HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8523.49 – Optical media; recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37
HS code 8523.49 is the 6-digit subheading for optical media, recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37. It is used for music CDs, movie DVDs, blu-ray films, PC software discs and video game discs (e.g., PS4, Xbox One).
What HS 8523.49 covers
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.
- Covers
- Music CDs
- Movie DVDs
- Blu-ray films
- PC software discs
- Video game discs (e.g., PS4, Xbox One)
- Audiobooks on CD
- Educational software DVDs
- Examples
- "Avengers: Endgame" Blu-ray
- "Adele 25" CD
- Microsoft Windows 10 DVD
- Sony PlayStation 5 game disc
- Adobe Creative Suite DVD
Codes often confused with 8523.49
Common mistake. 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.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 852349, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 852349 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 11% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 26% 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 $802M 11% of world exports
- 2 Germany $757M 10% of world exports
- 3 Ireland $593M 8.0% of world exports
World total: $7.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $2.3B 26% of world imports
- 2 Germany $711M 8.1% of world imports
- 3 France $495M 5.7% of world imports
World total: $8.7B 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 8523.49 3
Brazil splits HS 8523.49 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8523.49.10 Recorded optical media, sound onlyPara reprodução apenas do som
- 8523.49.20 Recorded optical media, not sound or imagePara reprodução de fenômenos diferentes do som ou da imagem
- 8523.49.90 Other recorded optical mediaOutros
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 8523.49
What is HS code 852349?
HS code 852349 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that 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.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 852349?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 852349 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($802M, 11% of world exports), Germany ($757M) and Ireland ($593M). World exports came to about $7.4B, 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 852349?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 852349 in UN Comtrade data were China ($2.3B, 26% of world imports), Germany ($711M) and France ($495M). World imports came to about $8.7B, 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 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.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 852349?
Brazil splits HS code 852349 into 3 NCM codes: 8523.49.10 (Recorded optical media, sound only), 8523.49.20 (Recorded optical media, not sound or image), 8523.49.90 (Other recorded optical media). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.