HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8540.20 – Tubes; television camera tubes, image converters and intensifiers, other photo-cathode tubes
HS code 8540.20 is the 6-digit subheading for tubes, television camera tubes, image converters and intensifiers, other photo-cathode tubes. It is used for vidicon camera tubes, plumbicon camera tubes, image intensifier tubes, image converter tubes and photomultiplier tubes (PMTs).
What HS 8540.20 covers
This category encompasses specialized tubes crucial for converting light into electrical signals, primarily television camera tubes, image converters, and intensifiers, along with other photo-cathode tubes. These are not consumer goods but high-tech components used in professional broadcasting, scientific research, medical imaging, and military applications. Major importers include defense contractors, scientific instrument manufacturers, and specialized medical equipment producers. Exporters are typically countries with advanced optoelectronics and vacuum tube manufacturing industries. Key considerations in this trade involve stringent quality control, intellectual property rights, and often dual-use regulations due to their potential military applications. The market is highly specialized, with a focus on performance, reliability, and specific technical specifications rather than mass production.
- Covers
- Vidicon camera tubes
- Plumbicon camera tubes
- Image intensifier tubes
- Image converter tubes
- Photomultiplier tubes (PMTs)
- Streak camera tubes
- X-ray image intensifiers
- Night vision tubes
- Examples
- Hamamatsu R6095 (PMT)
- Philips X-ray Image Intensifier
- Sony Trinicon (camera tube)
- RCA Vidicon (camera tube)
- ITT Night Vision Image Intensifier
Codes often confused with 8540.20
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 852580 (television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders) because 854020 covers the internal tube component of a camera or imaging system, not the complete device. It also differs from 900211 (lenses for cameras) which are optical components.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 854020, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 854020 in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Greece, with 36% 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 Netherlands $220M 28% of world exports
- 2 France $170M 22% of world exports
- 3 United States $138M 18% of world exports
World total: $775M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Greece $202M 36% of world imports
- 2 United States $56M 9.9% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $26M 4.7% of world imports
World total: $561M 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 codes for 8540.20 4
Brazil splits HS 8540.20 into 4 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8540.20.1 Television camera tubesTubos para câmeras de televisão Group
- 8540.20.11 Monochrome television camera tubesA preto e branco ou outros monocromos
- 8540.20.19 Other television camera tubesOutros
- 8540.20.20 X-ray image converter and intensifier tubesTubos conversores ou intensificadores de imagens, de raios X
- 8540.20.90 Other image converters and photo-cathode tubesOutros
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 8540.20
What is HS code 854020?
HS code 854020 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Tubes; television camera tubes, image converters and intensifiers, other photo-cathode tubes. This category encompasses specialized tubes crucial for converting light into electrical signals, primarily television camera tubes, image converters, and intensifiers, along with other photo-cathode tubes. These are not consumer goods but high-tech components used in professional broadcasting, scientific research, medical imaging, and military applications. Major importers include defense contractors, scientific instrument manufacturers, and specialized medical equipment producers. Exporters are typically countries with advanced optoelectronics and vacuum tube manufacturing industries. Key considerations in this trade involve stringent quality control, intellectual property rights, and often dual-use regulations due to their potential military applications. The market is highly specialized, with a focus on performance, reliability, and specific technical specifications rather than mass production.
What products fall under HS code 854020?
Vidicon camera tubes, Plumbicon camera tubes, Image intensifier tubes, Image converter tubes, Photomultiplier tubes (PMTs), Streak camera tubes, X-ray image intensifiers, Night vision tubes
What are common misclassifications for HS code 854020?
This code is distinct from 852580 (television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders) because 854020 covers the internal tube component of a camera or imaging system, not the complete device. It also differs from 900211 (lenses for cameras) which are optical components.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 854020?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 854020 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($220M, 28% of world exports), France ($170M) and the United States ($138M). World exports came to about $775M, 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 854020?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 854020 in UN Comtrade data were Greece ($202M, 36% of world imports), the United States ($56M) and the United Kingdom ($26M). World imports came to about $561M, 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 854020 structured?
HS code 854020 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 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 854020?
Brazil splits HS code 854020 into 4 NCM codes: 8540.20.11 (Monochrome television camera tubes), 8540.20.19 (Other television camera tubes), 8540.20.20 (X-ray image converter and intensifier tubes), 8540.20.90 (Other image converters and photo-cathode tubes). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.