Product classification
HS code for Relief valve: 8481.40
Valves, safety or relief valves, for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like.
Classification of relief valve under HS 8481.40
Relief valves are classified under HS code 8481.40 based on their functional application as safety devices within piping systems, tanks, or pressure vessels. Heading 8481 encompasses taps, cocks, valves, and similar appliances for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats, or the like, including pressure-reducing valves and thermostatically controlled valves. Subheading 8481.40 is specifically reserved for safety or relief valves. These components are designed to automatically discharge a fluid or relieve pressure when a predetermined limit is exceeded, thereby preventing equipment failure, structural damage, or explosions. The classification remains consistent regardless of the specific mechanism—whether spring-loaded, weight-loaded, or pilot-operated—as long as the primary function is the protection of the system against overpressure or vacuum conditions. This classification is essential for ensuring the safety of industrial boilers, hydraulic systems, and pneumatic circuits.
- Covers
- Pressure relief valves (PRV)
- Safety relief valves for steam boilers
- Vacuum relief valves
- Thermal expansion relief valves
- Pilot-operated safety valves
- Also under 8481.40
- Emerson Crosby safety valves
- Farris Engineering relief valves
- Leser safety valves
- Kunkle safety valves
- Spirax Sarco safety valves
Codes often confused with 8481.40
Common mistake. Relief valves are often misclassified under HS code 8481.10, which is specifically for pressure-reducing valves. While both regulate pressure, 8481.10 is for maintaining a constant downstream pressure, whereas 8481.40 is for emergency pressure release. They may also be confused with HS code 8481.80, which is a residual category for other types of valves like gate, globe, or butterfly valves that do not have a specific safety-relief function.
Top exporters and importers of HS 848140 (the code used for relief valve), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 848140 (the code used for relief valve) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 9.9% 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 848140, not only relief valve.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $874M 17% of world exports
- 2 United States $865M 17% of world exports
- 3 Switzerland $552M 11% of world exports
World total: $5.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $505M 9.9% of world imports
- 2 Germany $423M 8.3% of world imports
- 3 China $389M 7.6% of world imports
World total: $5.1B 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 relief valve
Brazil classifies relief valve under NCM 8481.40.00: HS 8481.40 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about relief valve
What is the HS code for Relief valve?
The HS code for Relief valve is 848140 (Valves; safety or relief valves, for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like). The specific HS code for safety or relief valves used in pipes, boilers, or tanks is 8481.40.
How do I classify Relief valve for customs?
Relief valve is classified under HS code 848140 — Valves; safety or relief valves, for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is a pressure-reducing valve classified under the same code?
No, pressure-reducing valves are classified under HS code 8481.10, as they serve a different functional purpose than safety relief valves.
Which countries are the top exporters of relief valve (HS 848140)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 848140 (the code used for relief valve) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($874M, 17% of world exports), the United States ($865M) and Switzerland ($552M). World exports came to about $5.2B, 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 relief valve (HS 848140)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 848140 (the code used for relief valve) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($505M, 9.9% of world imports), Germany ($423M) and China ($389M). World imports came to about $5.1B, 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 Relief valve the same in all countries?
The base HS code 848140 for Relief valve 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 relief valve in Brazil?
In Brazil, relief valve (HS 848140) is classified under NCM 8481.40.00.