2.0.0 methodology.
  • Why does technical and refractory ceramics score this way? The observed effective calculated-duty rate is 9.43% in this family, U.S. exports cover about 83% of what it imports, and its retained-source Herfindahl index is 1770. Under this screening formula, a higher observed rate, deeper import dependence, and more concentrated sourcing raise the score; they do not establish plant-level profitability.
  • Does a high score mean reshoring is profitable? No. The RRI is a screening indicator: it says the public trade data points that way, not that any specific plant pencils out. Validate with your own landed-cost, labor, and capacity numbers before deciding.

About this data

  • A transparent screening indicator built from public USITC trade data, not sourcing advice. The tariff term uses an observed effective calculated-duty rate, not an entry-specific legal rate or cash-paid amount. Concentration is matched to the month's calendar year (latest completed year for newer months); import dependence is currently a latest-year snapshot applied across the series and will deepen into a true history as export years accumulate. The named-top-sources HHI is a floor. Validate any decision with your own landed-cost and capacity numbers.

Last reviewed 2026-09-05.