Product classification
HS code for Stereo speakers: 8518.22
Loudspeakers, multiple, mounted in the same enclosure.
Classification of stereo speakers under HS 8518.22
Stereo speakers are classified under HS code 8518.22 because they consist of multiple loudspeakers mounted in the same enclosure. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) 1 and 6, classification is determined by the terms of the headings and any relative section or chapter notes. Heading 8518 covers microphones, loudspeakers, and audio-frequency electric amplifiers. Subheading 8518.22 specifically addresses \"Multiple loudspeakers, mounted in the same enclosure.\" This classification applies regardless of whether the speakers are passive or active (containing a built-in amplifier), provided the primary function remains the conversion of electrical signals into sound waves. The enclosure, often referred to as a cabinet, must house more than one individual speaker unit (driver), such as a woofer and a tweeter, to qualify for this specific code. If the enclosure contains only one loudspeaker, it would instead fall under 8518.21. The technical distinction relies on the physical configuration of the drivers within a single housing unit, which is a common design for high-fidelity stereo systems and home theater components. Proper classification ensures compliance with varying tariff rates that may apply to consumer electronics versus industrial audio components. Furthermore, the Explanatory Notes to Chapter 85 clarify that these units may include transformers or other electrical components necessary for their operation without losing their identity as loudspeakers.
- Covers
- Bookshelf speakers with dual drivers
- Floor-standing hi-fi speaker towers
- Soundbars containing multiple internal speakers
- Studio monitors with integrated woofers and tweeters
- Portable Bluetooth speakers with multiple drivers in one housing
- Also under 8518.22
- Bose Soundbar 900
- Klipsch RP-8000F
- Logitech Z906
- Yamaha YHT-4950U
- Sonos Arc.
Codes often confused with 8518.22
Common mistake. A frequent error is confusing 8518.22 with 8518.21, which is strictly for single loudspeakers mounted in their enclosures. If a cabinet contains only one driver, 8518.21 is the correct code. Another common mistake involves 8518.29, which covers loudspeakers not mounted in enclosures (raw drivers). Additionally, if a speaker is integrated into another device, such as a television or a laptop, it is classified with that device under headings like 8528 or 8471. Some importers also mistakenly use 8519, which is for sound recording or reproducing apparatus like turntables or CD players, but 8518 is specifically for the output components.
Top exporters and importers of HS 851822 (the code used for stereo speakers), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 851822 (the code used for stereo speakers) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 23% 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 851822, not only stereo speakers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $3.7B 42% of world exports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$1.2B 14% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Germany $558M 6.3% of world exports
World total: $8.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.9B 23% of world imports
- 2 Germany $576M 7.1% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $319M 3.9% of world imports
World total: $8.1B 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 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 code for stereo speakers
Brazil classifies stereo speakers under NCM 8518.22.00: HS 8518.22 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about stereo speakers
What is the HS code for Stereo speakers?
The HS code for Stereo speakers is 851822 (Loudspeakers; multiple, mounted in the same enclosure). The HS code for stereo speakers consisting of multiple drivers in a single enclosure is 8518.22.
How do I classify Stereo speakers for customs?
Stereo speakers is classified under HS code 851822 — Loudspeakers; multiple, mounted in the same enclosure. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are wireless speakers classified differently?
No, wireless or Bluetooth speakers are still classified under 8518.22 if they contain multiple drivers in one enclosure, as the wireless communication module is considered an auxiliary function to the primary purpose of sound reproduction.
Which countries are the top exporters of stereo speakers (HS 851822)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 851822 (the code used for stereo speakers) in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.7B, 42% of world exports), Vietnam (about $1.2B) and Germany ($558M). World exports came to about $8.8B, 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 stereo speakers (HS 851822)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 851822 (the code used for stereo speakers) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.9B, 23% of world imports), Germany ($576M) and the Netherlands ($319M). World imports came to about $8.1B, 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 Stereo speakers the same in all countries?
The base HS code 851822 for Stereo speakers 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 stereo speakers in Brazil?
In Brazil, stereo speakers (HS 851822) is classified under NCM 8518.22.00.