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HS 85Electronics

HS Code for Electronics (Chapter 85)

Chapter 85 covers electrical machinery, sound and image equipment. Most finished consumer electronics land under 8517, 8518, 8528 or 8471 - and many are duty-free in ITA-signatory markets, but VAT/GST still applies.

Reviewed against WCO HS · WTO IDB · National customs schedules3 authoritative sourcesLast reviewed July 2026

Sample 6-digit codes

CodeDescription
8517.13Smartphones
8471.30Portable digital computers ≤ 10kg (laptops)
8528.72Reception apparatus for television - LCD/LED TVs
8518.30Headphones and earphones
8504.40Static converters (power adapters, chargers)
8544.42Insulated cables with connectors ≤ 1,000V
Need to check a specific code? Use the free HS code lookup tool.

Typical import duty by market

MarketDuty
United States (MFN)
0% - 5%
ITA products duty-free; Section 301 China list may add 7.5%-25%.
European Union
0% - 14%
Most ICT goods 0% under ITA; large TVs at 14%.
India (BCD)
10% - 20%
Plus IGST 18% and cess on some categories; PMP for mobile phones.
UAE
0% - 5%
5% VAT applies.
Singapore
0%
GST 9% on import value.

Worked landed-cost example

500 smartphones (HS 8517.13), CIF Mumbai USD 200,000

Assessable valueUSD 200,000
BCD @ 20%USD 40,000
Social Welfare Surcharge @ 10% of BCDUSD 4,000
IGST @ 18% on (AV + BCD + SWS)USD 43,920
Landed cost ≈ USD 287,920 before clearing agent and inland freight.
Run your own numbers in the import duty & tax calculator.
Regulatory checkpoints
  • · Type approval / TEC / FCC / CE marking depending on market.
  • · RoHS and REACH compliance for EU/UK.
  • · WEEE / e-waste registration in EU, India (E-Waste Rules 2022), UAE.
  • · Battery declarations - UN 38.3 test summary and MSDS for lithium cells.
Top exporting countries
  • · China
  • · Vietnam
  • · South Korea
  • · Taiwan
  • · Malaysia
  • · Mexico

Frequently asked questions

Are laptops and phones duty-free?

Under the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA), most laptops and their parts are duty-free in signatory markets. India has moved away from the ITA on finished phones - BCD 20% applies. Always check the destination.

What about Section 301 tariffs on China-origin electronics?

US Section 301 List 3/4A adds 7.5%-25% on top of MFN duty for China-origin goods. Origin, not shipping port, is what matters. Non-preferential origin is set by substantial transformation.

Destination market toolkits

Country-specific duty, VAT/GST and Incoterms practice for the top destinations for electronics.

Import into India →
IGST on imports · 5% / 12% / 18% / 28%
Import into United Arab Emirates →
VAT · 5% standard
Import into Singapore →
GST · 9% standard (from 2024)
Import into China →
Import VAT · 13% standard, 9% reduced, 6% services
Import into United States →
No federal VAT / GST · 0% federal
Import into Germany →
VAT (Umsatzsteuer / Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) · 19% standard, 7% reduced

Electronics landed-cost pages: every destination market

Jump straight to the electronics import guide for any of the destination markets we cover.

Related commodity guides

HS 3818Electronics
HS Code for Semiconductor Wafers (HS 3818) →
HS 8501Electronics
Electric Motors (<=750W) - HS 8501 classification, duty and landed cost →
HS 8501Electronics
Electric Motors (Industrial) - HS 8501 classification, duty and landed cost →
HS 8504Electronics
Power Transformers - HS 8504 classification, duty and landed cost →

Related tools

HS Code Lookup →
Search harmonised codes across 21 sections.
Import Duty & Tax →
Landed cost with duty, VAT/GST and cess.
Landed Cost by HS & Country →
Duty + VAT/GST + Incoterm split for this HS.
CIF ↔ FOB Converter →
Convert customs value between Incoterms.

Sources & citations

Duty rates and regulations compiled from WCO HS, WTO integrated database, national customs authorities and published FTA schedules. Provided for decision-support only - confirm the 10-digit line and current preferential status with your licensed customs broker before acting.

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