Product classification

HS code for Oscilloscope tube: 8540.60

Tubes, cathode ray, n.e.c. in heading no. 8540.

Classification of oscilloscope tube under HS 8540.60

An oscilloscope tube, specifically a cathode-ray tube (CRT) used in analog oscilloscopes, is classified under HS code 8540.60. Chapter 85 covers electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof. Heading 8540 is dedicated to thermionic, cold cathode, or photo-cathode valves and tubes. While one might be tempted to classify the tube as a part of an oscilloscope under 9030.90, Note 2(a) to Chapter 90 specifies that parts and accessories which are goods included in any of the headings of Chapter 84, 85, or 91 are in all cases to be classified in their respective headings. Since the CRT is a specific type of vacuum tube described in heading 8540, it must be classified there. Subheading 8540.60 covers "other" cathode-ray tubes that are not specifically for television receivers or data display monitors, making it the appropriate code for tubes used in measuring instruments like oscilloscopes. This classification logic follows the principle of specificity, where a specific description of a component (a tube) takes precedence over a general description (a part of an instrument).

Covers
  • Cathode-ray tubes for analog oscilloscopes
  • Monochrome display tubes for measurement instruments
  • Radar display tubes (non-data processing)
  • Specialized vacuum tubes for signal visualization
Also under 8540.60
  • Tektronix Oscilloscope CRT
  • Raytheon Radar Display Tube
  • Philips Storage Tube
  • Hewlett-Packard Oscilloscope CRT
  • Siemens Medical Imaging CRT

Codes often confused with 8540.60

Common mistake. The most common misclassification is under HS code 9030.90 as a part of an oscilloscope. However, Chapter 90 notes explicitly redirect such components to Chapter 85. It is also sometimes confused with HS code 8540.11 or 8540.12, which are reserved for television receiver tubes, or 8528 for modern flat-panel displays which are not vacuum tubes.

9030.90Instruments, apparatus for measuring, checking electrical quantities, not meters of heading no. 9028; parts and accessories, for measuring or detecting alpha, beta, gamma, x-ray, cosmic and other radiations8540.11Tubes; cathode-ray television picture tubes, including video monitor cathode-ray tubes, colour8540.12Tubes; cathode-ray television picture tubes, including video monitor cathode-ray tubes, monochrome85.28Monitors and projectors, not incorporating television reception apparatus; reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus

Top exporters and importers of HS 854060 (the code used for oscilloscope tube), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 854060 (the code used for oscilloscope tube) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 33% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 20% 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 854060, not only oscilloscope tube.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 United States $4.1M
  2. 2 United Kingdom $3.8M
  3. 3 Germany $2.0M

World total: $12M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Germany $2.3M
  2. 2 Netherlands $1.4M
  3. 3 United Kingdom $1.0M

World total: $11M 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 codes for oscilloscope tube

Brazil splits HS 8540.60 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about oscilloscope tube

What is the HS code for Oscilloscope tube?

The HS code for Oscilloscope tube is 854060 (Tubes; cathode ray, n.e.c. in heading no. 8540). The HS code for an Oscilloscope tube is 8540.60.

How do I classify Oscilloscope tube for customs?

Oscilloscope tube is classified under HS code 854060 — Tubes; cathode ray, n.e.c. in heading no. 8540. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Why is it not classified as a part of the oscilloscope in 9030.90?

According to Chapter 90 Note 2(a), if a part is itself a good covered by a heading in Chapter 85 (like vacuum tubes in 8540), it must be classified in that specific heading rather than as a part of the instrument.

Which countries are the top exporters of oscilloscope tube (HS 854060)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 854060 (the code used for oscilloscope tube) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($4.1M, 33% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($3.8M) and Germany ($2.0M). World exports came to about $12M, 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 oscilloscope tube (HS 854060)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 854060 (the code used for oscilloscope tube) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($2.3M, 20% of world imports), the Netherlands ($1.4M) and the United Kingdom ($1.0M). World imports came to about $11M, 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 Oscilloscope tube the same in all countries?

The base HS code 854060 for Oscilloscope tube 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 oscilloscope tube in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 854060 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for oscilloscope tube depends on the product's details: 8540.60.10 (Colour data display tubes, 0.4 mm pitch or more), 8540.60.90 (Other cathode-ray tubes).