Product classification
HS code for Blank Blu-ray disc: 8523.41
Optical media, unrecorded, excluding products of Chapter 37.
Classification of blank Blu-ray disc under HS 8523.41
Blank Blu-ray discs are classified under HS code 8523.41, which specifically covers optical media that are unrecorded. The Harmonized System organizes media based on the technology used for reading or recording data. Heading 8523 includes magnetic media, semiconductor media, and optical media. Subheading 8523.41 is designated for optical media, such as discs, where the data is intended to be recorded by a laser beam but has not yet been written. This classification applies regardless of the storage capacity (25GB, 50GB, or 100GB) or the specific physical composition of the disc layers, as long as the primary method of data retrieval is optical. It is important to note that this code excludes products of Chapter 37, which covers photographic or cinematographic goods. The classification is driven by the physical state of the media (unrecorded) and the technology (optical), ensuring that blank storage solutions are grouped together for customs and statistical purposes. The high-density storage capability of Blu-ray technology, while technically superior to standard DVDs, does not move it out of the 8523.41 category, as the HS system prioritizes the 'unrecorded optical' nature of the product over its specific data density or laser wavelength requirements.
- Covers
- BD-R (Blu-ray Disc Recordable)
- BD-RE (Blu-ray Disc Erasable)
- Single-layer and Dual-layer blank Blu-ray discs
- BD-XL high capacity blank discs
- Mini Blu-ray discs (unrecorded)
- Also under 8523.41
- Verbatim CD-R
- Taiyo Yuden DVD-R
- Sony BD-R
- Maxell CD-RW
- TDK DVD+RW
Codes often confused with 8523.41
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is HS code 8523.49, which is used for recorded optical media. If a Blu-ray disc contains any pre-recorded data, such as a movie or software, it must be moved to 8523.49. Additionally, some importers mistakenly look at Chapter 37 (3702) for photographic film, but optical discs are strictly electronic/optical media under Chapter 85.
Top exporters and importers of HS 852341 (the code used for blank Blu-ray disc), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 852341 (the code used for blank Blu-ray disc) in UN Comtrade data was Taiwan, with about 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Thailand, with 79% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 852341, not only blank Blu-ray disc.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Taiwan* ~$100M 27% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 South Korea $64M 18% of world exports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$28M 7.6% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $363M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Thailand $1.1B 79% of world imports
- 2 Japan $50M 3.6% of world imports
- 3 United States $32M 2.3% of world imports
World total: $1.4B 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 blank Blu-ray disc
Brazil splits HS 8523.41 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8523.41.10Blank write-once optical discs
- 8523.41.90Other blank optical media
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about blank Blu-ray disc
What is the HS code for Blank Blu-ray disc?
The HS code for Blank Blu-ray disc is 852341 (Optical media; unrecorded, excluding products of Chapter 37). The HS code for a blank Blu-ray disc is 8523.41, representing unrecorded optical media.
How do I classify Blank Blu-ray disc for customs?
Blank Blu-ray disc is classified under HS code 852341 — Optical media; unrecorded, excluding products of Chapter 37. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are re-writable Blu-ray discs classified differently?
No, both BD-R (recordable) and BD-RE (re-writable) discs are classified under 8523.41 as long as they are imported in a blank, unrecorded state.
Which countries are the top exporters of blank Blu-ray disc (HS 852341)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 852341 (the code used for blank Blu-ray disc) in UN Comtrade data were Taiwan (about $100M, 27% of world exports), South Korea ($64M) and Vietnam (about $28M). World exports came to about $363M, 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 blank Blu-ray disc (HS 852341)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 852341 (the code used for blank Blu-ray disc) in UN Comtrade data were Thailand ($1.1B, 79% of world imports), Japan ($50M) and the United States ($32M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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.
Is the HS code for Blank Blu-ray disc the same in all countries?
The base HS code 852341 for Blank Blu-ray disc is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for blank Blu-ray disc in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 852341 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for blank Blu-ray disc depends on the product's details: 8523.41.10 (Blank write-once optical discs), 8523.41.90 (Other blank optical media).