HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8549.39 – Waste and scrap; electrical and electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards, other than those used principally for the recovery of precious metal n.e.c. in item no 8549.31
HS code 8549.39 is the 6-digit subheading for waste and scrap, electrical and electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards, other than those used principally for the recovery of precious metal n.e.c. in item no 8549.31. It is used for discarded computer motherboards, used graphics cards, defunct network interface cards, obsolete power supply units and non-functional smartphone PCBs.
What HS 8549.39 covers
This HS code covers waste and scrap from electrical and electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards (PCBs) that are not primarily intended for the recovery of precious metals. In international trade, these goods are primarily handled by specialized e-waste recycling companies, material recovery facilities, and electronics manufacturers looking to manage end-of-life products responsibly. The trade is driven by the need to extract base metals like copper, aluminum, and steel, as well as plastics, and to comply with environmental regulations regarding hazardous waste disposal. Key things to know include the complex sorting and dismantling processes required, the presence of potentially toxic substances, and the varying global regulations on transboundary movement of e-waste. Importers are typically countries with advanced recycling infrastructure, while exporters are often nations with high consumption of electronics.
- Covers
- Discarded computer motherboards
- Used graphics cards
- Defunct network interface cards
- Obsolete power supply units
- Non-functional smartphone PCBs
- Broken television circuit boards
- End-of-life server racks with integrated PCBs
- Examples
- WEEE scrap from computers
- circuit boards from industrial control systems
- mixed PCB waste from consumer electronics
- discarded automotive electronic modules
Codes often confused with 8549.39
Common mistake. This code is often confused with 8549.31, which specifically covers waste and scrap of electrical and electronic assemblies and PCBs used principally for the recovery of precious metals. The distinction lies in the primary economic driver for recovery.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 854939, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 854939 in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Netherlands, with 21% 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 Saudi Arabia $18M 14% of world exports
- 2 United States $18M 14% of world exports
- 3 Colombia $13M 9.8% of world exports
World total: $132M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Netherlands $11M 21% of world imports
- 2 Japan $8.7M 16% of world imports
- 3 United States $6.8M 13% of world imports
World total: $54M 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 8549.39
Brazil does not split HS 8549.39: its NCM code is 8549.39.00.
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 8549.39
What is HS code 854939?
HS code 854939 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Waste and scrap; electrical and electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards, other than those used principally for the recovery of precious metal n.e.c. in item no 8549.31. This HS code covers waste and scrap from electrical and electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards (PCBs) that are not primarily intended for the recovery of precious metals. In international trade, these goods are primarily handled by specialized e-waste recycling companies, material recovery facilities, and electronics manufacturers looking to manage end-of-life products responsibly. The trade is driven by the need to extract base metals like copper, aluminum, and steel, as well as plastics, and to comply with environmental regulations regarding hazardous waste disposal. Key things to know include the complex sorting and dismantling processes required, the presence of potentially toxic substances, and the varying global regulations on transboundary movement of e-waste. Importers are typically countries with advanced recycling infrastructure, while exporters are often nations with high consumption of electronics.
What products fall under HS code 854939?
Discarded computer motherboards, used graphics cards, defunct network interface cards, obsolete power supply units, non-functional smartphone PCBs, broken television circuit boards, end-of-life server racks with integrated PCBs
What are common misclassifications for HS code 854939?
This code is often confused with 8549.31, which specifically covers waste and scrap of electrical and electronic assemblies and PCBs used principally for the recovery of precious metals. The distinction lies in the primary economic driver for recovery.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 854939?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 854939 in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($18M, 14% of world exports), the United States ($18M) and Colombia ($13M). World exports came to about $132M, 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 854939?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 854939 in UN Comtrade data were the Netherlands ($11M, 21% of world imports), Japan ($8.7M) and the United States ($6.8M). World imports came to about $54M, 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 854939 structured?
HS code 854939 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 (39) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 854939?
In Brazil, HS code 854939 is NCM 8549.39.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.