Product classification
HS code for Safety valve: 8481.40
Valves, safety or relief valves, for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like.
Classification of safety valve under HS 8481.40
Safety valves are classified under HS code 8481.40. Heading 8481 encompasses a wide range of 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 specifically targets safety or relief valves. These components are essential for maintaining system integrity by automatically discharging a medium (liquid or gas) when a predetermined pressure or temperature limit is exceeded. The classification is based on the valve's primary function: protection against overpressure or vacuum conditions. This distinguishes them from standard flow control valves or check valves, which are classified elsewhere within the same heading based on their specific mechanical operation. The material of the valve (e.g., brass, stainless steel, or cast iron) does not change the primary classification under 8481.40, provided the valve is designed for safety or relief purposes in piping or vessel systems.
- Covers
- Pressure relief valves (PRV)
- Vacuum relief valves
- Temperature and pressure (T&P) safety valves
- Pilot-operated safety valves
- Spring-loaded 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. Safety valves are often misclassified under HS code 8481.10, which is reserved for pressure-reducing valves. While both manage pressure, 8481.10 is for valves that maintain a constant downstream pressure, whereas 8481.40 is for emergency relief. Another common error is 8481.30, which covers check (non-return) valves. If a valve is integrated into a specific machine and is not considered a general-purpose pipe fitting, some importers mistakenly look at the machine's heading in Chapter 84, but Note 2 to Section XVI dictates that heading 8481 takes precedence for these components.
Top exporters and importers of HS 848140 (the code used for safety valve), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 848140 (the code used for safety 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 safety 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 safety valve
Brazil classifies safety 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 safety valve
What is the HS code for Safety valve?
The HS code for Safety valve is 848140 (Valves; safety or relief valves, for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like). The HS code for safety or relief valves is 8481.40, regardless of the material they are made from.
How do I classify Safety valve for customs?
Safety 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.
Does this code include fire hydrants?
No, fire hydrants and similar water-dispensing appliances are generally classified under HS code 8481.80, as they are not primarily safety relief valves.
Which countries are the top exporters of safety valve (HS 848140)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 848140 (the code used for safety 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 safety valve (HS 848140)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 848140 (the code used for safety 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 Safety valve the same in all countries?
The base HS code 848140 for Safety 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 safety valve in Brazil?
In Brazil, safety valve (HS 848140) is classified under NCM 8481.40.00.