HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8523.21 – Magnetic media; cards incorporating a magnetic stripe, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37
HS code 8523.21 is the 6-digit subheading for magnetic media, cards incorporating a magnetic stripe, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37. It is used for credit cards (unencoded), debit cards (unencoded), hotel key cards, access control cards and loyalty program cards.
What HS 8523.21 covers
This HS code specifically covers magnetic stripe cards, whether they are blank or pre-recorded, playing a crucial role in various sectors globally. These cards are fundamental to banking, access control, and identification systems, facilitating secure transactions and data storage. Major importers include financial institutions, security companies, and large corporations that issue employee IDs or loyalty cards, often located in developed economies with robust digital infrastructures. Exporters are typically specialized manufacturers of card technologies, often found in East Asia and Europe. Key aspects of trade involve the security features embedded in these cards, compliance with international standards (e.g., ISO/IEC 7811), and the increasing competition from chip-based and contactless payment solutions. Despite newer technologies, magnetic stripe cards remain widely used due to their cost-effectiveness and established infrastructure.
- Covers
- Credit cards (unencoded)
- Debit cards (unencoded)
- Hotel key cards
- Access control cards
- Loyalty program cards
- Gift cards (magnetic stripe)
- Employee ID cards
- Examples
- Visa credit card (blank)
- Mastercard debit card (blank)
- Hilton hotel key card
- HID access card
- Starbucks loyalty card
Codes often confused with 8523.21
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 852352 (Smart cards) which incorporate an integrated circuit, and 852329 (Other magnetic media) which covers bulk magnetic tapes or discs.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 852321, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 852321 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 36% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, with 9.5% 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 United States $84M 36% of world exports
- 2 China $34M 14% of world exports
- 3 United Kingdom $27M 12% of world exports
World total: $233M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 France $26M 9.5% of world imports
- 2 Egypt $26M 9.4% of world imports
- 3 Canada $24M 9.0% of world imports
World total: $272M 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 codes for 8523.21 2
Brazil splits HS 8523.21 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8523.21.10 Blank magnetic stripe cardsNão gravados
- 8523.21.20 Recorded magnetic stripe cardsGravados
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 85.23 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8523.21
What is HS code 852321?
HS code 852321 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Magnetic media; cards incorporating a magnetic stripe, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37. This HS code specifically covers magnetic stripe cards, whether they are blank or pre-recorded, playing a crucial role in various sectors globally. These cards are fundamental to banking, access control, and identification systems, facilitating secure transactions and data storage. Major importers include financial institutions, security companies, and large corporations that issue employee IDs or loyalty cards, often located in developed economies with robust digital infrastructures. Exporters are typically specialized manufacturers of card technologies, often found in East Asia and Europe. Key aspects of trade involve the security features embedded in these cards, compliance with international standards (e.g., ISO/IEC 7811), and the increasing competition from chip-based and contactless payment solutions. Despite newer technologies, magnetic stripe cards remain widely used due to their cost-effectiveness and established infrastructure.
What products fall under HS code 852321?
Credit cards (unencoded), Debit cards (unencoded), Hotel key cards, Access control cards, Loyalty program cards, Gift cards (magnetic stripe), Employee ID cards
What are common misclassifications for HS code 852321?
This code is distinct from 852352 (Smart cards) which incorporate an integrated circuit, and 852329 (Other magnetic media) which covers bulk magnetic tapes or discs.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 852321?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 852321 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($84M, 36% of world exports), China ($34M) and the United Kingdom ($27M). World exports came to about $233M, 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 852321?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 852321 in UN Comtrade data were France ($26M, 9.5% of world imports), Egypt ($26M) and Canada ($24M). World imports came to about $272M, 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 852321 structured?
HS code 852321 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (85) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (23) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 852321?
Brazil splits HS code 852321 into 2 NCM codes: 8523.21.10 (Blank magnetic stripe cards), 8523.21.20 (Recorded magnetic stripe cards). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.