Product classification
HS code for Blow dryer: 8516.31
Hair-dressing apparatus, electro-thermic hair dryers.
Classification of blow dryer under HS 8516.31
Blow dryers, or hair dryers, are classified under HS code 8516.31. This code is part of Chapter 85, which covers electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof. Heading 8516 is quite extensive, including electric instantaneous or storage water heaters, electric space heating apparatus, and electro-thermic hair-dressing apparatus. Subheading 8516.31 is the specific designation for electro-thermic hair dryers. The classification is based on the device's primary function: using an electric heating element and a motor-driven fan to blow air for the purpose of drying hair. This distinguishes it from other hair-dressing tools that might use heat but not forced air, or tools that use air but not heat. The "electro-thermic" designation is crucial, as it identifies the conversion of electrical energy into heat as a core component of the device's operation. Even if a blow dryer includes advanced features like ionic technology, ceramic coatings, or "cool shot" buttons that temporarily disable the heater, its primary identity remains an electro-thermic hair dryer under the 8516.31 classification. This follows GRI 1, as the product name and function perfectly match the subheading text.
- Covers
- Handheld domestic hair dryers
- Professional salon hood dryers
- Travel-sized folding blow dryers
- Wall-mounted hotel hair dryers
- Ionic blow dryers
- Ceramic hair dryers
- Also under 8516.31
- Dyson Supersonic
- GHD Helios
- BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium
- Parlux Alyon
- Revlon One-Step
Codes often confused with 8516.31
Common mistake. Blow dryers are often confused with HS code 8516.32, which covers "other" hair-dressing apparatus. Code 8516.32 is intended for curling irons, hair rollers with heating elements, and hair straighteners. Another misclassification is 8414.59, which covers general-purpose fans. While a blow dryer contains a fan, its primary purpose is hair dressing via heat, which moves it from Chapter 84 (Mechanical) to Chapter 85 (Electro-thermic). Industrial dryers are also excluded and fall under Chapter 84.
Top exporters and importers of HS 851631 (the code used for blow dryer), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 851631 (the code used for blow dryer) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 56% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 13% 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 851631, not only blow dryer.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $1.5B 56% of world exports
- 2 Germany $183M 6.8% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $151M 5.6% of world exports
World total: $2.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $369M 13% of world imports
- 2 Japan $265M 9.4% of world imports
- 3 Germany $234M 8.3% of world imports
World total: $2.8B 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 blow dryer
Brazil classifies blow dryer under NCM 8516.31.00: HS 8516.31 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about blow dryer
What is the HS code for Blow dryer?
The HS code for Blow dryer is 851631 (Hair-dressing apparatus; electro-thermic hair dryers). The HS code for electro-thermic hair dryers is 8516.31.
How do I classify Blow dryer for customs?
Blow dryer is classified under HS code 851631 — Hair-dressing apparatus; electro-thermic hair dryers. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are hair straighteners classified under the same code?
No, hair straighteners and curling irons are classified under HS code 8516.32, as they are hair-dressing apparatus other than dryers.
Which countries are the top exporters of blow dryer (HS 851631)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 851631 (the code used for blow dryer) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.5B, 56% of world exports), Germany ($183M) and the Netherlands ($151M). World exports came to about $2.7B, 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 blow dryer (HS 851631)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 851631 (the code used for blow dryer) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($369M, 13% of world imports), Japan ($265M) and Germany ($234M). World imports came to about $2.8B, 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 Blow dryer the same in all countries?
The base HS code 851631 for Blow dryer 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 blow dryer in Brazil?
In Brazil, blow dryer (HS 851631) is classified under NCM 8516.31.00.