HS Code Category

HS Code Candidates for Electronics

Use this page to prepare candidate HS headings, product facts, material and function variants, invoice descriptions, ecommerce catalog fields, and risk flags before official review.

Use HS Code Finder Check CSV Catalog Read Methodology

Answer summary

Product facts to verify

Main material and fiber or chemical composition
Construction: knitted, woven, molded, assembled
Function and intended use
Whether it includes electronics, battery, magnets, leather, or textile
Country of origin and destination market

Use this tool

HS Code Finder Commercial Invoice CSV Catalog Checker

Source note

Candidates are preparation aids only. Verify final code in USITC HTS, EU TARIC, or the destination tariff database before filing.

Last reviewed

2026-08-02

Candidate headings table

Review candidates

The table below lists candidate HS headings for electronics. Each row is a starting point, not a final classification; verify in the destination tariff database before filing.

Code	Heading	Use when
`8544.42`	Insulated wire, cable, with connectors	USB, HDMI, audio, or other insulated cables fitted with connectors on at least one end.
`8504.40`	Static converters (chargers, adapters)	AC adapters, USB power adapters, and voltage converters that do not store energy.
`8507.60`	Lithium-ion accumulators	Standalone power banks or replacement lithium-ion cells; verify watt-hour rating.
`8518.30`	Headphones and earphones	Wired or wireless headphones, earphones, and headsets, including Bluetooth models.
`8518.22`	Multiple loudspeakers, mounted in the same enclosure	Bluetooth speakers, smart speakers, and similar multi-driver audio devices.
`8517.62`	Machines for the reception, conversion, and transmission of voice/images	Wireless adapters, network hubs, and reception / conversion devices not falling under telephone sets.
`8525.81`	Cameras capable of capturing > 30,000 frames per second or high-resolution stills	High-speed cameras and certain industrial cameras; verify the national extension for the camera type.
`9405.40`	Other electric lamps and lighting fittings	LED lamps, desk lamps, and other electric lighting fittings not for vehicle or medical use.

National extensions after the 6-digit heading vary by destination market. Verify the full national code in USITC HTS, EU TARIC, or UK Trade Tariff before filing.

Decision tree

How to classify electronics

Step 1: Identify function

Charger, cable, power bank, headphone, speaker, lamp, camera, hub.

Step 2: Pick the heading family

Cables 8544; chargers and adapters 8504; audio 8518; reception / conversion 8517; cameras 8525; lighting 9405.

Step 3: Check for battery and RF

Built-in battery triggers dangerous goods; Bluetooth / Wi-Fi / cellular triggers destination RF approval.

Step 4: Apply the national extension

Open USITC HTS, EU TARIC, or UK Trade Tariff and confirm the 10-digit code.

Step 5: Document on the invoice

Use a strong description: function + key spec + output. Avoid generic words such as accessory, electronic, gadget.

Step 6: Save the classification note

Write a short note explaining function, key spec, candidate code, origin, and any RF or battery review.

Material variants

How material changes the code

Material	Typical heading	Notes
Plastic-housed adapter	8504.40	Common wall adapter; verify whether the output is DC or AC and the watt rating.
Braided cable with metal connectors	8544.42	Durable consumer cable; verify whether the cable is data-only or data-plus-power.
Aluminum-housed speaker	8518.22	Bluetooth speaker with metal housing; function drives heading, not material.
Silicone-housed earbuds	8518.30	Function is headphone; material is for build quality, not classification.
Glass-housed lamp	9405.40	Decorative LED lamp; function is lighting, not glassware.
Mixed-material hub	8517.62 / 8504.40	USB hub or network hub; function and connectors drive the heading.

Function and use-case variants

How function changes the code

Function	Typical heading	Notes
Power adapter or charger	8504.40	Wall charger, USB power adapter, voltage converter; verify watt rating.
Power bank	8507.60	Standalone lithium-ion accumulator; dangerous goods rules apply.
USB or HDMI cable	8544.42	Insulated cable with connectors; verify whether data-only or data-plus-power.
Wireless earbuds or headphones	8518.30	Bluetooth audio output device; function drives the heading.
Bluetooth speaker	8518.22	Multi-driver speaker in one enclosure; function drives the heading.
LED lamp or lighting fixture	9405.40	Electric lamp; verify whether the product is a bulb or a fixture.

