HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8541.90 – Electrical apparatus; parts for diodes, transistors and similar semiconductor devices and photosensitive semiconductor devices
HS code 8541.90 is the 6-digit subheading for electrical apparatus, parts for diodes, transistors and similar semiconductor devices and photosensitive semiconductor devices. It is used for semiconductor wafers (unprocessed), lead frames, bonding wires, die attach materials and encapsulation compounds.
What HS 8541.90 covers
This HS code encompasses the specialized parts essential for manufacturing and assembling diodes, transistors, and other semiconductor devices, including those sensitive to light. It's a critical category for the global semiconductor supply chain, as these parts are the building blocks before final device encapsulation. Countries with significant semiconductor fabrication plants (fabs) and assembly, test, and packaging (ATP) operations are the primary importers, including Taiwan, South Korea, China, and the USA. Exporters are typically nations specializing in advanced materials, precision machining, and chemical processing, such as Japan, Germany, and the USA. Key aspects of this trade involve high-purity materials, intricate designs, and strict quality control, as the performance of the final semiconductor device heavily relies on these components. The trade volume is directly linked to the overall health and growth of the electronics industry, from consumer electronics to industrial and automotive applications.
- Covers
- Semiconductor wafers (unprocessed)
- Lead frames
- Bonding wires
- Die attach materials
- Encapsulation compounds
- Substrates for diodes
- Transistor bases
- Photoresist materials
- Examples
- K&S bonding wire
- Sumitomo Bakelite molding compounds
- Shin-Etsu silicon wafers
- Heraeus die attach paste
- ASM lead frames
Codes often confused with 8541.90
Common mistake. Can be confused with finished semiconductor devices (854110-854150) or parts of integrated circuits (854290), but 854190 is specific to parts *for* discrete semiconductor devices like diodes and transistors.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 854190, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 854190 in UN Comtrade data was Taiwan, with about 16% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 40% 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 Taiwan* ~$1.3B 16% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 Singapore $1.3B 15% of world exports
- 3 China $1.3B 15% of world exports
World total: $8.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $3.1B 40% of world imports
- 2 Malaysia $1.2B 15% of world imports
- 3 United States $833M 10% of world imports
World total: $8.0B 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 8541.90 3
Brazil splits HS 8541.90 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8541.90.10 Semiconductor lead frames in stripsSuportes-conectores apresentados em tiras (lead frames)
- 8541.90.20 Semiconductor encapsulation coversCoberturas para encapsulamento (cápsulas)
- 8541.90.90 Other parts of semiconductor devicesOutras
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 8541.90
What is HS code 854190?
HS code 854190 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Electrical apparatus; parts for diodes, transistors and similar semiconductor devices and photosensitive semiconductor devices. This HS code encompasses the specialized parts essential for manufacturing and assembling diodes, transistors, and other semiconductor devices, including those sensitive to light. It's a critical category for the global semiconductor supply chain, as these parts are the building blocks before final device encapsulation. Countries with significant semiconductor fabrication plants (fabs) and assembly, test, and packaging (ATP) operations are the primary importers, including Taiwan, South Korea, China, and the USA. Exporters are typically nations specializing in advanced materials, precision machining, and chemical processing, such as Japan, Germany, and the USA. Key aspects of this trade involve high-purity materials, intricate designs, and strict quality control, as the performance of the final semiconductor device heavily relies on these components. The trade volume is directly linked to the overall health and growth of the electronics industry, from consumer electronics to industrial and automotive applications.
What products fall under HS code 854190?
Semiconductor wafers (unprocessed), Lead frames, Bonding wires, Die attach materials, Encapsulation compounds, Substrates for diodes, Transistor bases, Photoresist materials
What are common misclassifications for HS code 854190?
Can be confused with finished semiconductor devices (854110-854150) or parts of integrated circuits (854290), but 854190 is specific to parts *for* discrete semiconductor devices like diodes and transistors.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 854190?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 854190 in UN Comtrade data were Taiwan (about $1.3B, 16% of world exports), Singapore ($1.3B) and China ($1.3B). World exports came to about $8.3B, 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 854190?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 854190 in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.1B, 40% of world imports), Malaysia ($1.2B) and the United States ($833M). World imports came to about $8.0B, 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 854190 structured?
HS code 854190 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 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 854190?
Brazil splits HS code 854190 into 3 NCM codes: 8541.90.10 (Semiconductor lead frames in strips), 8541.90.20 (Semiconductor encapsulation covers), 8541.90.90 (Other parts of semiconductor devices). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.