Electrical and electronic waste and scrap
In plain English
This heading covers electrical and electronic waste and scrap, primarily focusing on discarded batteries and accumulators. These items are categorized based on their chemical composition, such as whether they contain lead, cadmium, or mercury, and whether they are sorted by type. The classification also distinguishes between waste intended for precious metal recovery and other electronic assemblies like printed circuit boards. Finally, it includes any remaining electrical and electronic waste that does not fit into the specific categories described above.
6-digit subheadings (11)
Official HS 2022 subheading texts. National tariff schedules subdivide these further (8-10 digit lines) and set the actual duty rates.
Waste and scrap of lead-acid accumulators; spent lead-acid accumulators
Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, containing lead, cadmium or mercury, other than lead-acid accumulators
Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, sorted by chemical type and not containing lead, cadmium or mercury
Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, unsorted and not containing lead, cadmium or mercury
Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, n.e.c. in item no 8549.1
Electrical and electronic waste and scrap; of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metal, containing primary cells and batteries, electric accumulators, mercury-switches, glass from cathode ray tubes or other activated glass, or electrical
Waste and scrap; of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metal n.e.c. in item no 8549.21
Electrical and electronic waste and scrap; electrical and electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards, other than those used principally for the recovery of precious metal, containing primary cells and batteries, electric accumulators, mercury-switch
Waste and scrap; electrical and electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards, other than those used principally for the recovery of precious metal n.e.c. in item no 8549.31
Waste and scrap; n.e.c. in heading no 8549
Waste and scrap; n.e.c. in item no 8549.91
Chapter 85 classification notes
Frequent misclassification in this chapter
Many importers confuse 85 (electrical) and 84 (mechanical). A device with both elements usually classifies by principal function. Chargers and adapters classified separately from the device they charge.
Classification certainty
The 6-digit level shown here is the internationally harmonised layer. Duty rates attach to national 8-10 digit tariff lines, which differ by country — use the duty calculator for lane estimates. For binding certainty, request a ruling from the destination customs authority.
Binding tariff ruling databaseOther headings in Chapter 85
- 8501 — Electric motors and generators (excluding generating sets)
- 8502 — Electric generating sets and rotary converters
- 8503 — Electric motors and generators; parts suitable for use solely or princ…
- 8504 — Electric transformers, static converters (e.g. rectifiers) and inducto…
- 8505 — Electro-magnets; permanent magnets, intended permanent magnets; electr…
- 8506 — Cells and batteries; primary
- 8507 — Electric accumulators, including separators therefor; whether or not r…
- 8508 — Vacuum cleaners
- 8509 — Electro-mechanical domestic appliances; with self-contained electric m…
- 8510 — Shavers, hair clippers and hair removing appliances, with self-contain…
- 8511 — Ignition or starting equipment; used for spark-ignition or compression…
- 8512 — Lighting or visual signalling equipment (excluding articles of heading…
- 8513 — Lamps; portable, electric, designed to function by their own source of…
- 8514 — Industrial or laboratory electric furnaces and ovens (including those …
- 8515 — Electric (electrically heated gas) soldering, brazing, welding machine…
- 8516 — Electric water, space, soil heaters; electro-thermic hair-dressing app…
- 8517 — Telephone sets, including smartphones and other telephones for cellula…
- 8518 — Microphones and their stands; loudspeakers, mounted or not in their en…
- 8519 — Sound recording or reproducing apparatus
- 8521 — Video recording or reproducing apparatus
- 8522 — Sound or video recording apparatus; parts and accessories suitable for…
- 8523 — Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices, smart cards an…
- 8524 — Flat panel display modules, whether or not incorporating touch-sensiti…
- 8525 — Transmission apparatus for radio-broadcasting or television, whether o…
- 8526 — Radar apparatus, radio navigational aid apparatus and radio remote con…
- 8527 — Reception apparatus for radio-broadcasting, whether or not combined, i…
- 8528 — Monitors and projectors, not incorporating television reception appara…
- 8529 — Transmission apparatus; parts suitable for use solely or principally w…
- 8530 — Signalling, safety or traffic control equipment; for railways, tramway…
- 8531 — Signalling apparatus; electric sound or visual (e.g. bells, sirens, in…
- 8532 — Electrical capacitors; fixed, variable or adjustable (pre-set)
- 8533 — Electrical resistors (including rheostats and potentiometers), excludi…
- 8534 — Circuits; printed
- 8535 — Electrical apparatus for switching, protecting electrical circuits, fo…
- 8536 — Electrical apparatus for switching, protecting electrical circuits, fo…
- 8537 — Boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets, bases with apparatus of hea…
- 8538 — Electrical apparatus; parts suitable for use solely or principally wit…
- 8539 — Lamps; electric filament or discharge lamps, including sealed beam lam…
- 8540 — Thermionic, cold cathode or photo-cathode valves and tubes (e.g. vacuu…
- 8541 — Semiconductor devices (e.g. diodes, transistors, semiconductor based t…
- 8542 — Electronic integrated circuits
- 8543 — Electrical machines and apparatus; having individual functions, not sp…
- 8544 — Insulated wire, cable and other electric conductors, connector fitted …
- 8545 — Carbon electrodes, carbon brushes, lamp carbons, battery carbons and o…
- 8546 — Electrical insulators of any material
- 8547 — Insulating fittings; for electrical machines, appliances, equipment, e…
- 8548 — Electrical parts of machinery or apparatus; not specified or elsewhere…