Risk flags

Source-check required

Flag	Impact on classification	Where to verify
Lithium battery in the device	Devices with built-in lithium batteries trigger dangerous goods shipping rules and may shift classification.	IATA DGR, 49 CFR, destination battery rules.
Radio-frequency device approval	Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular devices require destination RF approvals.	FCC (US), RED (EU), UK PSTI, MIC (Japan), destination telecom authority.
Power and voltage compatibility	Adapters and chargers may be voltage-specific; verify the destination voltage and plug standard.	Destination consumer safety authority, IEC plug standards.
Brand and trademark restrictions	Some brands restrict parallel imports; verify destination rules before quoting.	Destination IP authority, brand owner policy.
Country of origin	Section 301 additional tariff may apply on top of base duty for China-origin electronics.	USTR Section 301 list, USITC HTS.
Warranty and support coverage	Destination warranty rules may require local support or registration for electronics.	Destination consumer protection rules.

Risk flags signal the need for official review before the candidate code is used on customs documents.

Invoice description examples

Strong descriptions

Strong invoice descriptions include material, function, product type, and key components (battery, electronics, magnet, leather, textile). Avoid generic words such as gift, sample, accessory, or product. The descriptions below are examples only, not final classifications.

USB-C to USB-C insulated charging cable, 1 m, with connectors
USB power adapter, 20 W, USB-C output, no built-in cable
Lithium-ion power bank, 10000 mAh, 37 Wh, USB-C output
Wireless Bluetooth earphones, in-ear, with charging case
Bluetooth portable speaker, 10 W, rechargeable
LED desk lamp, 10 W, USB-C input, no battery

Use these descriptions on the commercial invoice line item, with the candidate HS code and country of origin declared per line.

Ecommerce catalog fields

Shopify, WooCommerce, and CSV fields to check

Before labels and invoices are generated, prepare these fields in your ecommerce catalog. The CSV Catalog Checker scans Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, or custom CSV exports for missing customs fields locally in your browser.

Field	Why it matters
SKU	Stable identifier; survives product title edits; maps catalog row to invoice line.
Product title	Marketing label; should match but not replace the customs description.
Function (charger / cable / speaker / lamp / camera / hub)	Drives the chapter 85 vs 94 split; function must be on the invoice.
Includes battery?	Boolean flag; gates dangerous goods review and heading choice.
Includes radio-frequency function?	Boolean flag; gates destination RF approval requirements.
Output wattage or rating	Drives the cable / charger / adapter sub-heading; must be on the invoice.
Connector type and count	Drives the cable and hub sub-heading; must be on the invoice.
Country of origin	Drives Section 301 additional tariff and RF approval requirements.
Candidate HS code	Working candidate from the AI HS Code Finder; never a final classification.
Customs description	Strong description (function + key spec + output) used on the commercial invoice.
Unit value and currency	Customs value input; affects duty base and de minimis treatment.
Quantity per inner pack / case	Supports packing list cross-check and dangerous goods aggregation.
Destination market	Pick the correct national tariff database for verification (USITC HTS, EU TARIC, UK Trade Tariff).

Pair this with the Commercial Invoice Generator, the HS Code Finder, and the CSV Catalog Checker.

Worked example

Worked example: classifying a $15 USB-C charging cable

Scenario: A consumer-electronics merchant lists a 1 m USB-C to USB-C charging cable at a unit value of $4, FOB Shenzhen, MOQ 1,000 units, sold to US buyers. The merchant needs a candidate HS code and a commercial invoice draft.

Step 1: identify the product facts. Function is charging cable; insulation is PVC; connectors are USB-C on both ends; length is 1 m; supports data and power.
Step 2: pick the closest candidate heading. Insulated wire, cable, with connectors fall under 8544.42. The merchant uses 8544.42 as a working candidate and verifies the national extension in USITC HTS.
Step 3: confirm the function. The description "USB-C to USB-C insulated charging cable, 1 m, with connectors" matches the candidate; no chapter shift is expected.
Step 4: confirm origin and additional tariff. Origin is China; the merchant checks the USTR Section 301 list for the current rate on 8544.42.
Step 5: write the invoice description. Use "USB-C to USB-C insulated charging cable, 1 m, with connectors" so the description matches the candidate.
Step 6: document the basis. Keep a short note: function charging cable, insulation PVC, connectors USB-C, candidate 8544.42, country of origin China.

Final classification depends on product facts, destination tariff rules, and official review. The candidate is preparation aid only.

Common mistakes

What to avoid

Classifying all electronics under one heading without checking function.
Treating a cable and a charger as the same heading family.
Forgetting watt-hour rating on the commercial invoice for power banks.
Treating the heading number as final without verifying the national extension.
Missing Section 301 additional tariff for China-origin electronics.
Reusing one HS code across charger, cable, speaker, and lamp functions.
Ignoring destination RF approval requirements for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices.

