HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8531.20 – Signalling apparatus; electric, sound or visual, indicator panels incorporating liquid crystal devices (LCD) or light-emitting diodes (LED), excluding those of heading no. 8512 or 8530
HS code 8531.20 is the 6-digit subheading for signalling apparatus, electric, sound or visual, indicator panels incorporating liquid crystal devices (LCD) or light-emitting diodes (LED), excluding those of heading no. 8512 or 8530. It is used for digital signage displays, LED video walls, LCD information kiosks, passenger information displays (e.g., airport gates, bus stops) and industrial control panel displays.
What HS 8531.20 covers
This HS code covers electric sound or visual signalling apparatus in the form of indicator panels incorporating liquid crystal devices (LCD) or light-emitting diodes (LED), excluding those for vehicles (8512) or large-scale traffic control (8530). These panels are ubiquitous in modern commercial, industrial, and public information systems, serving to display dynamic information. International trade is fueled by the demand for clear, dynamic visual communication in various settings, from retail displays to public transport information boards and industrial control interfaces. Key players include display manufacturers, system integrators, and electronics component suppliers. Importers are typically businesses, public institutions, and system integrators. Exporters are often leading display technology companies. The market emphasizes energy efficiency, display resolution, durability, and connectivity, with significant innovation in smart display technologies, interactive interfaces, and outdoor visibility, driving substantial global trade.
- Covers
- Digital signage displays
- LED video walls
- LCD information kiosks
- Passenger information displays (e.g., airport gates, bus stops)
- Industrial control panel displays
- Scoreboards
- Electronic price tags
- Queue management displays
- Examples
- Samsung The Wall
- LG commercial displays
- Daktronics scoreboards
- Barco LED displays
- various industrial HMI (Human-Machine Interface) panels
- E Ink electronic shelf labels
- Planar LED displays
Codes often confused with 8531.20
Common mistake. Can be confused with 852859 (other monitors) or 852869 (projectors) if the primary function is not 'signaling' or 'indicating' but rather general display. The key is their function as 'indicator panels'.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 853120, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 853120 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% 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 China $1.4B 24% of world exports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$744M 13% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 United States $588M 10% of world exports
World total: $5.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.0B 18% of world imports
- 2 Germany $448M 8.0% of world imports
- 3 Thailand $374M 6.7% of world imports
World total: $5.6B 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 code for 8531.20
Brazil does not split HS 8531.20: its NCM code is 8531.20.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 85.31 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8531.20
What is HS code 853120?
HS code 853120 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Signalling apparatus; electric, sound or visual, indicator panels incorporating liquid crystal devices (LCD) or light-emitting diodes (LED), excluding those of heading no. 8512 or 8530. This HS code covers electric sound or visual signalling apparatus in the form of indicator panels incorporating liquid crystal devices (LCD) or light-emitting diodes (LED), excluding those for vehicles (8512) or large-scale traffic control (8530). These panels are ubiquitous in modern commercial, industrial, and public information systems, serving to display dynamic information. International trade is fueled by the demand for clear, dynamic visual communication in various settings, from retail displays to public transport information boards and industrial control interfaces. Key players include display manufacturers, system integrators, and electronics component suppliers. Importers are typically businesses, public institutions, and system integrators. Exporters are often leading display technology companies. The market emphasizes energy efficiency, display resolution, durability, and connectivity, with significant innovation in smart display technologies, interactive interfaces, and outdoor visibility, driving substantial global trade.
What products fall under HS code 853120?
Digital signage displays, LED video walls, LCD information kiosks, passenger information displays (e.g., airport gates, bus stops), industrial control panel displays, scoreboards, electronic price tags, queue management displays
What are common misclassifications for HS code 853120?
Can be confused with 852859 (other monitors) or 852869 (projectors) if the primary function is not 'signaling' or 'indicating' but rather general display. The key is their function as 'indicator panels'.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 853120?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 853120 in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.4B, 24% of world exports), Vietnam (about $744M) and the United States ($588M). World exports came to about $5.8B, 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 853120?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 853120 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.0B, 18% of world imports), Germany ($448M) and Thailand ($374M). World imports came to about $5.6B, 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.
How is HS code 853120 structured?
HS code 853120 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (85) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (31) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 853120?
In Brazil, HS code 853120 is NCM 8531.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.