HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8541.42 – Electrical apparatus; photosensitive semiconductor devices, photovoltaic cells not assembled in modules or made up into panels
HS code 8541.42 is the 6-digit subheading for electrical apparatus, photosensitive semiconductor devices, photovoltaic cells not assembled in modules or made up into panels. It is used for monocrystalline silicon solar cells, polycrystalline silicon solar cells, thin-film solar cells, PERC solar cells and N-type solar cells.
What HS 8541.42 covers
This category covers individual photovoltaic cells, commonly known as solar cells, in their unassembled form. These are the fundamental semiconductor devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity, serving as the core building blocks for solar panels. International trade in these cells is a critical component of the global solar energy supply chain, with specialized manufacturers producing cells for assembly into modules and panels in other countries. Importers are typically solar panel manufacturers, research institutions, or companies involved in renewable energy system integration. The trade volume is heavily influenced by global energy policies, environmental initiatives, and the economic viability of solar power generation, driving significant cross-border movement of these high-tech components.
- Covers
- Monocrystalline silicon solar cells
- Polycrystalline silicon solar cells
- Thin-film solar cells
- PERC solar cells
- N-type solar cells
- P-type solar cells
- Bifacial solar cells
- Examples
- Trina Solar Vertex cells
- Jinko Solar Tiger Neo cells
- LONGi Hi-MO cells
- Canadian Solar CS cells
- Hanwha Q CELLS Q.ANTUM cells
Codes often confused with 8541.42
Common mistake. This code is crucial for distinguishing raw solar cells from assembled solar modules or panels (854143), and from other photosensitive devices like photodiodes (854149).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 854142, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 854142 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 44% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 31% 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 $4.5B 44% of world exports
- 2 Indonesia $1.7B 17% of world exports
- 3 Laos* ~$982M 9.6% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $10.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $2.7B 31% of world imports
- 2 United States $2.5B 29% of world imports
- 3 Singapore $629M 7.3% of world imports
World total: $8.6B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 8541.42 3
Brazil splits HS 8541.42 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8541.42.10 Organic solar cells, not in modulesCélulas solares orgânicas
- 8541.42.20 Other solar cells, not in modules or panelsOutras células solares
- 8541.42.90 Other photovoltaic cells, not in modulesOutras
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 85.41 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8541.42
What is HS code 854142?
HS code 854142 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Electrical apparatus; photosensitive semiconductor devices, photovoltaic cells not assembled in modules or made up into panels. This category covers individual photovoltaic cells, commonly known as solar cells, in their unassembled form. These are the fundamental semiconductor devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity, serving as the core building blocks for solar panels. International trade in these cells is a critical component of the global solar energy supply chain, with specialized manufacturers producing cells for assembly into modules and panels in other countries. Importers are typically solar panel manufacturers, research institutions, or companies involved in renewable energy system integration. The trade volume is heavily influenced by global energy policies, environmental initiatives, and the economic viability of solar power generation, driving significant cross-border movement of these high-tech components.
What products fall under HS code 854142?
Monocrystalline silicon solar cells, Polycrystalline silicon solar cells, Thin-film solar cells, PERC solar cells, N-type solar cells, P-type solar cells, Bifacial solar cells
What are common misclassifications for HS code 854142?
This code is crucial for distinguishing raw solar cells from assembled solar modules or panels (854143), and from other photosensitive devices like photodiodes (854149).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 854142?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 854142 in UN Comtrade data were China ($4.5B, 44% of world exports), Indonesia ($1.7B) and Laos (about $982M). World exports came to about $10.2B, 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 854142?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 854142 in UN Comtrade data were India ($2.7B, 31% of world imports), the United States ($2.5B) and Singapore ($629M). World imports came to about $8.6B, 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 854142 structured?
HS code 854142 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (85) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (41) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (42) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 854142?
Brazil splits HS code 854142 into 3 NCM codes: 8541.42.10 (Organic solar cells, not in modules), 8541.42.20 (Other solar cells, not in modules or panels), 8541.42.90 (Other photovoltaic cells, not in modules). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.