HS Code 8549: Electrical and electronic waste and scrap

Q: Is HS code 8549 the same in every country?

Yes — HS code 8549 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 8549 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 8549?

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 8549.

What is HS Code 8549

HS Code 8549 covers Electrical and electronic waste and scrap. 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.

Explore global 2026 latest import export trade data and shipment records for Electrical Waste and Scrap on TradeInt global trade data platform

What does HS Code 8549 Electrical and electronic waste and scrap 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 8549

Electrical and electronic waste and scrap

HS Code 854911

Waste and scrap of lead-acid accumulators; spent lead-acid accumulators

HS Code 854912

Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, containing lead, cadmium or mercury, other than lead-acid accumulators

HS Code 854913

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

HS Code 854914

Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, unsorted and not containing lead, cadmium or mercury

HS Code 854919

Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, n.e.c. in item no 8549.1

HS Code 854921

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

HS Code 854929

Waste and scrap; of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metal n.e.c. in item no 8549.21

HS Code 854931

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

HS Code 854939

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

HS Code 854991

Waste and scrap; n.e.c. in heading no 8549

HS Code 854999

Waste and scrap; n.e.c. in item no 8549.91

Click any HS code above to see live 2026 latest Electrical Waste and Scrap 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 Electrical Waste and Scrap HS 8549

HS Code 854911

Waste and scrap of lead-acid accumulators; spent lead-acid accumulators

HS Code 854912

Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, containing lead, cadmium or mercury, other than lead-acid accumulators

HS Code 854913

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

HS Code 854914

Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, unsorted and not containing lead, cadmium or mercury

HS Code 854919

Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, n.e.c. in item no 8549.1

HS Code 854921

HS Code 854929

Waste and scrap; of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metal n.e.c. in item no 8549.21

HS Code 854931

HS Code 854939

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

HS Code 854991

Waste and scrap; n.e.c. in heading no 8549

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HS code 8549?

HS code 8549 covers Electrical and electronic waste and scrap, 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 8549 the same in every country?

Which WCO edition does HS code 8549 belong to, and has it been reclassified?

How do I find the correct country-specific version of HS code 8549?