HS Code Subheading

Optical media; recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37

8523.49 Subheading
Section XVI — Machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment; parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles

About HS Code 852349

This HS code covers optical media that have been pre-recorded with data, encompassing a vast array of products from commercial music CDs and movie DVDs/Blu-rays to software installation discs and video game discs. This category is crucial for the entertainment, software, and publishing industries, facilitating the physical distribution of digital content worldwide. Major importers include retailers, distributors, and consumers in countries with large entertainment markets, while exporters are typically content publishers, media conglomerates, and disc replication plants, often located near major production hubs or consumer markets. Key aspects of trade involve intellectual property rights, anti-piracy measures, regional coding, and the logistics of mass distribution. Despite the shift towards digital streaming and downloads, recorded optical media still hold significant market share, particularly for collectors, high-fidelity audio/video enthusiasts, and regions with limited internet access.

Products Under This Code

Music CDs, Movie DVDs, Blu-ray films, PC software discs, Video game discs (e.g., PS4, Xbox One), Audiobooks on CD, Educational software DVDs

Real World Examples

"Avengers: Endgame" Blu-ray, "Adele 25" CD, Microsoft Windows 10 DVD, Sony PlayStation 5 game disc, Adobe Creative Suite DVD

Common Misclassification

This code is for *recorded* optical media and differs from 852341 (Unrecorded optical media) which are blank, and 852351 (Solid-state storage devices) which are semiconductor-based.

Products Classified Under 8523.49

Recorded CDRecorded DVDRecorded Blu-ray disc

Related Codes

8523.21 Magnetic media; cards incorporating a magnetic stripe, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37 8523.29 Magnetic media; other than cards incorporating a magnetic stripe, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37 8523.41 Optical media; unrecorded, excluding products of Chapter 37 8523.51 Semiconductor media; solid-state non-volatile storage devices, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37 8523.52 Semiconductor media; smart cards, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37 8523.59 Semiconductor media; other than smart cards, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37 8523.80 Media n.e.c. in heading 8523, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37

Industry

This code belongs to the Electronics & Electrical Equipment industry.

Trade Overview

The USA, Germany, and Japan are major importers due to their large consumer markets, while China, Mexico, and the EU are significant exporters of recorded optical media.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HS code 852349?

HS code 852349 covers: Optical media; recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37. This HS code covers optical media that have been pre-recorded with data, encompassing a vast array of products from commercial music CDs and movie DVDs/Blu-rays to software installation discs and video game discs. This category is crucial for the entertainment, software, and publishing industries, facilitating the physical distribution of digital content worldwide. Major importers include retailers, distributors, and consumers in countries with large entertainment markets, while exporters are typically content publishers, media conglomerates, and disc replication plants, often located near major production hubs or consumer markets. Key aspects of trade involve intellectual property rights, anti-piracy measures, regional coding, and the logistics of mass distribution. Despite the shift towards digital streaming and downloads, recorded optical media still hold significant market share, particularly for collectors, high-fidelity audio/video enthusiasts, and regions with limited internet access.

What products fall under HS code 852349?

Music CDs, Movie DVDs, Blu-ray films, PC software discs, Video game discs (e.g., PS4, Xbox One), Audiobooks on CD, Educational software DVDs

What are common misclassifications for HS code 852349?

This code is for *recorded* optical media and differs from 852341 (Unrecorded optical media) which are blank, and 852351 (Solid-state storage devices) which are semiconductor-based.

How is HS code 852349 structured?

HS code 852349 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 (49) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.