Product classification
HS code for Headset: 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 headset under HS 8518.30
Headsets are classified under HS code 8518.30, a category that encompasses headphones and earphones, whether or not they are combined with a microphone. This classification is part of Chapter 85, which covers electrical machinery and equipment. Heading 8518 is quite broad, including microphones, loudspeakers, and audio-frequency electric amplifiers. The specific subheading 8518.30 is used for devices intended to be worn on or in the ears. A "headset" is typically defined as a pair of headphones (or a single earphone) integrated with a microphone, allowing for both audio output and input. This makes them essential for telecommunications, gaming, and professional audio work. The classification applies to all types of headsets, including those that connect via a physical wire (such as a 3.5mm jack or a USB connector) and those that use wireless technology like Bluetooth. According to GRI 1, the classification is determined by the description in the heading. Even though headsets are often used with computers or telephones, they are not classified as parts of those machines (which would be 8473 or 8517) because they are specifically named in heading 8518. The only major exception would be if the headset was part of a specialized flight helmet or similar integrated safety gear, but for standard consumer and professional electronics, 8518.30 is the correct and globally recognized code.
- Covers
- Gaming headsets with microphones
- Bluetooth wireless headsets
- Telephone operator headsets
- Noise-canceling headphones
- In-ear monitors with integrated mics
- 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. Headsets are sometimes misclassified under 8517.62 (Machines for the reception, conversion, and transmission of voice/images) because they are used for communication. However, 8518.30 is more specific. Another common error is 9504.50 for gaming headsets, but unless the headset is an inseparable part of a video game console, it remains in 8518.30.
Top exporters and importers of HS 851830 (the code used for headset), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 851830 (the code used for headset) 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 headset.
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 headset
Brazil classifies headset 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 headset
What is the HS code for Headset?
The HS code for Headset is 851830 (Headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and sets consisting of a microphone and one or more loudspeakers). The HS code for headsets (headphones with a microphone) is 8518.30.
How do I classify Headset for customs?
Headset 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.
Does this code cover wireless Bluetooth headsets?
Yes, both wired and wireless headsets are classified under 8518.30 as long as their primary function is audio output/input.
Which countries are the top exporters of headset (HS 851830)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 851830 (the code used for headset) 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 headset (HS 851830)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 851830 (the code used for headset) 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 Headset the same in all countries?
The base HS code 851830 for Headset 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 headset in Brazil?
In Brazil, headset (HS 851830) is classified under NCM 8518.30.00.