Product classification
HS code for Extension cord: 8544.42
Insulated electric conductors, for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, fitted with connectors.
Classification of extension cord under HS 8544.42
Extension cords are classified under HS code 8544.42, which falls within the broader category of insulated electric conductors. The classification logic is based on three primary technical factors: the presence of insulation, the voltage capacity, and the addition of connectors. Heading 8544 covers wire, cable, and other insulated conductors, even if they are fitted with connectors. Subheading 8544.42 specifically addresses conductors used for a voltage not exceeding 1,000 volts that are "fitted with connectors." An extension cord, by definition, consists of a specific length of insulated wire equipped with a plug at one end and one or more sockets at the other, making it a finished assembly ready for immediate use in domestic, commercial, or industrial power distribution. The classification is determined by the fact that the cable is not merely a bulk commodity but a finished article designed for a specific electrical connection task. The insulation material, whether rubber, plastic, or silicone, does not change the primary classification under this code, provided the voltage remains within the specified low-to-medium range.
- Covers
- Domestic power extension leads with molded plugs
- Industrial extension cables with heavy-duty connectors
- Power strips with integrated cords and plugs
- Multi-outlet extension cords for office use
- Outdoor-rated extension cords with weather-resistant connectors
- Also under 8544.42
- Anker USB-C cables
- Belkin HDMI cables
- Monoprice Ethernet cables
- Tripp Lite power cords
- Apple Lightning cables
Codes often confused with 8544.42
Common mistake. Extension cords are often misclassified under HS code 8544.49, which is for insulated conductors without connectors. If the cord is imported as a bulk reel without plugs, 8544.49 is correct. They are also sometimes confused with HS code 8536, which covers the plugs and sockets themselves as individual components rather than the cable assembly.
Top exporters and importers of HS 854442 (the code used for extension cord), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 854442 (the code used for extension cord) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 31% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% 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 854442, not only extension cord.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $16.4B 31% of world exports
- 2 Hong Kong $3.9B 7.5% of world exports
- 3 United States $3.6B 6.9% of world exports
World total: $52.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $8.9B 18% of world imports
- 2 Mexico $3.6B 7.4% of world imports
- 3 Germany $3.5B 7.0% of world imports
World total: $49.6B 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 extension cord
Brazil classifies extension cord under NCM 8544.42.00: HS 8544.42 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about extension cord
What is the HS code for Extension cord?
The HS code for Extension cord is 854442 (Insulated electric conductors; for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, fitted with connectors). The HS code for an extension cord fitted with connectors for voltage not exceeding 1,000V is 8544.42.
How do I classify Extension cord for customs?
Extension cord is classified under HS code 854442 — Insulated electric conductors; for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, fitted with connectors. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are USB cables classified under this same HS code?
Yes, most USB data and charging cables are classified under 8544.42 because they are insulated conductors fitted with connectors for low voltage.
Which countries are the top exporters of extension cord (HS 854442)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 854442 (the code used for extension cord) in UN Comtrade data were China ($16.4B, 31% of world exports), Hong Kong ($3.9B) and the United States ($3.6B). World exports came to about $52.5B, 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 extension cord (HS 854442)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 854442 (the code used for extension cord) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($8.9B, 18% of world imports), Mexico ($3.6B) and Germany ($3.5B). World imports came to about $49.6B, 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 Extension cord the same in all countries?
The base HS code 854442 for Extension cord 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 extension cord in Brazil?
In Brazil, extension cord (HS 854442) is classified under NCM 8544.42.00.