HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8523.51 – Semiconductor media; solid-state non-volatile storage devices, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37
HS code 8523.51 is the 6-digit subheading for semiconductor media, solid-state non-volatile storage devices, whether or not recorded, excluding products of Chapter 37. It is used for USB flash drives, solid State Drives (SSDs), SD cards, microSD cards and compactFlash cards.
What HS 8523.51 covers
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.
- Covers
- USB flash drives
- Solid State Drives (SSDs)
- SD cards
- MicroSD cards
- CompactFlash cards
- NVMe drives
- EMMC modules
- Examples
- Samsung 970 EVO SSD
- SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0
- Kingston microSDXC card
- Crucial P5 Plus NVMe
- Western Digital My Passport SSD
Codes often confused with 8523.51
Common mistake. 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.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 852351, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 852351 in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 33% 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 South Korea $11.5B 18% of world exports
- 2 Taiwan* ~$9.1B 14% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 United States $9.1B 14% of world exports
World total: $63.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $18.2B 33% of world imports
- 2 Hong Kong $8.0B 14% of world imports
- 3 Mexico $4.8B 8.6% of world imports
World total: $55.5B 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.
Brazil NCM codes for 8523.51 2
Brazil splits HS 8523.51 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8523.51.10 Solid-state memory cardsCartões de memória (memory cards)
- 8523.51.90 Other solid-state non-volatile storage devicesOutros
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 8523.51
What is HS code 852351?
HS code 852351 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that 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.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 852351?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 852351 in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($11.5B, 18% of world exports), Taiwan (about $9.1B) and the United States ($9.1B). World exports came to about $63.5B, 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 852351?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 852351 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($18.2B, 33% of world imports), Hong Kong ($8.0B) and Mexico ($4.8B). World imports came to about $55.5B, 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 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.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 852351?
Brazil splits HS code 852351 into 2 NCM codes: 8523.51.10 (Solid-state memory cards), 8523.51.90 (Other solid-state non-volatile storage devices). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.