HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 85.38 – Electrical apparatus; parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading no. 8535, 8536 and 8537
What HS 85.38 covers
Heading 8538 covers "Electrical apparatus; parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading no. 8535, 8536 and 8537." This broad and essential classification within Chapter 85 acts as a catch-all for parts that are specifically designed for, or primarily used with, the high-voltage apparatus of 8535, the low-voltage apparatus of 8536, and the control/distribution boards and panels of 8537. The scope includes a wide variety of components, ranging from empty electrical enclosures, cabinets, and housings to specific mechanical or insulating parts for switches, circuit breakers, relays, and contactors. Examples include contact sets, operating mechanisms, terminal covers, mounting rails (DIN rails), and front plates for switchboards. The crucial criterion for classification here is the 'solely or principally for' rule, meaning the part must be identifiable as intended for use with goods of 8535, 8536, or 8537, and not be more specifically classified elsewhere. This heading is vital for the global supply chain, supporting both the manufacturing of new electrical equipment and the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of existing installations. For trade compliance, accurate classification is critical to avoid misclassification as generic metal or plastic articles, ensuring correct duty rates and regulatory adherence. This heading completes the classification structure for electrical switching, protection, and distribution equipment within Chapter 85 by providing for all their necessary specialized parts.
- Covers
Empty electrical enclosures, empty control panel cabinets, housings for circuit breakers, covers for switches, contact sets for relays, terminals for contactors, mounting rails (DIN rails) for electrical components, front plates for switchboards, push-button caps, indicator lamp lenses, fuse links (without the fuse body), operating mechanisms for circuit breakers, insulating parts for switches, busbars (cut to length, not assembled), bases for relays, contact blocks for push-buttons, wiring ducts (for inside panels), electrical junction box covers, mechanical parts of switchgear, empty electrical distribution board boxes, switchgear doors, mounting hardware for electrical apparatus, internal wiring harnesses for control panels (pre-cut/terminated for specific apparatus), legend plates for switches.
- Examples
A Vietnamese factory imports thousands of empty electrical enclosures from China via sea freight to assemble custom control panels destined for European markets, leveraging cost-effective manufacturing. A US company exports specialized contact sets and operating mechanisms to a Brazilian manufacturer for the repair and maintenance of high-voltage circuit breakers in power plants, typically shipped by air for quick delivery. A German supplier ships DIN rails, terminal block covers, and specific internal mounting hardware to a UK automation company for the assembly of industrial control cabinets, facilitating efficient cross-border supply chains.
Subheadings under 85.38 2
Codes often confused with 85.38
Common mistake. The most frequent error is misclassifying generic parts under 8538 that are not 'solely or principally' for apparatus of 8535, 8536, or 8537. For instance, generic metal boxes might fall under Chapter 73 (articles of iron or steel) if they don't have features specific to electrical enclosures. Similarly, plastic parts that are not clearly identifiable as parts for electrical apparatus might be classified under Chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). Another mistake is classifying a complete, functional apparatus (e.g., a populated control panel) here; 8538 is strictly for *parts*. The 'solely or principally' rule is paramount for correct classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 8538, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 8538 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Mexico, with 11% 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 $6.4B 14% of world exports
- 2 Germany $6.1B 13% of world exports
- 3 United States $5.1B 11% of world exports
World total: $46.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Mexico $5.1B 11% of world imports
- 2 United States $4.7B 10% of world imports
- 3 China $3.5B 7.6% of world imports
World total: $46.6B 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 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.
Questions about HS 85.38
What is HS code 8538?
HS code 8538 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Electrical apparatus; parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading no. 8535, 8536 and 8537. Heading 8538 covers "Electrical apparatus; parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading no. 8535, 8536 and 8537." This broad and essential classification within Chapter 85 acts as a catch-all for parts that are specifically designed for, or primarily used with, the high-voltage apparatus of 8535, the low-voltage apparatus of 8536, and the control/distribution boards and panels of 8537. The scope includes a wide variety of components, ranging from empty electrical enclosures, cabinets, and housings to specific mechanical or insulating parts for switches, circuit breakers, relays, and contactors. Examples include contact sets, operating mechanisms, terminal covers, mounting rails (DIN rails), and front plates for switchboards. The crucial criterion for classification here is the 'solely or principally for' rule, meaning the part must be identifiable as intended for use with goods of 8535, 8536, or 8537, and not be more specifically classified elsewhere. This heading is vital for the global supply chain, supporting both the manufacturing of new electrical equipment and the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) of existing installations. For trade compliance, accurate classification is critical to avoid misclassification as generic metal or plastic articles, ensuring correct duty rates and regulatory adherence. This heading completes the classification structure for electrical switching, protection, and distribution equipment within Chapter 85 by providing for all their necessary specialized parts.
What products fall under HS code 8538?
Empty electrical enclosures, empty control panel cabinets, housings for circuit breakers, covers for switches, contact sets for relays, terminals for contactors, mounting rails (DIN rails) for electrical components, front plates for switchboards, push-button caps, indicator lamp lenses, fuse links (without the fuse body), operating mechanisms for circuit breakers, insulating parts for switches, busbars (cut to length, not assembled), bases for relays, contact blocks for push-buttons, wiring ducts (for inside panels), electrical junction box covers, mechanical parts of switchgear, empty electrical distribution board boxes, switchgear doors, mounting hardware for electrical apparatus, internal wiring harnesses for control panels (pre-cut/terminated for specific apparatus), legend plates for switches.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 8538?
The most frequent error is misclassifying generic parts under 8538 that are not 'solely or principally' for apparatus of 8535, 8536, or 8537. For instance, generic metal boxes might fall under Chapter 73 (articles of iron or steel) if they don't have features specific to electrical enclosures. Similarly, plastic parts that are not clearly identifiable as parts for electrical apparatus might be classified under Chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). Another mistake is classifying a complete, functional apparatus (e.g., a populated control panel) here; 8538 is strictly for *parts*. The 'solely or principally' rule is paramount for correct classification.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 8538?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 8538 in UN Comtrade data were China ($6.4B, 14% of world exports), Germany ($6.1B) and the United States ($5.1B). World exports came to about $46.0B, 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 8538?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 8538 in UN Comtrade data were Mexico ($5.1B, 11% of world imports), the United States ($4.7B) and China ($3.5B). World imports came to about $46.6B, 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 8538 structured?
HS code 8538 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 85 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (85) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (38) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.