HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8540.12 – Tubes; cathode-ray television picture tubes, including video monitor cathode-ray tubes, monochrome
HS code 8540.12 is the 6-digit subheading for tubes, cathode-ray television picture tubes, including video monitor cathode-ray tubes, monochrome. It is used for monochrome CRT television tubes, monochrome video monitor tubes, industrial monochrome CRTs, medical imaging monochrome CRTs and vintage computer monitor CRTs.
What HS 8540.12 covers
This HS code covers the international trade of monochrome cathode-ray television picture tubes and video monitor CRTs. While largely superseded by flat-panel technologies like LCD and OLED, these tubes still see niche demand in certain industrial, medical, and legacy system applications, as well as for vintage electronics restoration. Importers often include specialized electronics distributors, repair shops, and manufacturers of specific industrial equipment requiring robust, high-contrast monochrome displays. Exporters are typically countries with established legacy electronics manufacturing capabilities or those specializing in component refurbishment. Key things to know include the declining global market, the increasing difficulty in sourcing new components, and the focus on replacement parts rather than new product integration. The trade volume has significantly decreased over the past two decades, making it a more specialized and less mainstream commodity in international commerce.
- Covers
- Monochrome CRT television tubes
- Monochrome video monitor tubes
- Industrial monochrome CRTs
- Medical imaging monochrome CRTs
- Vintage computer monitor CRTs
- Oscilloscope display tubes
- Security camera monitor CRTs
- Examples
- Sony PVM-14M2MDU (medical monitor CRT)
- IBM 5151 (PC monitor CRT)
- Apple Macintosh Classic (built-in CRT)
- Tektronix Oscilloscope CRTs
- Philips M31-310GR (TV CRT)
Codes often confused with 8540.12
Common mistake. This code might be confused with 852872 (other television receivers, not incorporating a video display) or 852871 (television receivers, color, with a flat panel display), but 854012 specifically covers the tube itself, not the complete television or monitor, and is limited to monochrome CRTs.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 854012, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 854012 in UN Comtrade data was the United Kingdom, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 48% 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 United Kingdom $133K 19% of world exports
- 2 United States $98K 14% of world exports
- 3 China $78K 11% of world exports
World total: $697K Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.0M 48% of world imports
- 2 Singapore $415K 19% of world imports
- 3 Belgium $399K 19% of world imports
World total: $2.1M 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 8540.12
Brazil does not split HS 8540.12: its NCM code is 8540.12.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 85.40 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8540.12
What is HS code 854012?
HS code 854012 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Tubes; cathode-ray television picture tubes, including video monitor cathode-ray tubes, monochrome. This HS code covers the international trade of monochrome cathode-ray television picture tubes and video monitor CRTs. While largely superseded by flat-panel technologies like LCD and OLED, these tubes still see niche demand in certain industrial, medical, and legacy system applications, as well as for vintage electronics restoration. Importers often include specialized electronics distributors, repair shops, and manufacturers of specific industrial equipment requiring robust, high-contrast monochrome displays. Exporters are typically countries with established legacy electronics manufacturing capabilities or those specializing in component refurbishment. Key things to know include the declining global market, the increasing difficulty in sourcing new components, and the focus on replacement parts rather than new product integration. The trade volume has significantly decreased over the past two decades, making it a more specialized and less mainstream commodity in international commerce.
What products fall under HS code 854012?
Monochrome CRT television tubes, Monochrome video monitor tubes, Industrial monochrome CRTs, Medical imaging monochrome CRTs, Vintage computer monitor CRTs, Oscilloscope display tubes, Security camera monitor CRTs
What are common misclassifications for HS code 854012?
This code might be confused with 852872 (other television receivers, not incorporating a video display) or 852871 (television receivers, color, with a flat panel display), but 854012 specifically covers the tube itself, not the complete television or monitor, and is limited to monochrome CRTs.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 854012?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 854012 in UN Comtrade data were the United Kingdom ($133K, 19% of world exports), the United States ($98K) and China ($78K). World exports came to about $697K, 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 854012?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 854012 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.0M, 48% of world imports), Singapore ($415K) and Belgium ($399K). World imports came to about $2.1M, 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 854012 structured?
HS code 854012 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (85) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (40) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (12) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 854012?
In Brazil, HS code 854012 is NCM 8540.12.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.