HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8549.31 – Electrical and electronic waste and scrap; electrical and electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards, other than those used principally for the recovery of precious metal, containing primary cells and batteries, electric accumulators, mercury-switch
HS code 8549.31 is the 6-digit subheading for electrical and electronic waste and scrap, electrical and electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards, other than those used principally for the recovery of precious metal, containing primary cells and batteries, electric accumulators, mercury-switch. It is used for used computer power supplies, discarded TV circuit boards, old appliance control panels, automotive electronic modules and industrial control boards.
What HS 8549.31 covers
This HS code specifically covers electrical and electronic waste, including assemblies and printed circuit boards (PCBs), that contain hazardous components such as batteries, accumulators, or mercury switches, but are *not* primarily intended for precious metal recovery. Instead, these materials are typically processed for the recovery of base metals (like copper, aluminum) or for the safe disposal of hazardous substances. Importers are often specialized waste management and recycling facilities equipped to handle and separate hazardous components and extract non-precious metals. Exporters are usually countries with high volumes of end-of-life electronics from industrial, commercial, and consumer sectors. Key trade considerations include stringent environmental regulations, safe transport protocols for hazardous waste, and the technological capabilities for material separation and detoxification. This trade is crucial for environmental protection and resource recovery, addressing the growing challenge of e-waste management globally.
- Covers
- Used computer power supplies
- Discarded TV circuit boards
- Old appliance control panels
- Automotive electronic modules
- Industrial control boards
- Unsorted mixed PCBs
- Electronic assemblies with attached batteries
- Mercury-switch containing devices
- Examples
- End-of-life washing machine control boards
- Discarded car infotainment systems
- Old VCR circuit boards
- Broken microwave oven electronics
- Used UPS battery packs
Codes often confused with 8549.31
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 854921 and 854929 because its primary purpose is not precious metal recovery, but rather base metal recovery or hazardous waste management, despite containing hazardous components.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 854931, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 854931 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 31% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 75% 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 $6.7M 31% of world exports
- 2 Thailand $3.2M 15% of world exports
- 3 United Kingdom $2.3M 11% of world exports
World total: $21M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Indonesia $43M 75% of world imports
- 2 Pakistan $5.1M 8.8% of world imports
- 3 Portugal $4.3M 7.4% of world imports
World total: $58M 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 8549.31
Brazil does not split HS 8549.31: its NCM code is 8549.31.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 85.49 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8549.31
What is HS code 854931?
HS code 854931 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Electrical and electronic waste and scrap; electrical and electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards, other than those used principally for the recovery of precious metal, containing primary cells and batteries, electric accumulators, mercury-switch. This HS code specifically covers electrical and electronic waste, including assemblies and printed circuit boards (PCBs), that contain hazardous components such as batteries, accumulators, or mercury switches, but are *not* primarily intended for precious metal recovery. Instead, these materials are typically processed for the recovery of base metals (like copper, aluminum) or for the safe disposal of hazardous substances. Importers are often specialized waste management and recycling facilities equipped to handle and separate hazardous components and extract non-precious metals. Exporters are usually countries with high volumes of end-of-life electronics from industrial, commercial, and consumer sectors. Key trade considerations include stringent environmental regulations, safe transport protocols for hazardous waste, and the technological capabilities for material separation and detoxification. This trade is crucial for environmental protection and resource recovery, addressing the growing challenge of e-waste management globally.
What products fall under HS code 854931?
Used computer power supplies, Discarded TV circuit boards, Old appliance control panels, Automotive electronic modules, Industrial control boards, Unsorted mixed PCBs, Electronic assemblies with attached batteries, Mercury-switch containing devices
What are common misclassifications for HS code 854931?
This code is distinct from 854921 and 854929 because its primary purpose is not precious metal recovery, but rather base metal recovery or hazardous waste management, despite containing hazardous components.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 854931?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 854931 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($6.7M, 31% of world exports), Thailand ($3.2M) and the United Kingdom ($2.3M). World exports came to about $21M, 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 854931?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 854931 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($43M, 75% of world imports), Pakistan ($5.1M) and Portugal ($4.3M). World imports came to about $58M, 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 854931 structured?
HS code 854931 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (85) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (49) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (31) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 854931?
In Brazil, HS code 854931 is NCM 8549.31.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.