HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8525.50 – Transmission apparatus for radio-broadcasting or television, whether or not incorporating sound recording or reproducing apparatus, not incorporating reception apparatus
HS code 8525.50 is the 6-digit subheading for transmission apparatus for radio-broadcasting or television, whether or not incorporating sound recording or reproducing apparatus, not incorporating reception apparatus. It is used for FM radio transmitters, TV broadcast transmitters, digital radio transmitters, satellite uplink transmitters and microwave transmission units.
What HS 8525.50 covers
This HS code encompasses transmission apparatus specifically designed for radio-broadcasting or television, which do not incorporate any reception capabilities. These are professional-grade, one-way communication devices crucial for broadcasting signals over airwaves or through satellite links. This includes powerful transmitters used by national television networks, commercial radio stations, and telecommunication providers to disseminate content to a wide audience. International trade in these goods is vital for establishing and maintaining communication infrastructure globally. Importers are typically large media corporations, government-owned broadcasting entities, or telecom companies investing in their network capabilities. Exporters are specialized manufacturers of broadcast equipment, often from technologically advanced nations, providing the backbone for modern media distribution.
- Covers
- FM radio transmitters
- TV broadcast transmitters
- Digital radio transmitters
- Satellite uplink transmitters
- Microwave transmission units
- Studio-to-transmitter links (STL) equipment
- DVB-T/T2 transmitters
- Examples
- Rohde & Schwarz TV transmitters
- GatesAir FM radio transmitters
- Nautel AM/FM transmitters
- Harris Broadcast transmitters
- Elettronika TV transmitters
Codes often confused with 8525.50
Common mistake. Often confused with 852560 (transmission apparatus incorporating reception apparatus) or 851762 (other apparatus for transmission or reception of voice, images or other data). The key is the 'transmission only' function for radio/TV broadcasting.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 852550, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 852550 in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 53% 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 Vietnam* ~$858M 42% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 United States $351M 17% of world exports
- 3 Canada $93M 4.6% of world exports
World total: $2.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.3B 53% of world imports
- 2 Canada $197M 8.2% of world imports
- 3 Italy $95M 4.0% of world imports
World total: $2.4B 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. 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 8525.50 7
Brazil splits HS 8525.50 into 7 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8525.50.1 For radio broadcastingDe radiodifusão Group
- 8525.50.11 Solid-state AM radio transmitters, over 10 kWEm AM, com modulação por código ou largura de pulso, totalmente a semicondutor e com potência de saída superior a 10 kW
- 8525.50.19 Other radio broadcast transmittersOutros
- 8525.50.2 For televisionDe televisão Group
- 8525.50.21 TV transmitters over 7 GHzDe frequência superior a 7 GHz
- 8525.50.22 UHF TV transmitters, 2.0–2.7 GHz, 10–100 WEm banda UHF, de frequência igual ou superior a 2,0 GHz, mas não superior a 2,7 GHz, com potência de saída igual ou superior a 10 W, mas não superior a 100 W
- 8525.50.23 UHF TV transmitters over 10 kWEm banda UHF, com potência de saída superior a 10 kW
- 8525.50.24 VHF TV transmitters, 20 kW or moreEm banda VHF, com potência de saída igual ou superior a 20 kW
- 8525.50.29 Other television transmittersOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 85.25 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8525.50
What is HS code 852550?
HS code 852550 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Transmission apparatus for radio-broadcasting or television, whether or not incorporating sound recording or reproducing apparatus, not incorporating reception apparatus. This HS code encompasses transmission apparatus specifically designed for radio-broadcasting or television, which do not incorporate any reception capabilities. These are professional-grade, one-way communication devices crucial for broadcasting signals over airwaves or through satellite links. This includes powerful transmitters used by national television networks, commercial radio stations, and telecommunication providers to disseminate content to a wide audience. International trade in these goods is vital for establishing and maintaining communication infrastructure globally. Importers are typically large media corporations, government-owned broadcasting entities, or telecom companies investing in their network capabilities. Exporters are specialized manufacturers of broadcast equipment, often from technologically advanced nations, providing the backbone for modern media distribution.
What products fall under HS code 852550?
FM radio transmitters, TV broadcast transmitters, digital radio transmitters, satellite uplink transmitters, microwave transmission units, studio-to-transmitter links (STL) equipment, DVB-T/T2 transmitters
What are common misclassifications for HS code 852550?
Often confused with 852560 (transmission apparatus incorporating reception apparatus) or 851762 (other apparatus for transmission or reception of voice, images or other data). The key is the 'transmission only' function for radio/TV broadcasting.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 852550?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 852550 in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $858M, 42% of world exports), the United States ($351M) and Canada ($93M). World exports came to about $2.0B, 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 852550?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 852550 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.3B, 53% of world imports), Canada ($197M) and Italy ($95M). World imports came to about $2.4B, 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.
How is HS code 852550 structured?
HS code 852550 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (85) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (25) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (50) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 852550?
Brazil splits HS code 852550 into 7 NCM codes: 8525.50.11 (Solid-state AM radio transmitters, over 10 kW), 8525.50.19 (Other radio broadcast transmitters), 8525.50.21 (TV transmitters over 7 GHz), 8525.50.22 (UHF TV transmitters, 2.0–2.7 GHz, 10–100 W), 8525.50.23 (UHF TV transmitters over 10 kW), 8525.50.24 (VHF TV transmitters, 20 kW or more), 8525.50.29 (Other television transmitters). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.