HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8540.89 – Valves and tubes; n.e.c. in heading no. 8540
HS code 8540.89 is the 6-digit subheading for valves and tubes, n.e.c. in heading no. 8540. It is used for thyratrons, ignitrons, magnetrons (non-microwave oven), klystrons (non-microwave oven) and traveling wave tubes (TWTs) (non-microwave oven).
What HS 8540.89 covers
This 'not elsewhere specified' category within heading 8540 covers various specialized electronic valves and tubes that do not fit into more specific subheadings like cathode-ray tubes or microwave oven magnetrons. This can include vacuum tubes for industrial applications, scientific instruments, high-power radio frequency transmitters, or even niche audio equipment. Trade in these items is often specialized, catering to industrial manufacturers, research institutions, and specific vintage electronics markets. Exporters are typically countries with advanced manufacturing capabilities in electronics and specialized components, such as Japan, Germany, and the USA. Importers are often businesses requiring replacement parts for legacy systems or components for new, highly specialized equipment. Key trade considerations include specific technical specifications, reliability, and compliance with industrial standards, reflecting a niche but critical segment of the electronics trade.
- Covers
- Thyratrons
- Ignitrons
- Magnetrons (non-microwave oven)
- Klystrons (non-microwave oven)
- Traveling wave tubes (TWTs) (non-microwave oven)
- Geiger-Müller tubes
- Photomultiplier tubes
- Examples
- Hamamatsu R647P Photomultiplier Tube
- Eimac 3CX1500A7 Power Triode
- Siemens RQR 12/20 Thyratron
- L3Harris TWTs (specialized)
- Philips X-ray tubes (industrial)
Codes often confused with 8540.89
Common mistake. This is a residual category, so misclassification often occurs when a tube could fit a more specific 8540 subheading (e.g., 854071 for microwave oven magnetrons) but is incorrectly placed here. It's crucial to ensure the tube isn't a cathode-ray tube (854040) or a microwave tube for ovens (854071).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 854089, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 854089 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 15% 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 $95M 37% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $34M 13% of world exports
- 3 China $29M 12% of world exports
World total: $255M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $45M 15% of world imports
- 2 United States $40M 13% of world imports
- 3 Philippines $31M 10% of world imports
World total: $302M 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 8540.89 2
Brazil splits HS 8540.89 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8540.89.10 Transmitter power valvesVálvulas de potência para transmissores
- 8540.89.90 Other electronic valves and 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 8540.89
What is HS code 854089?
HS code 854089 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Valves and tubes; n.e.c. in heading no. 8540. This 'not elsewhere specified' category within heading 8540 covers various specialized electronic valves and tubes that do not fit into more specific subheadings like cathode-ray tubes or microwave oven magnetrons. This can include vacuum tubes for industrial applications, scientific instruments, high-power radio frequency transmitters, or even niche audio equipment. Trade in these items is often specialized, catering to industrial manufacturers, research institutions, and specific vintage electronics markets. Exporters are typically countries with advanced manufacturing capabilities in electronics and specialized components, such as Japan, Germany, and the USA. Importers are often businesses requiring replacement parts for legacy systems or components for new, highly specialized equipment. Key trade considerations include specific technical specifications, reliability, and compliance with industrial standards, reflecting a niche but critical segment of the electronics trade.
What products fall under HS code 854089?
Thyratrons, Ignitrons, Magnetrons (non-microwave oven), Klystrons (non-microwave oven), Traveling wave tubes (TWTs) (non-microwave oven), Geiger-Müller tubes, Photomultiplier tubes
What are common misclassifications for HS code 854089?
This is a residual category, so misclassification often occurs when a tube could fit a more specific 8540 subheading (e.g., 854071 for microwave oven magnetrons) but is incorrectly placed here. It's crucial to ensure the tube isn't a cathode-ray tube (854040) or a microwave tube for ovens (854071).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 854089?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 854089 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($95M, 37% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($34M) and China ($29M). World exports came to about $255M, 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 854089?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 854089 in UN Comtrade data were China ($45M, 15% of world imports), the United States ($40M) and the Philippines ($31M). World imports came to about $302M, 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 854089 structured?
HS code 854089 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 (89) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 854089?
Brazil splits HS code 854089 into 2 NCM codes: 8540.89.10 (Transmitter power valves), 8540.89.90 (Other electronic valves and tubes). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.