What is HS-4 8549 for electronic waste?
Use this as a comparison hint, then confirm the final decision with legal notes and country-specific rules.
HS-4 · Heading
8549 — Electrical and electronic waste and scrap
Chapter 85: Electrical machinery and equipment
Plain-language overview
Use HS-4 8549 when importing or exporting electrical and electronic waste and scrap, such as spent lead-acid batteries or circuit boards. This heading covers various types of waste, primarily aimed at recycling and recovery.
When deciding among the HS-6 lines, consider the type of waste. For example, 854911 is specific to lead-acid accumulators, while 854912 includes other batteries with hazardous materials like cadmium or mercury. Knowing the chemical composition helps in selecting the correct code.
If your shipment consists of unsorted electronic waste, you might choose 854914 for batteries and accumulators that do not contain hazardous materials. In contrast, 854931 is for assemblies and circuit boards that are not primarily for precious metal recovery, which can affect tariff rates.
For waste aimed at precious metal recovery, 854921 is the right choice, covering items like mercury switches and CRT glass. If your materials don't fit neatly into these categories, consider 854919 or 854999, which are catch-all options for other types of electronic waste.
Keywords & topics
Useful terms traders and brokers use for this HS-4 heading.
HS-4 8549 · electronic waste · lead-acid batteries scrap · circuit board recycling · primary battery waste · hazardous waste codes · precious metal recovery · spent batteries · electrical assemblies scrap · waste classification HS-6
Examples
Drawn from the official tariff wording for this HS-4 heading. Always confirm against your published schedule and legal notes.
- Spent lead-acid batteries from vehicles
- Unsorted electronic assemblies from discarded devices
- Circuit boards from old computers
- Batteries containing cadmium or mercury
- Electrical waste aimed at precious metal recovery
- Lead-acid accumulators from industrial applications
- Mixed electronic scrap from consumer electronics
Common questions
Frequent classification questions with short practical guidance.
How to classify spent batteries for import?
Write down material, use, and product form first, then compare nearby lines before you lock the code.
What are the subheadings under HS-4 8549?
Use this as a comparison hint, then confirm the final decision with legal notes and country-specific rules.
Which HS-6 code for lead-acid battery scrap?
Use this as a comparison hint, then confirm the final decision with legal notes and country-specific rules.
How to handle electronic waste customs clearance?
Use this as a comparison hint, then confirm the final decision with legal notes and country-specific rules.
What is the difference between HS-6 854911 and 854912?
Use this as a comparison hint, then confirm the final decision with legal notes and country-specific rules.
Related topics
Common real-world topics that come up during code comparison.
how to classify electrical waste for import
Check the exact product specs and destination-country tariff notes before finalizing the code.
differences between HS-6 codes for batteries
Compare adjacent HS lines and pick the one that matches material, function, and product form most closely.
importing electronic scrap under HS-4 8549
Check the exact product specs and destination-country tariff notes before finalizing the code.
requirements for shipping lead-acid accumulators
Use this as a checklist topic, then confirm legal requirements with your broker or customs advisor.
understanding HS-6 subheadings for electronic waste
Use this topic to narrow your shortlist, then validate the final code against legal wording.
best practices for recycling electronic assemblies
Use this topic to narrow your shortlist, then validate the final code against legal wording.
customs regulations for hazardous battery waste
Check the exact product specs and destination-country tariff notes before finalizing the code.
what to include in electronic waste shipments
Use this topic to narrow your shortlist, then validate the final code against legal wording.
Questions & answers
For orientation only—the binding text is your national tariff and the WCO nomenclature your country uses.
- What types of materials fall under HS-4 8549?
- HS-4 8549 covers electrical and electronic waste, including spent batteries, circuit boards, and other scrap aimed at recovery and recycling.
- How do I choose the right HS-6 code for my shipment?
- Identify the specific type of waste or scrap you are shipping, focusing on chemical composition and intended recovery method to select the appropriate HS-6 code.
- Are there special regulations for importing electronic waste?
- Yes, electronic waste may be subject to specific environmental regulations and customs requirements, especially if it contains hazardous materials.
- What is the difference between HS-6 854921 and HS-6 854931?
- HS-6 854921 is for waste used primarily for precious metal recovery, while HS-6 854931 covers assemblies and circuit boards not primarily aimed at precious metal recovery.
- Can I use HS-4 8549 for mixed electronic scrap?
- Yes, mixed electronic scrap can be classified under HS-4 8549, but you should choose the most specific HS-6 code that matches the material composition.
- What does n.e.c. mean in HS-6 codes?
- n.e.c. stands for 'not elsewhere classified,' indicating that the item does not fit into the more specific categories listed in the heading.
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HS-6 subheadings (11)
- 854911Waste and scrap of lead-acid accumulators; spent lead-acid accumulators
- 854912Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, containing lead, cadmium or mercury, other than lead-acid accumulators
- 854913Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, sorted by chemical type and not containing lead, cadmium or mercury
- 854914Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, unsorted and not containing lead, cadmium or mercury
- 854919Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, n.e.c. in item no 8549.1
- 854921Electrical 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
- 854929Waste and scrap; of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metal n.e.c. in item no 8549.21
- 854931Electrical 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
- 854939Waste 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
- 854991Waste and scrap; n.e.c. in heading no 8549
- 854999Waste and scrap; n.e.c. in item no 8549.91