HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8540.60 – Tubes; cathode ray, n.e.c. in heading no. 8540
HS code 8540.60 is the 6-digit subheading for tubes, cathode ray, n.e.c. in heading no. 8540. It is used for oscilloscope CRTs, radar display tubes, electron beam lithography tubes, flying spot scanner tubes and storage tubes.
What HS 8540.60 covers
This "not elsewhere specified" (n.e.c.) category within heading 8540 covers various cathode-ray tubes that don't fit into the more specific classifications like television picture tubes or data display tubes. This includes specialized CRTs used in scientific instruments, oscilloscopes, radar displays, and other industrial or military applications where a unique form factor or specific performance characteristic is required. Importers are typically manufacturers of specialized equipment, research institutions, and defense contractors. Exporters are often countries with advanced electronics manufacturing and precision engineering capabilities. Key aspects of this trade involve highly customized orders, strict technical specifications, and often low-volume, high-value transactions. The market is driven by specific industrial and scientific needs rather than mass consumer demand, making it a niche but critical component trade.
- Covers
- Oscilloscope CRTs
- Radar display tubes
- Electron beam lithography tubes
- Flying spot scanner tubes
- Storage tubes
- Character display tubes
- Special purpose industrial CRTs
- Medical imaging CRTs (specialized)
- Examples
- Tektronix Oscilloscope CRT
- Raytheon Radar Display Tube
- Philips Storage Tube
- Hewlett-Packard Oscilloscope CRT
- Siemens Medical Imaging CRT
Codes often confused with 8540.60
Common mistake. This code is a residual category, so it's important to ensure the CRT doesn't fit into 854012, 854020, or 854040 first. It might be confused with 903033 (oscilloscopes and oscillographs, digital) but 854060 is only the tube, not the complete instrument.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 854060, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 854060 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 20% 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 States $4.1M 33% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $3.8M 30% of world exports
- 3 Germany $2.0M 17% of world exports
World total: $12M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $2.3M 20% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $1.4M 12% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $1.0M 9.0% of world imports
World total: $11M 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 8540.60 2
Brazil splits HS 8540.60 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8540.60.10 Colour data display tubes, 0.4 mm pitch or moreTubos de visualização de dados gráficos, em cores, com uma tela de espaçamento entre os pontos igual ou superior a 0,4 mm
- 8540.60.90 Other cathode-ray 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 8540.60
What is HS code 854060?
HS code 854060 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Tubes; cathode ray, n.e.c. in heading no. 8540. This "not elsewhere specified" (n.e.c.) category within heading 8540 covers various cathode-ray tubes that don't fit into the more specific classifications like television picture tubes or data display tubes. This includes specialized CRTs used in scientific instruments, oscilloscopes, radar displays, and other industrial or military applications where a unique form factor or specific performance characteristic is required. Importers are typically manufacturers of specialized equipment, research institutions, and defense contractors. Exporters are often countries with advanced electronics manufacturing and precision engineering capabilities. Key aspects of this trade involve highly customized orders, strict technical specifications, and often low-volume, high-value transactions. The market is driven by specific industrial and scientific needs rather than mass consumer demand, making it a niche but critical component trade.
What products fall under HS code 854060?
Oscilloscope CRTs, Radar display tubes, Electron beam lithography tubes, Flying spot scanner tubes, Storage tubes, Character display tubes, Special purpose industrial CRTs, Medical imaging CRTs (specialized)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 854060?
This code is a residual category, so it's important to ensure the CRT doesn't fit into 854012, 854020, or 854040 first. It might be confused with 903033 (oscilloscopes and oscillographs, digital) but 854060 is only the tube, not the complete instrument.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 854060?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 854060 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($4.1M, 33% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($3.8M) and Germany ($2.0M). World exports came to about $12M, 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 854060?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 854060 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($2.3M, 20% of world imports), the Netherlands ($1.4M) and the United Kingdom ($1.0M). World imports came to about $11M, 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 854060 structured?
HS code 854060 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 (60) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 854060?
Brazil splits HS code 854060 into 2 NCM codes: 8540.60.10 (Colour data display tubes, 0.4 mm pitch or more), 8540.60.90 (Other cathode-ray tubes). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.