Product classification
HS code for Printed circuit boards: 8534.00
Circuits, printed.
Classification of printed circuit boards under HS 8534.00
HS code 8534.00 is the specific classification for printed circuits. According to the Harmonized System's General Rules of Interpretation (GRI 1), classification is determined by the terms of the headings. Heading 8534 covers circuits obtained by forming on an insulating base, by any printing process or by the precipitated circuit technique, conductor elements, contacts, or other printed components. These components include inductances, resistors, and capacitors which are printed as part of the process. It is vital to distinguish these from assembled boards; 8534.00 only applies to the bare board or boards containing only printed elements. If the board contains discrete active elements like transistors, diodes, or integrated circuits, it is no longer classified here. The insulating base can be made of any material, such as fiberglass-reinforced epoxy (FR-4), ceramic, or flexible plastics like polyimide. The classification remains the same regardless of the number of layers, whether single-sided, double-sided, or multi-layer, provided no non-printed components are attached.
- Covers
- Single-sided rigid printed circuit boards
- Multi-layer printed circuit boards (bare)
- Flexible printed circuits (FPC) without mounted components
- Rigid-flex printed circuit boards
- Printed passive components integrated into the substrate
- Also under 8534.00
- FR-4 PCBs
- Rogers high-frequency PCBs
- DuPont Pyralux flexible circuits
- TTM Technologies PCBs
Codes often confused with 8534.00
Common mistake. The most frequent error is confusing 8534.00 with HS code 8542, which covers electronic integrated circuits (microchips). While 8534 is the carrier, 8542 is the active component. Another common mistake is using 8543.90 for PCB parts of machines; however, 8534.00 is a specific heading that takes precedence over general parts headings. Furthermore, if the board is populated with components, it must be classified under the heading for the finished machine or as an 'electronic assembly' under codes like 8473.30 for computers or 8517.70 for telecommunications equipment.
Top exporters and importers of HS 853400 (the code used for printed circuit boards), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 853400 (the code used for printed circuit boards) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 41% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Hong Kong, with 13% 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 853400, not only printed circuit boards.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $26.0B 41% of world exports
- 2 Hong Kong $10.1B 16% of world exports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$5.4B 8.5% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $63.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Hong Kong $8.2B 13% of world imports
- 2 China $7.6B 12% of world imports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$6.8B 11% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $62.5B 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 printed circuit boards
Brazil splits HS 8534.00 into 12 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8534.00.11Single-sided rigid PCBs, phenolic resin and paper
- 8534.00.12Single-sided rigid PCBs, epoxy resin and paper
- 8534.00.13Single-sided rigid PCBs, epoxy-glass fibre
- 8534.00.19Other single-sided rigid printed circuits
- 8534.00.20Single-sided flexible printed circuits
- 8534.00.31Double-sided rigid PCBs, phenolic resin and paper
- 8534.00.32Double-sided rigid PCBs, epoxy resin and paper
- 8534.00.33Double-sided rigid PCBs, epoxy-glass fibre
- 8534.00.39Other double-sided rigid printed circuits
- 8534.00.40Double-sided flexible printed circuits
- 8534.00.51Multilayer PCBs, epoxy-glass fibre
- 8534.00.59Other multilayer printed circuits
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about printed circuit boards
What is the HS code for Printed circuit boards?
The HS code for Printed circuit boards is 853400 (Circuits; printed). The HS code for bare printed circuit boards is 8534.00. This applies to boards that have conductive patterns but no discrete active components installed.
How do I classify Printed circuit boards for customs?
Printed circuit boards is classified under HS code 853400 — Circuits; printed. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does 8534.00 include boards with resistors?
It only includes resistors if they are 'printed' onto the substrate during the manufacturing process. If discrete resistors are soldered onto the board, the classification changes to an electronic assembly under the relevant machine heading.
Which countries are the top exporters of printed circuit boards (HS 853400)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 853400 (the code used for printed circuit boards) in UN Comtrade data were China ($26.0B, 41% of world exports), Hong Kong ($10.1B) and Taiwan (about $5.4B). World exports came to about $63.0B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of printed circuit boards (HS 853400)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 853400 (the code used for printed circuit boards) in UN Comtrade data were Hong Kong ($8.2B, 13% of world imports), China ($7.6B) and Vietnam (about $6.8B). World imports came to about $62.5B, 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.
Is the HS code for Printed circuit boards the same in all countries?
The base HS code 853400 for Printed circuit boards 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 printed circuit boards in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 853400 into 12 NCM codes, so the right one for printed circuit boards depends on the product's details: 8534.00.11 (Single-sided rigid PCBs, phenolic resin and paper), 8534.00.12 (Single-sided rigid PCBs, epoxy resin and paper), 8534.00.13 (Single-sided rigid PCBs, epoxy-glass fibre), 8534.00.19 (Other single-sided rigid printed circuits), 8534.00.20 (Single-sided flexible printed circuits), 8534.00.31 (Double-sided rigid PCBs, phenolic resin and paper), and more.