HS Code 8540: Thermionic, cold cathode or photo-cathode valves and tubes (e.g. vacuum, vapour, gas filled valves and tubes, mercury arc rectifying valves and tubes, cathode-ray and television camera tubes)

Q: Is HS code 8540 the same in every country?

Yes — HS code 8540 is part of the WCO Harmonized System and is the same in every WCO member country at the 6-digit level. Beyond 6 digits, each country extends the code under its own system (e.g. HTSUS in the US, CN/TARIC in the EU, HSK in Korea, CCCHS in China) for national tariff rates and trade statistics. To see how a specific country classifies this code, select a country.

Q: Which WCO edition does HS code 8540 belong to, and has it been reclassified?

The Harmonized System is maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO) and revised approximately every five years. The current edition is HS 2022, which replaced HS 2017 on 1 January 2022. Codes are added, merged, or split between editions to reflect new products and trade patterns, so a code valid in one edition may not exist or may mean something different in another.

Q: How do I find the correct country-specific version of HS code 8540?

Beyond the international 6-digit level, each country adds its own digits — the US extends to 10 digits (HTSUS), the EU to 8 or 10 (CN/TARIC), China to 13 (CCCHS), Korea to 10 (HSK), Japan to 9, and so on. To find the full code used by a specific country, select a country in TradeInt's HS Code Tool and search for 8540.

What is HS Code 8540

HS Code 8540 covers Thermionic, cold cathode or photo-cathode valves and tubes (e.g. vacuum, vapour, gas filled valves and tubes, mercury arc rectifying valves and tubes, cathode-ray and television camera tubes). It is a 4-digit heading within Chapter 85 (Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recordersand reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts andaccessories of such articles), Section XVI. Its 6-digit subheadings are identical in every HS-adopting country; from the 7th digit onward, each country extends the code for its own tariff and statistics.

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What does HS Code 8540 Thermionic, cold cathode or photo-cathode valves and tubes (e.g. vacuum, vapour, gas filled valves and tubes, mercury arc rectifying valves and tubes, cathode-ray and television camera tubes) Cover?

Section XVI

Chapters (84-85) Machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment; parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles

Chapter 85

Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recordersand reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts andaccessories of such articles

HS Code 8540

Thermionic, cold cathode or photo-cathode valves and tubes (e.g. vacuum, vapour, gas filled valves and tubes, mercury arc rectifying valves and tubes, cathode-ray and television camera tubes)

HS Code 854060

Tubes; cathode ray, n.e.c. in heading no. 8540

HS Code 854091

Tubes; parts of cathode-ray tubes

HS Code 854099

Valves and tubes; parts of the valves and tubes of heading no. 8540, excluding parts of cathode-ray tubes

HS Code 854011

Tubes; cathode-ray television picture tubes, including video monitor cathode-ray tubes, colour

HS Code 854012

Tubes; cathode-ray television picture tubes, including video monitor cathode-ray tubes, monochrome

HS Code 854020

Tubes; television camera tubes, image converters and intensifiers, other photo-cathode tubes

HS Code 854040

Tubes; data/graphic display tubes, monochrome; data/graphic display tubes, colour, with a phosphor dot screen pitch smaller than 0.4mm

HS Code 854071

Tubes; microwave, magnetrons, excluding grid-controlled tubes

HS Code 854079

Tubes; microwave (for example klystrons, travelling wave tubes, carlinotrons), excluding magnetrons and grid-controlled tubes

HS Code 854081

Valves and tubes; receiver or amplifier

HS Code 854089

Valves and tubes; n.e.c. in heading no. 8540

Click any HS code above to see live 2026 latest Cathode Ray Tubes trade data including exporters, importers, and shipment volumes.

What HS Codes for Electrical Machinery Do Not Cover

Chapter 85 covers electrical machinery, equipment, recorded media, and parts. Goods frequently misclassified here but that belong elsewhere include:

Electrically heated blankets, pads, foot-muffs

Chapter 63

Electric medical instruments (X-ray, ECG, MRI)

Chapter 90

Electric vehicles

Chapter 87

Electric lamps and lighting fittings

heading 9405

This list highlights common classification errors only — it is not exhaustive. For binding classification, work with a licensed customs broker or qualified trade compliance professional.

Related HS Codes under Cathode Ray Tubes HS 8540

HS Code 854011

Tubes; cathode-ray television picture tubes, including video monitor cathode-ray tubes, colour

HS Code 854012

Tubes; cathode-ray television picture tubes, including video monitor cathode-ray tubes, monochrome

HS Code 854020

Tubes; television camera tubes, image converters and intensifiers, other photo-cathode tubes

HS Code 854040

Tubes; data/graphic display tubes, monochrome; data/graphic display tubes, colour, with a phosphor dot screen pitch smaller than 0.4mm

HS Code 854060

Tubes; cathode ray, n.e.c. in heading no. 8540

HS Code 854071

Tubes; microwave, magnetrons, excluding grid-controlled tubes

HS Code 854079

Tubes; microwave (for example klystrons, travelling wave tubes, carlinotrons), excluding magnetrons and grid-controlled tubes

HS Code 854081

Valves and tubes; receiver or amplifier

HS Code 854089

Valves and tubes; n.e.c. in heading no. 8540

HS Code 854091

Tubes; parts of cathode-ray tubes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HS code 8540?

HS code 8540 covers Thermionic, cold cathode or photo-cathode valves and tubes (e.g. vacuum, vapour, gas filled valves and tubes, mercury arc rectifying valves and tubes, cathode-ray and television camera tubes), a heading within Chapter 85 (Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recordersand reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts andaccessories of such articles) of the WCO Harmonized System. Headings sit between the broad chapter level and the more specific 6-digit subheading level.

Is HS code 8540 the same in every country?

Which WCO edition does HS code 8540 belong to, and has it been reclassified?

How do I find the correct country-specific version of HS code 8540?