Product classification
HS code for Earphones: 8518.30
Headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and sets consisting of a microphone and one or more loudspeakers.
Classification of earphones under HS 8518.30
Earphones are classified under HS code 8518.30 according to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) 1 and 6. Heading 8518 covers microphones, loudspeakers, and headphones/earphones. Specifically, subheading 8518.30 includes headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone. The classification is determined by the device's primary function: converting electrical signals into audible sound waves for a single user. Even when these devices incorporate Bluetooth technology for wireless connectivity, they are typically classified here rather than under telecommunications headings, provided their principal function remains audio output. The inclusion of a microphone for telephony does not change this classification, as the combined set is specifically named in the heading text. This code applies to devices designed to be worn on the head or inserted into the ear canal, covering both consumer electronics and professional audio monitoring equipment.
- Covers
- In-ear wired earphones
- Over-ear wireless headphones
- Bluetooth earbuds with charging cases
- Noise-canceling headphones
- Headsets with integrated boom microphones
- Studio monitor headphones
- Also under 8518.30
- Apple AirPods Pro
- Sony WH-1000XM5
- HyperX Cloud II
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
- Sennheiser HD 660 S.
Codes often confused with 8518.30
Common mistake. Earphones are frequently misclassified under HS code 8517.62, which covers machines for the reception, conversion, and transmission of voice or data. While wireless earphones use Bluetooth (a transmission technology), they are specifically provided for in 8518.30. Another common error is using 8518.10 for the microphone component alone if the item is a headset; however, the combined unit must stay in 8518.30 per the heading description.
Top exporters and importers of HS 851830 (the code used for earphones), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 851830 (the code used for earphones) in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 25% 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 851830, not only earphones.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Vietnam* ~$8.1B 37% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 2 China $2.3B 10% of world exports
- 3 Germany $1.5B 6.8% of world exports
World total: $21.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $6.5B 25% of world imports
- 2 Germany $2.1B 8.0% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $1.2B 4.6% of world imports
World total: $25.8B 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 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 earphones
Brazil classifies earphones under NCM 8518.30.00: HS 8518.30 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about earphones
What is the HS code for Earphones?
The HS code for Earphones is 851830 (Headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and sets consisting of a microphone and one or more loudspeakers). The primary HS code for earphones, including wireless and wired versions, is 8518.30.
How do I classify Earphones for customs?
Earphones is classified under HS code 851830 — Headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and sets consisting of a microphone and one or more loudspeakers. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are Bluetooth speakers classified under the same code?
No, Bluetooth speakers are generally classified under HS code 8518.21 or 8518.22, depending on the number of loudspeakers in the enclosure, as they are designed for room-filling sound rather than individual listening.
Which countries are the top exporters of earphones (HS 851830)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 851830 (the code used for earphones) in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $8.1B, 37% of world exports), China ($2.3B) and Germany ($1.5B). World exports came to about $21.8B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of earphones (HS 851830)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 851830 (the code used for earphones) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($6.5B, 25% of world imports), Germany ($2.1B) and the United Kingdom ($1.2B). World imports came to about $25.8B, 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 Earphones the same in all countries?
The base HS code 851830 for Earphones 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 earphones in Brazil?
In Brazil, earphones (HS 851830) is classified under NCM 8518.30.00.