Guidance

Classifying electrical equipment for import and export

Get help to classify electrical equipment such as communication equipment, cameras, and their parts and accessories.

• From: HM Revenue & Customs
• Published: 21 July 2021
• Last updated: 7 August 2023 — See all updates

This guidance refers to chapters and headings in the UK Integrated Online Tariff. If you’re importing goods into Northern Ireland, or if this guidance does not include your item, read the last section ‘More information’.

Most electrical goods are classified under chapter 85. There are exceptions, such as computers which are classified under chapter 84. Find out more about classifying computers and software.

All goods classified within chapter 85 are considered to be ‘machines’ for classification purposes.

Wireless charging plates and pads

These products are designed to wirelessly charge a variety of electrical apparatus. They convert (rectify) alternating current into direct current and transfer it to a charging plate. The current is then converted back to alternating current which is then converted into an electromagnetic field.

Wireless charging plates are classified to commodity code 8504 40 95 90.

Smartphones and communication apparatus

Smartphones and other mobile phones are classified under subheading 8517 13.

The following subheadings cover other apparatus used to transmit or receive voice, images or other data, including apparatus for communication in a wired or wireless network (such as a local or wide area network):

• 8517 61
• 8517 62
• 8517 69

Subheading 8517 62

This also covers machines used to:

• receive voice, images or other data
• convert and transmit voice, images or other data
• regenerate voice, images or other data

Machines that convert a signal from one format to another must:

• be solely used to allow a signal to be received or transmitted
• use a communication interface, such as an RJ-45 interface

These products include:

• Bluetooth headsets, used solely or principally with mobile phones and smartphones — they enable the user to answer, end and dial calls (for example, redial the last call)
• Bluetooth wireless speaker adapters which allow a user to listen to music from a smartphone, on a home audio system or through separate speakers

Video converters and similar products are classified in heading 8543 if they do not transmit a signal through a communication interface. Read section ‘Video converters’.

Soundbars

A sound reproducer of audio files of various formats from various interfaces designed to create surround sound and stereo effects. This includes Bluetooth and WiFi network connectivity. They can be used with another sound reproducer or a TV and can reproduce audio files stored on USB flash memory or an Internet radio.

These products are classified under subheading 8519 89.

Cameras

Heading 8525 has been restructured to include new subheadings, covered under the description ‘television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders’. The new subheadings include:

8525 81, high-speed goods

This will only cover high-speed television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders, having one or more of the following characteristics:

• a writing speed exceeding 0.5mm per microsecond
• time resolution of 50 nanoseconds or less
• frame rate exceeding 225,000 frames per second

8525 82, other, radiation-hardened or radiation-tolerant goods

This will cover goods designed or shielded to enable operation in a high-radiation environment:

8525 83, other, night vision goods

This will cover night vision goods which use a photocathode to convert available light to electrons, which can be amplified and converted to yield a visible image.

8525 89 other

This will cover other goods not covered by other subheadings, including (generally) thermal imaging cameras.

Drones

Remotely controlled apparatus for capturing and recording video and still images, which are specifically designed to be used with drones, are classified under heading 8525.

Drones, including drones fitted with apparatus for capturing or recording video and still images, are classified under heading 8806. This covers unmanned aircraft, and parts are covered by heading 8807.

Flying toys designed solely for amusement purposes are classified under heading 9503.

Monitors with no TV receiver

Monitors capable of directly connecting to (and designed for use with) an automatic data-processing machine that is classified under heading 8471, are classified under subheading 8528 52.

For other monitors (classified under commodity code 8528 52 99), you must determine if the monitor is both:

• capable of directly connecting to a computer of heading 8471
• designed for use with a computer of heading 8471

To do this, an overall assessment of a monitors characteristics needs to be made. Monitors are likely to be classified under subheading 8528 52, if they include:

• interfaces characteristic with computer systems, such as:
  • RS-232
  • RS-422
  • RJ-45
  • 8P8C
  • HDMI
  • D-Sub
  • DVI
  • VGA
• aspect ratio of 4:3
• small pixel pitch suitable for close proximity viewing
• small screen size of 30 inches or less
• low brightness
• ergonomic design characteristics to assist prolonged periods of close viewing, such as a glare-free surface, tilt, swivel and height adjusting mechanisms

If the monitor is capable of directly connecting to a computer and is designed for use with one, a decision needs to be made on which commodity code within subheading 8528 52 applies.

Monitors solely or principally used in an automatic data processing system that is classified under heading 8471, are classified under commodity code 8528 52 10.

Monitors designed to be used in a computer system (comprising at least a central processing unit, an input and output unit), with no other use or purpose, are usually classified under commodity code 8528 52 10.

Monitors with a screen of the liquid crystal display (LCD) technology are classified under commodity code 8528 52 91.

A monitor may be intended for a specific purpose, such as medical systems to display clinical data or navigation systems to display data. If a monitor directly connects to a computer and is designed for use with one, it’s not considered to be solely or principally used with a computer system of heading 8471. Therefore, it is classified under commodity codes 8528 52 91 or 8528 52 99, depending on the technology (for example, if it has an LCD display).

Monitors that are not capable of connecting to a computer of heading 8471 and are not designed for use with one are classified under subheading 8528 59. They:

• may be connected directly to a video camera or recorder by means of composite video, s-video or co-axial cables
• do not include connectors that are characteristic of computer systems
• are not designed for close proximity viewing
• may have a direct connection with a computer but are designed specifically for use with, for example, a DVD player or recorder, so are not designed for use with a computer

Products with a USB interface designed only, for example, for the transfer of media files or for reproducing audio or video from a USB memory stick, are classified under subheading 8528 59.

Flat panel display modules

Flat panel display modules are classified under heading 8524, whether they incorporate touch-sensitive screens or not.

