HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8481.40 – Valves; safety or relief valves, for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like
HS code 8481.40 is the 6-digit subheading for valves, safety or relief valves, for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like. It is used for spring-loaded safety valves, pilot-operated relief valves, thermal relief valves, pressure safety valves (PSV) and vacuum relief valves.
What HS 8481.40 covers
Safety and relief valves are indispensable safety devices engineered to automatically release excess pressure from a system, preventing catastrophic failures, equipment damage, and potential hazards to personnel. These valves are critical in any application where pressure buildup can occur, from industrial boilers and pressure vessels to pipelines and chemical reactors. Importers of these vital components include industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, power generation, marine, and manufacturing, all of which operate high-pressure systems. Exporters are typically specialized valve manufacturers known for their precision engineering and adherence to stringent safety standards. Key considerations for trade involve the valve's set pressure, flow capacity, material construction (e.g., carbon steel, stainless steel), and compliance with international safety codes (e.g., ASME, API). The global demand for safety and relief valves is consistently high due to regulatory requirements and the universal need for robust safety measures in industrial operations.
- Covers
- Spring-loaded safety valves
- Pilot-operated relief valves
- Thermal relief valves
- Pressure safety valves (PSV)
- Vacuum relief valves
- Rupture disc devices (often used with relief valves)
- Conventional safety valves
- Examples
- Emerson Crosby safety valves
- Farris Engineering relief valves
- Leser safety valves
- Kunkle safety valves
- Spirax Sarco safety valves
Codes often confused with 8481.40
Common mistake. This code is specifically for safety and relief valves, which are designed to protect against overpressure, distinguishing them from 848110 (pressure reducing valves) which maintain a lower constant pressure. It might be confused with 848180 if its specific safety function isn't clearly identified.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 848140, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 848140 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 9.9% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $874M 17% of world exports
- 2 United States $865M 17% of world exports
- 3 Switzerland $552M 11% of world exports
World total: $5.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $505M 9.9% of world imports
- 2 Germany $423M 8.3% of world imports
- 3 China $389M 7.6% of world imports
World total: $5.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM code for 8481.40
Brazil does not split HS 8481.40: its NCM code is 8481.40.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.81 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8481.40
What is HS code 848140?
HS code 848140 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Valves; safety or relief valves, for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like. Safety and relief valves are indispensable safety devices engineered to automatically release excess pressure from a system, preventing catastrophic failures, equipment damage, and potential hazards to personnel. These valves are critical in any application where pressure buildup can occur, from industrial boilers and pressure vessels to pipelines and chemical reactors. Importers of these vital components include industries such as oil and gas, petrochemicals, power generation, marine, and manufacturing, all of which operate high-pressure systems. Exporters are typically specialized valve manufacturers known for their precision engineering and adherence to stringent safety standards. Key considerations for trade involve the valve's set pressure, flow capacity, material construction (e.g., carbon steel, stainless steel), and compliance with international safety codes (e.g., ASME, API). The global demand for safety and relief valves is consistently high due to regulatory requirements and the universal need for robust safety measures in industrial operations.
What products fall under HS code 848140?
Spring-loaded safety valves, Pilot-operated relief valves, Thermal relief valves, Pressure safety valves (PSV), Vacuum relief valves, Rupture disc devices (often used with relief valves), Conventional safety valves
What are common misclassifications for HS code 848140?
This code is specifically for safety and relief valves, which are designed to protect against overpressure, distinguishing them from 848110 (pressure reducing valves) which maintain a lower constant pressure. It might be confused with 848180 if its specific safety function isn't clearly identified.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 848140?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 848140 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($874M, 17% of world exports), the United States ($865M) and Switzerland ($552M). World exports came to about $5.2B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 848140?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 848140 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($505M, 9.9% of world imports), Germany ($423M) and China ($389M). World imports came to about $5.1B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 848140 structured?
HS code 848140 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (81) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (40) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 848140?
In Brazil, HS code 848140 is NCM 8481.40.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.