Product classification
HS code for Circuit board scrap: 8549.21
Electrical and electronic waste and scrap, of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metal, containing primary cells and batteries, electric accumulators, mercury-switches, glass from cathode ray tubes or other activated glass, or electrical.
Classification of circuit board scrap under HS 8549.21
Circuit board scrap is classified under HS code 8549.21, which falls within the broader category of electrical and electronic waste and scrap. This specific subheading is designated for waste primarily intended for the recovery of precious metals, such as gold, silver, or palladium, which are commonly found in the circuitry and components of printed circuit boards (PCBs). The classification is determined by the presence of specific hazardous or regulated components, including primary cells, batteries, mercury-switches, or glass from cathode ray tubes. Under the Harmonized System's General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), products are classified based on their material composition and their intended use at the end of their lifecycle. Since these boards are no longer functional and are being traded for material recovery, they move from Chapter 85 (functional machinery) to the waste provisions of 8549. The 8549.21 code specifically addresses waste containing hazardous elements, distinguishing it from cleaner electronic scrap that does not contain such components.
- Covers
- Populated printed circuit boards (PCBs)
- Discarded computer motherboards
- Server and networking equipment boards
- Mobile phone internal circuitry scrap
- Telecom switching equipment boards
- Also under 8549.21
- End-of-life smartphones
- Discarded computer motherboards
- Used server blades
- Old digital cameras
- GPS devices
Codes often confused with 8549.21
Common mistake. Circuit board scrap is frequently misclassified under HS code 7112.91, which covers waste and scrap of precious metal. While the boards contain precious metals, 8549.21 is more specific for electronic waste. Another common error is using 8548.00, which was previously used for electronic waste but has been largely superseded by the more detailed 8549 subheadings in recent HS updates.
Top exporters and importers of HS 854921 (the code used for circuit board scrap), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 854921 (the code used for circuit board scrap) in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Belgium, with 38% 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 854921, not only circuit board scrap.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 South Korea $23M 18% of world exports
- 2 United States $17M 13% of world exports
- 3 Belgium $14M 11% of world exports
World total: $128M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Belgium $183M 38% of world imports
- 2 South Korea $172M 36% of world imports
- 3 Japan $61M 13% of world imports
World total: $484M 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 circuit board scrap
Brazil classifies circuit board scrap under NCM 8549.21.00: HS 8549.21 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about circuit board scrap
What is the HS code for Circuit board scrap?
The HS code for Circuit board scrap is 854921 (Electrical and electronic waste and scrap; of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metal, containing primary cells and batteries, electric accumulators, mercury-switches, glass from cathode ray tubes or other activated glass, or electrical). The primary HS code for circuit board scrap intended for precious metal recovery and containing hazardous components is 8549.21.
How do I classify Circuit board scrap for customs?
Circuit board scrap is classified under HS code 854921 — Electrical and electronic waste and scrap; of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metal, containing primary cells and batteries, electric accumulators, mercury-switches, glass from cathode ray tubes or other activated glass, or electrical. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between 8549.21 and 8549.29?
HS code 8549.21 is used for scrap containing specific hazardous materials like mercury or batteries, while 8549.29 is for other electronic waste used for precious metal recovery that does not contain those specific hazardous elements.
Which countries are the top exporters of circuit board scrap (HS 854921)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 854921 (the code used for circuit board scrap) in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($23M, 18% of world exports), the United States ($17M) and Belgium ($14M). World exports came to about $128M, 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 circuit board scrap (HS 854921)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 854921 (the code used for circuit board scrap) in UN Comtrade data were Belgium ($183M, 38% of world imports), South Korea ($172M) and Japan ($61M). World imports came to about $484M, 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 Circuit board scrap the same in all countries?
The base HS code 854921 for Circuit board scrap 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 circuit board scrap in Brazil?
In Brazil, circuit board scrap (HS 854921) is classified under NCM 8549.21.00.