Product classification
HS code for Glass envelopes: 7011.90
Glass envelopes (including bulbs and tubes), open, and glass parts thereof, without fittings, other than for electric lighting and cathode-ray tubes.
Classification of glass envelopes under HS 7011.90
Glass envelopes, classified under HS code 7011.90, represent intermediate industrial components. These are open glass bulbs, tubes, or similar containers that have been shaped but have not yet been fitted with electrodes, filaments, or other electrical components. Heading 7011 is specifically designed for glass envelopes and parts thereof, without fittings, for electric lamps, cathode-ray tubes, or similar uses. The subheading 7011.90 is a residual category for envelopes intended for purposes other than electric lighting or television tubes, such as those used in laboratory equipment, thermometers, or specialized electronic valves. The classification is strictly limited to \"open\" envelopes; once the glass is sealed or fitted with internal components, it must be classified elsewhere, typically in Chapter 85 as a finished electrical component or lamp. This classification follows GRI 1 and GRI 2(a), as these are considered unfinished articles having the essential character of the finished envelope but lacking the functional internal parts that would define them as a specific electrical device.
- Covers
- Open glass bulbs for vacuum flasks
- Glass envelopes for laboratory thermometers
- Glass tubes for electronic valves (without fittings)
- Open glass shells for specialized sensors
- Glass parts for infrared emitters (unfinished)
- Also under 7011.90
- Hamamatsu photomultiplier tube glass
- Philips X-ray tube glass
- PerkinElmer sensor glass parts
- Schott specialty glass components
Codes often confused with 7011.90
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 7011.10, which is reserved specifically for glass envelopes used for electric lighting. If the envelope is intended for a light bulb, it must go there. Another common error is 8539, which covers finished electric lamps. If the glass envelope has any metal fittings or filaments attached, it can no longer be classified under 7011.90 and must be moved to the appropriate heading in Chapter 85.
Top exporters and importers of HS 701190 (the code used for glass envelopes), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 701190 (the code used for glass envelopes) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 7.7% 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 701190, not only glass envelopes.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $5.0M 17% of world exports
- 2 Malta $3.8M 13% of world exports
- 3 China $3.8M 13% of world exports
World total: $29M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Canada $2.3M 7.7% of world imports
- 2 Germany $2.3M 7.6% of world imports
- 3 China $2.1M 6.9% of world imports
World total: $30M 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 glass envelopes
Brazil classifies glass envelopes under NCM 7011.90.00: HS 7011.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about glass envelopes
What is the HS code for Glass envelopes?
The HS code for Glass envelopes is 701190 (Glass envelopes (including bulbs and tubes); open, and glass parts thereof, without fittings, other than for electric lighting and cathode-ray tubes). The HS code for glass envelopes (open and without fittings) for uses other than electric lighting or CRTs is 7011.90.
How do I classify Glass envelopes for customs?
Glass envelopes is classified under HS code 701190 — Glass envelopes (including bulbs and tubes); open, and glass parts thereof, without fittings, other than for electric lighting and cathode-ray tubes. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can finished glass tubes be classified here?
Only if they are open and intended to be envelopes for other devices. Standard glass tubing for general use is classified under 7002.
Which countries are the top exporters of glass envelopes (HS 701190)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 701190 (the code used for glass envelopes) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($5.0M, 17% of world exports), Malta ($3.8M) and China ($3.8M). World exports came to about $29M, 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 glass envelopes (HS 701190)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 701190 (the code used for glass envelopes) in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($2.3M, 7.7% of world imports), Germany ($2.3M) and China ($2.1M). World imports came to about $30M, 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 Glass envelopes the same in all countries?
The base HS code 701190 for Glass envelopes 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 glass envelopes in Brazil?
In Brazil, glass envelopes (HS 701190) is classified under NCM 7011.90.00.