Product classification
HS code for Canister vacuum: 8508.11
Vacuum cleaners, with self-contained electric motor, of a power not exceeding 1,500 W and having a dust bag or other receptacle capacity not exceeding 20L.
Classification of canister vacuum under HS 8508.11
Canister vacuum cleaners are classified under HS code 8508.11. This classification is found in Chapter 85, which covers electrical machinery and equipment. Heading 8508 is dedicated to vacuum cleaners. The subheading 8508.11 is highly specific, requiring the vacuum to meet three criteria: it must have a self-contained electric motor, the power must not exceed 1,500 Watts, and it must have a dust bag or other receptacle capacity not exceeding 20 liters. These parameters are designed to distinguish household-grade canister and upright vacuums from heavy-duty industrial models. Canister vacuums are characterized by a motor and container unit that is separate from the cleaning head, connected by a flexible hose. For classification purposes, the technical specifications found in the product's manual are critical. If the motor power is 1,600 Watts, for instance, the product would move to a different subheading (8508.19). This precision ensures that trade statistics accurately reflect the market for consumer electronics versus industrial equipment. The classification also includes "wet and dry" vacuums provided they meet the motor and capacity thresholds.
- Covers
- Household canister vacuums
- Portable electric vacuums
- Compact bagless canister vacuums
- Handheld electric vacuums
- Cordless canister vacuums
- Also under 8508.11
- Dyson V15 Detect
- Roomba i7+
- Shark Navigator Lift-Away
- Miele Compact C1
- Eufy RoboVac 11S
Codes often confused with 8508.11
Common mistake. Canister vacuums are often misclassified under 8508.19 if the power exceeds 1,500W or the capacity exceeds 20L. They may also be confused with 8508.60, which is for vacuum cleaners without a self-contained electric motor (such as those powered by an external central system). Industrial floor polishers with vacuum functions are classified under 8479.
Top exporters and importers of HS 850811 (the code used for canister vacuum), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 850811 (the code used for canister vacuum) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 40% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 16% of world imports. Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 1.2% of its exports here ($18M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 850811, not only canister vacuum.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $6.6B 40% of world exports
- 2 Germany $1.9B 12% of world exports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$1.9B 11% of world exports · partner records ↗
Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 1.2% of its exports here ($18M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
World total: $16.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $2.9B 16% of world imports
- 2 Germany $2.3B 13% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $1.4B 7.9% of world imports
World total: $18.2B 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. 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 canister vacuum
Brazil classifies canister vacuum under NCM 8508.11.00: HS 8508.11 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about canister vacuum
What is the HS code for Canister vacuum?
The HS code for Canister vacuum is 850811 (Vacuum cleaners, with self-contained electric motor, of a power not exceeding 1,500 W and having a dust bag or other receptacle capacity not exceeding 20L). The HS code for a standard household canister vacuum is 8508.11, provided it is under 1,500W and 20L capacity.
How do I classify Canister vacuum for customs?
Canister vacuum is classified under HS code 850811 — Vacuum cleaners, with self-contained electric motor, of a power not exceeding 1,500 W and having a dust bag or other receptacle capacity not exceeding 20L. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What if the vacuum has no motor?
If the vacuum cleaner does not have a self-contained electric motor (e.g., it connects to a central vacuum system), it is classified under HS code 8508.60.
Which countries are the top exporters of canister vacuum (HS 850811)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 850811 (the code used for canister vacuum) in UN Comtrade data were China ($6.6B, 40% of world exports), Germany ($1.9B) and Vietnam (about $1.9B). World exports came to about $16.6B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Vietnam did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 1.2% of its exports here ($18M, CEPII BACI), so it may rank higher.
Which countries are the top importers of canister vacuum (HS 850811)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 850811 (the code used for canister vacuum) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($2.9B, 16% of world imports), Germany ($2.3B) and the Netherlands ($1.4B). World imports came to about $18.2B, 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 Canister vacuum the same in all countries?
The base HS code 850811 for Canister vacuum 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 canister vacuum in Brazil?
In Brazil, canister vacuum (HS 850811) is classified under NCM 8508.11.00.