Product classification

HS code for Radio transmitter: 8525.50

Transmission apparatus for radio-broadcasting or television, whether or not incorporating sound recording or reproducing apparatus, not incorporating reception apparatus.

Classification of radio transmitter under HS 8525.50

Radio transmitters are classified under HS code 8525.50, which covers transmission apparatus for radio-broadcasting or television. A critical distinction for this code is that the apparatus must not incorporate reception apparatus. If the device were capable of both transmitting and receiving (a transceiver), it would be classified under 8525.60. Heading 8525 is part of Chapter 85, focusing on transmission apparatus for radio-telephony, radio-telegraphy, radio-broadcasting, or television. The classification 8525.50 is applied to high-power broadcast equipment used by radio stations and television networks to propagate signals over large distances. The technical nature of these devices involves converting audio or video signals into electromagnetic waves for wireless transmission. This classification is essential for identifying industrial-grade broadcasting equipment in international trade, ensuring it is not confused with consumer-level communication devices.

Covers: FM radio broadcast transmitters
AM radio broadcast transmitters
Television broadcast transmitters
Radio link transmitters for studio-to-transmitter links (STL)
Digital television (DTV) transmitters
Also under 8525.50: Rohde & Schwarz TV transmitters
GatesAir FM radio transmitters
Nautel AM/FM transmitters
Harris Broadcast transmitters
Elettronika TV transmitters

Codes often confused with 8525.50

Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs between 8525.50 (transmission only) and 8525.60 (transmission incorporating reception). Many modern communication devices are transceivers and thus belong in 8525.60. Additionally, equipment used for data transmission, such as wireless routers or cellular base stations, is often incorrectly placed here; these should be classified under HS code 8517.62. It is also important to distinguish these from radar apparatus, which falls under 8526.10, even though radar involves radio transmission.

8525.60Transmission apparatus for radio-broadcasting or television, whether or not incorporating sound recording or reproducing apparatus, incorporating reception apparatus 8517.62Communication apparatus (excluding telephone sets or base stations); machines for the reception, conversion and transmission or regeneration of voice, images or other data, including switching and routing apparatus 8526.10Radar apparatus

Top exporters and importers of HS 852550 (the code used for radio transmitter), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 852550 (the code used for radio transmitter) in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 53% 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 852550, not only radio transmitter.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

1 Vietnam* ~$858M 42% of world exports · partner records ↗
2 United States $351M 17% of world exports
3 Canada $93M 4.6% of world exports

World total: $2.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

1 United States $1.3B 53% of world imports
2 Canada $197M 8.2% of world imports
3 Italy $95M 4.0% of world imports

World total: $2.4B 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 codes for radio transmitter

Brazil splits HS 8525.50 into 7 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

8525.50.11Solid-state AM radio transmitters, over 10 kW
8525.50.19Other radio broadcast transmitters
8525.50.21TV transmitters over 7 GHz
8525.50.22UHF TV transmitters, 2.0–2.7 GHz, 10–100 W
8525.50.23UHF TV transmitters over 10 kW
8525.50.24VHF TV transmitters, 20 kW or more
8525.50.29Other television transmitters

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

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POST /api/classify/

{
  "query": "radio transmitter"
}

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Questions about radio transmitter

What is the HS code for Radio transmitter?

The HS code for Radio transmitter is 852550 (Transmission apparatus for radio-broadcasting or television, whether or not incorporating sound recording or reproducing apparatus, not incorporating reception apparatus). The HS code for a radio-broadcast transmitter that does not include reception capabilities is 8525.50.

How do I classify Radio transmitter for customs?

Radio transmitter is classified under HS code 852550 — Transmission apparatus for radio-broadcasting or television, whether or not incorporating sound recording or reproducing apparatus, not incorporating reception apparatus. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Can a walkie-talkie be classified under 8525.50?

No, a walkie-talkie is a two-way communication device that both transmits and receives signals, meaning it must be classified under HS code 8525.60 as a transceiver.

Which countries are the top exporters of radio transmitter (HS 852550)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 852550 (the code used for radio transmitter) in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $858M, 42% of world exports), the United States ($351M) and Canada ($93M). World exports came to about $2.0B, 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 radio transmitter (HS 852550)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 852550 (the code used for radio transmitter) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.3B, 53% of world imports), Canada ($197M) and Italy ($95M). World imports came to about $2.4B, 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.

Is the HS code for Radio transmitter the same in all countries?

The base HS code 852550 for Radio transmitter 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 radio transmitter in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 852550 into 7 NCM codes, so the right one for radio transmitter depends on the product's details: 8525.50.11 (Solid-state AM radio transmitters, over 10 kW), 8525.50.19 (Other radio broadcast transmitters), 8525.50.21 (TV transmitters over 7 GHz), 8525.50.22 (UHF TV transmitters, 2.0–2.7 GHz, 10–100 W), 8525.50.23 (UHF TV transmitters over 10 kW), 8525.50.24 (VHF TV transmitters, 20 kW or more), and more.