LED and LCD video walls

LED (light emitting diode) walls intended for outdoor viewing comprise several modules made of tiles. Each tile contains red, green and blue LED’s. They also have a video processor and a signal processor, allowing signal inputs and scaling of images and video to be displayed. They are classified under commodity code 8528 52 99.

A LED tile, whether connected to other tiles, that does not include a video processor, is classified as a part of a monitor under commodity code 8529 90 92. This is because the tile cannot display video images directly originating from video source and can only display signals originating from a dedicated video processor.

LCD walls intended for indoor viewing which incorporate a computer are classified under commodity code 8528 52 91.

E-book readers

These products are classified under commodity code 8543 70 05. This applies if they do or do not include translation or dictionary functions.

Electronic Cigarettes

Electronic cigarettes are classified under subheading 8543 40. This covers electronic cigarettes and similar personal electric vaporising devices.

Disposable electronic cigarettes and similar disposable personal electric vaporising devices, not capable of being refilled or recharged, are classified to heading 2404.

Laser skin treatment apparatus

This apparatus performs various treatments by laser including:

• hair removal
• treatment for face and leg vein
• sun spots and cosmetic rejuvenation

Apparatus can be used by professional medical practitioners and by non-medical personnel in beauty parlours, and is classified under commodity code 8543 70 90.

Video Converters

Products which convert a video signal from one format to another, for example, SDI to HMDI, which do not transmit a signal through a communication interface, are classified under commodity code 8543 70 90.

This is because they’re performing a video conversion, not a communication function of heading 8517.

Cables fitted with connectors

Commodity code 8544 42 10 covers products used for telecommunications, including those used in telecommunications networks, such as to connect a computer with a modem.

Products excluded from this subheading include (but are not limited to) products:

• that connect non-telecommunication apparatus, such as a DVD player with a monitor
• inserted into machines to connect internal parts of the machine
• that only supply power

Parts of electrical equipment

Parts are items that are essential to the operation of a product.

Parts of the goods of chapters 84 and 85 are covered by legally binding note 2 to section XVI of the tariff and must be suitable for use solely or principally with a product.

Note 2 applies, subject to the exclusions listed in note 1 to section XVI, chapter 84 and chapter 85.

Note 2 (a)

A product identified as part of a machine, which is covered by a ‘complete goods’ heading of chapters 84 or 85, should be classified in that heading. This is whether the part is designed for a specific machine and with the exception of the following headings, which cover parts or both parts and accessories:

• 8409
• 8431
• 8448
• 8466
• 8473
• 8487
• 8503
• 8522
• 8529
• 8538
• 8548

Many headings in section XVI have a subheading covering parts. Alternatively, some headings, for example 8529, covers parts of the goods of several headings.

Note 2 (b)

Other parts should be classified with the machines of that kind, if they are suitable for use either:

• only or mainly with a particular kind of machine
• with a number of machines of the same heading (including a machine of heading 8479 or 8543)

They can also be classified under the following headings:

• 8409
• 8431
• 8448
• 8466
• 8473
• 8503
• 8522
• 8529
• 8538

Parts which are equally suitable for use principally with the goods of headings 8517 and 8525 to 8528, should be classified under heading 8517.

Parts which are suitable for use solely or principally with the goods of heading 8524 are to be classified in heading 8529.

Most parts that do not meet the criteria of note 2(a) will be classified in the respective parts heading or subheading.

Note 2 (c)

All other parts should be classified under the following headings:

• 8409
• 8431
• 8448
• 8466
• 8473
• 8487
• 8503
• 8522
• 8529
• 8538
• 8548

Accessories of electrical equipment

Accessories are items that are not essential to the operation of a product but perform an additional function or service. They must be suitable for use solely or principally with a product. There are no legal notes that cover accessories of section XVI.

Accessories are interchangeable parts or devices designed to:

• adapt a machine for a particular operation
• perform a particular service relative to the main function of the machine
• increase its range of functions

The only headings within section XVI that include accessories are:

• 8448, which includes accessories of goods classified under headings:
  • 8444
  • 8445
  • 8446
  • 8447
  • 8448
• 8466, which includes accessories of goods classified under headings 8456 to 8465
• 8473, which includes accessories of goods classified under headings:
  • 8470
  • 8471
  • 8472
• 8522, which includes accessories of goods classified under headings 8519 and 8521

All other accessories will not be classified within chapter 84 or 85, unless the accessory meets the terms of a heading in those chapters.

Composite machines and multi-function apparatus

Find information on classifying composite machines and multi-function apparatus.

Electrical Waste and Scrap

Heading 8549 covers electrical and electronic waste and scrap.

More information

If this guidance does not cover your specific item in detail and you’re importing goods into Great Britain, you can search for it in the UK Integrated Online Tariff.

If you’re importing goods into Northern Ireland from outside the UK and the EU, and the goods are:

• not ‘at risk’ of onward movement to the EU, you should also use the Online Trade Tariff.
• at risk of onward movement to the EU, you should use the Northern Ireland Online Tariff.

If this guidance does cover your item, you’ll still need to find the full commodity code to use in your declaration on the appropriate tariff.

You can find more ways to help you find a commodity code by referring to the links given in this section.

Published 21 July 2021
Last updated 7 August 2023 + show all updates

1. 7 August 2023

   This page has been updated at under the heading 'Drones' with the latest classified heading numbers for drones and unmanned aircraft.

2. 30 March 2023

   Updated to include new headings 8524 (flat panel display modules) and 8549 (electronic waste and scrap), and new subheading 8517 62 (smartphones). Updated to reflect changes to heading 8525 (cameras), heading 8806 (drones) and subheading 8543 40 (electronic cigarettes).

3. 21 July 2021

   First published.