Product classification
HS code for Power transmission cable: 8544.60
Insulated electric conductors, for a voltage exceeding 1000 volts.
Classification of power transmission cable under HS 8544.60
Power transmission cables are classified under HS code 8544.60 because they are insulated electric conductors designed for high-voltage applications. Heading 8544 encompasses a wide range of insulated wires and cables, including coaxial cables and optical fiber cables. The primary distinction for subheading 8544.60 is the voltage rating, which must exceed 1,000 volts (1 kV). These cables are engineered with robust insulation layers—often made of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE), ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), or paper-insulated lead-covered (PILC) materials—to withstand the significant electrical stress of high-voltage transmission. The classification applies regardless of the conductor material, which is typically copper or aluminum, and regardless of whether the cable is fitted with connectors. It is the combination of the insulation and the high-voltage rating that dictates the use of this specific code, separating industrial and utility-grade transmission lines from standard domestic or low-voltage wiring found in heading 8544.49. The classification also covers cables used in various environments, including underground ducts, direct burial, or submarine installations, provided they meet the voltage threshold. The technical complexity of these cables, involving multiple layers of shielding, bedding, and armoring to prevent electrical leakage and mechanical damage, justifies their specific placement in the 8544.60 subheading. Note that the presence of a connector does not change the heading but may affect the specific 10-digit statistical suffix in some jurisdictions.
- Covers
- High-voltage underground power cables
- Medium-voltage distribution cables (>1kV)
- Insulated overhead transmission lines
- Submarine power transmission cables
- Armored high-voltage industrial cables
- Also under 8544.60
- Prysmian Group high-voltage cables
- Nexans power cables
- Sumitomo Electric high-voltage solutions
- General Cable medium-voltage cables
Codes often confused with 8544.60
Common mistake. Power transmission cables are often confused with HS code 8544.49, which is for insulated conductors rated for 1,000 volts or less. Another common error involves uninsulated conductors; if the cable lacks insulation (such as bare aluminum wire used for long-distance pylons), it is classified by its constituent material under heading 7614 (aluminum) or 7413 (copper), rather than heading 8544.
Top exporters and importers of HS 854460 (the code used for power transmission cable), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 854460 (the code used for power transmission cable) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 15% 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 854460, not only power transmission cable.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $3.4B 21% of world exports
- 2 South Korea $1.3B 8.2% of world exports
- 3 Germany $850M 5.2% of world exports
World total: $16.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $2.1B 15% of world imports
- 2 Germany $1.4B 10.0% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $690M 4.9% of world imports
World total: $14.0B 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 power transmission cable
Brazil classifies power transmission cable under NCM 8544.60.00: HS 8544.60 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about power transmission cable
What is the HS code for Power transmission cable?
The HS code for Power transmission cable is 854460 (Insulated electric conductors; for a voltage exceeding 1000 volts). The HS code for insulated power transmission cables rated for a voltage exceeding 1,000V is 8544.60.
How do I classify Power transmission cable for customs?
Power transmission cable is classified under HS code 854460 — Insulated electric conductors; for a voltage exceeding 1000 volts. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include fiber optic cables?
No, pure optical fiber cables are classified under 8544.70, though hybrid cables containing both power conductors and fibers may fall under 8544.60 if the power function is primary.
Which countries are the top exporters of power transmission cable (HS 854460)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 854460 (the code used for power transmission cable) in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.4B, 21% of world exports), South Korea ($1.3B) and Germany ($850M). World exports came to about $16.4B, 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 power transmission cable (HS 854460)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 854460 (the code used for power transmission cable) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($2.1B, 15% of world imports), Germany ($1.4B) and the United Kingdom ($690M). World imports came to about $14.0B, 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 Power transmission cable the same in all countries?
The base HS code 854460 for Power transmission cable 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 power transmission cable in Brazil?
In Brazil, power transmission cable (HS 854460) is classified under NCM 8544.60.00.