HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8546.90 – Electrical insulators; other than of glass and ceramics
HS code 8546.90 is the 6-digit subheading for electrical insulators, other than of glass and ceramics. It is used for composite suspension insulators, silicone rubber insulators, polymer line post insulators, epoxy resin insulators and FRP insulators.
What HS 8546.90 covers
This residual HS code covers electrical insulators made from materials other than glass or ceramics, encompassing a growing range of advanced polymer composites and other synthetic materials. These "other" insulators are increasingly popular due to their lightweight nature, superior hydrophobicity, resistance to vandalism, and excellent performance in polluted environments, often outperforming traditional materials in specific applications. They are widely used in modern power transmission lines, railway systems, and specialized industrial electrical equipment. Importers include countries seeking to upgrade their grid infrastructure with lighter, more resilient materials, or those with specific environmental challenges, such as the USA, Canada, and parts of Europe. Exporters are typically nations with advanced chemical and materials science industries, capable of producing sophisticated polymer composites, with China, Germany, and the USA being key players. Key trade considerations include the material's UV resistance, tracking and erosion resistance, mechanical strength, and long-term reliability under various climatic conditions.
- Covers
- Composite suspension insulators
- Silicone rubber insulators
- Polymer line post insulators
- Epoxy resin insulators
- FRP insulators
- Polymeric station post insulators
- Composite dead-end insulators
- Examples
- Hubbell Power Systems Polymer Insulators
- TE Connectivity Composite Insulators
- MacLean Power Systems Polymer Insulators
- Lapp Insulators Composite Line
- Preformed Line Products (PLP) Insulators
Codes often confused with 8546.90
Common mistake. This code is for insulators not made of glass (854610) or ceramics (854620); misclassification occurs if the material is not correctly identified as a polymer or composite, or if it's mistaken for an insulating fitting under 8547.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 854690, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 854690 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 24% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% 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 $442M 24% of world exports
- 2 United States $186M 9.9% of world exports
- 3 Germany $167M 8.9% of world exports
World total: $1.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $294M 14% of world imports
- 2 China $174M 8.4% of world imports
- 3 Germany $139M 6.7% of world imports
World total: $2.1B 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 code for 8546.90
Brazil does not split HS 8546.90: its NCM code is 8546.90.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 85.46 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8546.90
What is HS code 854690?
HS code 854690 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Electrical insulators; other than of glass and ceramics. This residual HS code covers electrical insulators made from materials other than glass or ceramics, encompassing a growing range of advanced polymer composites and other synthetic materials. These "other" insulators are increasingly popular due to their lightweight nature, superior hydrophobicity, resistance to vandalism, and excellent performance in polluted environments, often outperforming traditional materials in specific applications. They are widely used in modern power transmission lines, railway systems, and specialized industrial electrical equipment. Importers include countries seeking to upgrade their grid infrastructure with lighter, more resilient materials, or those with specific environmental challenges, such as the USA, Canada, and parts of Europe. Exporters are typically nations with advanced chemical and materials science industries, capable of producing sophisticated polymer composites, with China, Germany, and the USA being key players. Key trade considerations include the material's UV resistance, tracking and erosion resistance, mechanical strength, and long-term reliability under various climatic conditions.
What products fall under HS code 854690?
Composite suspension insulators, Silicone rubber insulators, Polymer line post insulators, Epoxy resin insulators, FRP insulators, Polymeric station post insulators, Composite dead-end insulators
What are common misclassifications for HS code 854690?
This code is for insulators not made of glass (854610) or ceramics (854620); misclassification occurs if the material is not correctly identified as a polymer or composite, or if it's mistaken for an insulating fitting under 8547.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 854690?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 854690 in UN Comtrade data were China ($442M, 24% of world exports), the United States ($186M) and Germany ($167M). World exports came to about $1.9B, 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 854690?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 854690 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($294M, 14% of world imports), China ($174M) and Germany ($139M). World imports came to about $2.1B, 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 854690 structured?
HS code 854690 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (85) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (46) 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 854690?
In Brazil, HS code 854690 is NCM 8546.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.