Continue with a specific electronics category

USB Cable HS Codes

Separate data and charging cables from wall chargers and adapters.

Phone Charger HS Codes

Review static converters, wireless pads, car chargers, and charging cables.

Power Bank HS Codes

Record battery chemistry, capacity, nominal voltage, and watt-hours.

Bluetooth Earphone HS Codes

Review the earphones, microphone, charging case, and radio function.

LED Lamp HS Codes

Separate replaceable LED lamps from complete lighting fittings.

Related Tools

Continue the workflow

Editorial

About this category page

Written by the TariffCatalog Editorial Team. Maintained by Ryan Cole and reviewed for candidate-only customs-data workflow clarity.

This page follows TariffCatalog's methodology for candidate-only classification, estimate-only calculators, and document draft workflows. Candidates are preparation aids, not binding classifications.

Methodology Sources Report an error

Maintainer

Reviewed by Ryan Cole

Ryan Cole maintains TariffCatalog from the perspective of a long-time ecommerce operator with 15+ years of experience in product catalog, international shipping, and pre-shipment data workflows. This page is reviewed for candidate-only HS code preparation, source-check clarity, and estimate-only or candidate-only wording.

TariffCatalog is a preparation aid, not a customs broker, legal, tax, or freight-forwarding service. Verify final classifications, rates, documents, and filing treatment with official sources or qualified professionals.

Last reviewed: August 2026 · Maintainer entity: Ryan Cole · Source policy: verified against official customs and tariff sources

Official Source Note

Check final codes

USITC HTS

Verify candidate headings and destination-specific extensions.

CBP

Verify candidate headings and destination-specific extensions.

EU TARIC

Verify candidate headings and destination-specific extensions.

UK Trade Tariff

Verify candidate headings and destination-specific extensions.

FAQ

Common questions

Are these HS code candidates binding?

No. The headings on this page are candidates, preparation aids based on common product facts. Final classification depends on function, key specification, destination tariff rules, and any binding ruling in effect. Verify the final code in USITC HTS, EU TARIC, UK Trade Tariff, or the destination tariff database before filing.

Why does function change the HS code for an electronic accessory?

HS classification for electronics is driven by function. Cables fall under 8544; chargers and adapters fall under 8504; audio devices fall under 8518; reception / conversion devices fall under 8517; cameras fall under 8525; lighting falls under 9405. The function drives the heading, not the brand positioning.

Why does watt-hour rating matter for power banks?

Watt-hour rating drives air shipping class under IATA DGR. Power banks under 100 Wh are usually Section II; over 100 Wh need carrier approval; over 160 Wh are restricted on passenger aircraft. The watt-hour rating must be declared on the commercial invoice and the air waybill.

Does the destination require RF approval for Bluetooth devices?

Yes. Most destinations require RF approval for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular devices. The approval is destination-specific and must be obtained before import. The candidate heading is separate from the RF approval; both are required.

Do electronics need HS codes on the commercial invoice?

Most courier, freight, and broker channels expect an HS code candidate on the commercial invoice. Postal channels may clear on a CN22 or CN23 without a full code. Even when the channel does not require a code, including a candidate speeds up clearance and supports duty and tax review.

Should a cable and a charger be classified separately?

Yes. Cables and chargers fall under different heading families: cables are 8544; chargers and adapters are 8504. A USB cable and a USB wall charger are not the same heading. Verify each function in the destination tariff before quoting.

Can I bulk-assign one HS code to my electronics catalog?

It depends on the variants. Products that share function, key specification, and origin can share one candidate. Products that change function (cable vs charger vs speaker) usually need a different candidate. The CSV Catalog Checker flags these patterns in bulk.

When should I ask a broker or RF specialist?

Ask a licensed broker or RF regulatory specialist when the product is regulated (RF approval, lithium battery), high-value, repeatedly shipped, or ambiguous in classification. A one-time consultation or a written opinion can pay back many times over for a catalog that ships the same electronics family across many orders.

Last reviewed: 2026-08-02

Disclaimer

TariffCatalog provides candidate HS code suggestions, estimate-only calculators, and document drafts. Verify final classifications, duty rates, document requirements, and filing obligations with official sources, carriers, brokers, or destination authorities before filing or shipping.

Candidate headings on this page are preparation aids, not binding classifications. Final classification depends on exact product facts and the destination tariff rules in effect on the entry date.