HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8525.81 – Television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders; high-speed goods as specified in subheading note 1 to this chapter
HS code 8525.81 is the 6-digit subheading for television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders, high-speed goods as specified in subheading note 1 to this chapter. It is used for high-speed industrial cameras, scientific research cameras, slow-motion broadcast cameras, crash test cameras and ballistics cameras.
What HS 8525.81 covers
This HS code is dedicated to television cameras, digital cameras, and video camera recorders specifically classified as 'high-speed goods' according to subheading note 1 of this chapter. These are not your everyday cameras; they are engineered to capture events at extremely high frame rates, allowing for detailed slow-motion analysis of rapid phenomena. Such cameras are indispensable tools in scientific research (e.g., fluid dynamics, material science), industrial analysis (e.g., manufacturing defect detection, impact testing), sports broadcasting for instant replay, and defense applications. International trade involves highly specialized manufacturers exporting these precision instruments to research institutions, automotive testing facilities, advanced manufacturing plants, and professional sports broadcasters worldwide, where capturing fleeting moments with clarity is paramount.
- Covers
- High-speed industrial cameras
- Scientific research cameras
- Slow-motion broadcast cameras
- Crash test cameras
- Ballistics cameras
- Machine vision cameras (high-speed)
- Ultra-high frame rate cameras
- Examples
- Phantom Veo high-speed cameras
- Photron FASTCAM series
- Vision Research Phantom cameras
- Chronos high-speed cameras
- NAC Image Technology high-speed cameras
Codes often confused with 8525.81
Common mistake. Can be confused with general digital cameras (852589) or industrial cameras (also 852589 if not high-speed). The 'high-speed' characteristic, as defined by the subheading note, is the crucial differentiator.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 852581, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 852581 in UN Comtrade data was Malaysia, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 12% 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 Malaysia $275M 18% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $161M 10% of world exports
- 3 Singapore $125M 7.9% of world exports
World total: $1.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Saudi Arabia $194M 12% of world imports
- 2 United States $117M 7.1% of world imports
- 3 Malaysia $106M 6.4% of world imports
World total: $1.7B 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 code for 8525.81
Brazil does not split HS 8525.81: its NCM code is 8525.81.00.
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 8525.81
What is HS code 852581?
HS code 852581 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders; high-speed goods as specified in subheading note 1 to this chapter. This HS code is dedicated to television cameras, digital cameras, and video camera recorders specifically classified as 'high-speed goods' according to subheading note 1 of this chapter. These are not your everyday cameras; they are engineered to capture events at extremely high frame rates, allowing for detailed slow-motion analysis of rapid phenomena. Such cameras are indispensable tools in scientific research (e.g., fluid dynamics, material science), industrial analysis (e.g., manufacturing defect detection, impact testing), sports broadcasting for instant replay, and defense applications. International trade involves highly specialized manufacturers exporting these precision instruments to research institutions, automotive testing facilities, advanced manufacturing plants, and professional sports broadcasters worldwide, where capturing fleeting moments with clarity is paramount.
What products fall under HS code 852581?
High-speed industrial cameras, scientific research cameras, slow-motion broadcast cameras, crash test cameras, ballistics cameras, machine vision cameras (high-speed), ultra-high frame rate cameras
What are common misclassifications for HS code 852581?
Can be confused with general digital cameras (852589) or industrial cameras (also 852589 if not high-speed). The 'high-speed' characteristic, as defined by the subheading note, is the crucial differentiator.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 852581?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 852581 in UN Comtrade data were Malaysia ($275M, 18% of world exports), the Netherlands ($161M) and Singapore ($125M). World exports came to about $1.6B, 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 852581?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 852581 in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($194M, 12% of world imports), the United States ($117M) and Malaysia ($106M). World imports came to about $1.7B, 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 852581 structured?
HS code 852581 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 (81) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 852581?
In Brazil, HS code 852581 is NCM 8525.81.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.