HS Code Subheading

Semiconductor media; solid-state non-volatile storage devices, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37

8523.51 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 852351

This HS code is a cornerstone of modern digital trade, covering solid-state non-volatile storage devices, which are essential for virtually all electronic devices today. This includes USB flash drives, SSDs (Solid State Drives), memory cards (SD, microSD), and embedded flash memory, whether blank or pre-loaded with data. These devices are critical for computers, smartphones, cameras, industrial equipment, and data centers, offering fast, durable, and compact data storage. Major importers are countries with significant electronics manufacturing, IT infrastructure, and consumer markets, such as the USA, Germany, and Japan. Exporters are predominantly nations with advanced semiconductor industries, like South Korea, Taiwan, and China. Key trade considerations include rapid technological advancements, intense competition, intellectual property protection, and the global supply chain for semiconductor components. This category represents a high-value, high-volume segment of international trade.

Products Under This Code

USB flash drives, Solid State Drives (SSDs), SD cards, MicroSD cards, CompactFlash cards, NVMe drives, eMMC modules

Real World Examples

Samsung 970 EVO SSD, SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0, Kingston microSDXC card, Crucial P5 Plus NVMe, Western Digital My Passport SSD

Common Misclassification

This code is distinct from 852352 (Smart cards) which are primarily for identification/transaction, and 852359 (Other semiconductor media) which covers other non-volatile semiconductor storage not specifically defined. It also differs from 847170 (Storage units for automatic data processing machines) if the device is a complete storage unit with its own controller and interface for a computer.

Products Classified Under 8523.51

SSDUSB flash driveMemory card

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 8523.49 Optical media; 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

South Korea, Taiwan, and China are leading exporters, while the USA, Germany, and Japan are major importers of these critical storage devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HS code 852351?

HS code 852351 covers: Semiconductor media; solid-state non-volatile storage devices, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37. This HS code is a cornerstone of modern digital trade, covering solid-state non-volatile storage devices, which are essential for virtually all electronic devices today. This includes USB flash drives, SSDs (Solid State Drives), memory cards (SD, microSD), and embedded flash memory, whether blank or pre-loaded with data. These devices are critical for computers, smartphones, cameras, industrial equipment, and data centers, offering fast, durable, and compact data storage. Major importers are countries with significant electronics manufacturing, IT infrastructure, and consumer markets, such as the USA, Germany, and Japan. Exporters are predominantly nations with advanced semiconductor industries, like South Korea, Taiwan, and China. Key trade considerations include rapid technological advancements, intense competition, intellectual property protection, and the global supply chain for semiconductor components. This category represents a high-value, high-volume segment of international trade.

What products fall under HS code 852351?

USB flash drives, Solid State Drives (SSDs), SD cards, MicroSD cards, CompactFlash cards, NVMe drives, eMMC modules

What are common misclassifications for HS code 852351?

This code is distinct from 852352 (Smart cards) which are primarily for identification/transaction, and 852359 (Other semiconductor media) which covers other non-volatile semiconductor storage not specifically defined. It also differs from 847170 (Storage units for automatic data processing machines) if the device is a complete storage unit with its own controller and interface for a computer.

How is HS code 852351 structured?

HS code 852351 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 (51) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.