HS code · 2-digit chapter
HS Code 85 – Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles
What HS 85 covers
HS Chapter 85 is a cornerstone of global trade, encompassing an incredibly vast array of 'Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles.' This chapter covers virtually all goods that operate by electricity, from simple components to complex industrial and consumer electronics. Its scope is defined by the electrical nature of the goods, distinguishing it from mechanical machinery primarily classified under Chapter 84. Key sub-categories include electrical motors and generators (8501), transformers and static converters (8504), batteries (8506-8507), household electrical appliances (8509, 8516), telecommunications equipment (8517), sound and video recording/reproducing apparatus (8519-8521), television cameras and digital cameras (8525), electrical capacitors and resistors (8532-8533), switches and circuit breakers (8535-8537), lamps and LEDs (8539-8541), and critically, semiconductors and integrated circuits (8542). This classification is paramount for trade compliance, directly impacting duty rates, customs valuation, and adherence to specific import/export controls (e.g., dual-use regulations for sensitive technologies) and product safety standards (e.g., RoHS, WEEE). Historically, this chapter reflects the rapid technological advancements and industrialization of the past century, with continuous updates to accommodate innovations like IoT devices, advanced AI components, and renewable energy technologies, making it one of the most dynamic and economically significant chapters in the Harmonized System.
- Covers
- Smartphones
- Laptop computers
- Tablet PCs
- LED televisions
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Solar panels
- Electric motors
- Generators
- Power transformers
- Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS)
- Digital cameras
- Video game consoles
- Wireless routers
- Integrated circuits (microprocessors)
- Solid-state drives (SSDs)
- Insulated electrical cables
- Microwave ovens
- Washing machines
- Refrigerators
- Electric toothbrushes
- Vacuum cleaners
- Medical imaging equipment (electrical parts)
- Car infotainment systems
- LED light bulbs
- Semiconductors
- Printed circuit boards (PCBs)
- Electrical switches.
- Examples
A major electronics manufacturer like Apple exports millions of iPhones (HS 8517) from assembly plants in China and Vietnam to distribution centers in the United States and Europe. This trade route is heavily scrutinized for intellectual property rights, labor practices, and compliance with various market regulations, including WEEE and RoHS directives in the EU. A German automotive supplier, Bosch, imports advanced electronic control units (ECUs) and sensor modules (HS 8543, 8542) from Japan and South Korea for integration into new vehicle models assembled in Germany. The import benefits from the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, reducing tariffs, provided strict rules of origin are met, and components comply with automotive industry standards. A Chinese company exports large quantities of photovoltaic modules (solar panels, HS 8541) to India for a national renewable energy project. This significant trade route supports India's energy transition, but the importer must navigate potential anti-dumping duties or safeguard measures that have historically been applied to solar products from certain origins, while ensuring local performance and safety certifications are obtained. A US-based data center operator imports high-performance server racks, including power supply units (HS 8504) and network switches (HS 8517), from a manufacturer in Taiwan. This trade involves critical IT infrastructure components, requiring careful classification to ensure correct duties and compliance with export control regulations if these items are subsequently re-exported to certain restricted destinations.
Headings in chapter 85 48
Codes often confused with 85
Common mistake. Common misclassification mistakes often occur when distinguishing between Chapter 85 and Chapter 84 ('Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof'). The key is the 'essential character.' For example, a washing machine is classified under 8450 (Chapter 84) because its primary function is mechanical washing, even though it's electrically powered. An electric motor, however, is purely electrical and falls under 8501 (Chapter 85). Another frequent error involves Chapter 90 ('Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof'). While many items in Chapter 90 are electrical, their specific function (e.g., medical, optical) takes precedence. For instance, a digital camera is in 8525, but a medical endoscope with a camera is in 9018. The specific wording of the headings and section/chapter notes is crucial to avoid these errors.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 85, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 85 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 15% 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 China $1.02T 23% of world exports
- 2 Taiwan* ~$473.4B 11% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Hong Kong $431.4B 9.9% of world exports
World total: $4.34T Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $627.0B 15% of world imports
- 2 United States $513.6B 12% of world imports
- 3 Hong Kong $442.5B 10% of world imports
World total: $4.24T 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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.
Questions about HS 85
What is HS code 85?
HS code 85 is a 2-digit chapter in the Harmonized System that covers: Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles. HS Chapter 85 is a cornerstone of global trade, encompassing an incredibly vast array of 'Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles.' This chapter covers virtually all goods that operate by electricity, from simple components to complex industrial and consumer electronics. Its scope is defined by the electrical nature of the goods, distinguishing it from mechanical machinery primarily classified under Chapter 84. Key sub-categories include electrical motors and generators (8501), transformers and static converters (8504), batteries (8506-8507), household electrical appliances (8509, 8516), telecommunications equipment (8517), sound and video recording/reproducing apparatus (8519-8521), television cameras and digital cameras (8525), electrical capacitors and resistors (8532-8533), switches and circuit breakers (8535-8537), lamps and LEDs (8539-8541), and critically, semiconductors and integrated circuits (8542). This classification is paramount for trade compliance, directly impacting duty rates, customs valuation, and adherence to specific import/export controls (e.g., dual-use regulations for sensitive technologies) and product safety standards (e.g., RoHS, WEEE). Historically, this chapter reflects the rapid technological advancements and industrialization of the past century, with continuous updates to accommodate innovations like IoT devices, advanced AI components, and renewable energy technologies, making it one of the most dynamic and economically significant chapters in the Harmonized System.
What products fall under HS code 85?
Smartphones, laptop computers, tablet PCs, LED televisions, lithium-ion batteries, solar panels, electric motors, generators, power transformers, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), digital cameras, video game consoles, wireless routers, integrated circuits (microprocessors), solid-state drives (SSDs), insulated electrical cables, microwave ovens, washing machines, refrigerators, electric toothbrushes, vacuum cleaners, medical imaging equipment (electrical parts), car infotainment systems, LED light bulbs, semiconductors, printed circuit boards (PCBs), electrical switches.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 85?
Common misclassification mistakes often occur when distinguishing between Chapter 85 and Chapter 84 ('Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof'). The key is the 'essential character.' For example, a washing machine is classified under 8450 (Chapter 84) because its primary function is mechanical washing, even though it's electrically powered. An electric motor, however, is purely electrical and falls under 8501 (Chapter 85). Another frequent error involves Chapter 90 ('Optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus; parts and accessories thereof'). While many items in Chapter 90 are electrical, their specific function (e.g., medical, optical) takes precedence. For instance, a digital camera is in 8525, but a medical endoscope with a camera is in 9018. The specific wording of the headings and section/chapter notes is crucial to avoid these errors.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 85?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 85 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.02T, 23% of world exports), Taiwan (about $473.4B) and Hong Kong ($431.4B). World exports came to about $4.34T, 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 85?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 85 in UN Comtrade data were China ($627.0B, 15% of world imports), the United States ($513.6B) and Hong Kong ($442.5B). World imports came to about $4.24T, 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 85 structured?
HS code 85 is a 2-digit chapter code in the Harmonized System maintained by the World Customs Organization. It represents a broad category of goods and contains multiple 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings for more specific classifications.