HS Code 8518Microphones and their stands; loudspeakers, mounted or not in their enclosures; headphones and earphones, combined or not with a microphone, and sets of a microphone and one or more loudspeakers; audio-frequency and electric sound amplifiers and sets

What HS code 8518 covers

Think of this heading as the sound-in and sound-out group. It holds the device that picks up sound, the device that plays it, and the gear that makes it louder. Microphones and their stands sit here. So do loudspeakers, headphones, earphones and electric sound amplifiers.

The heading belongs to the electrical machinery part of the tariff. Devices that only record or replay sound are placed elsewhere, and a later section shows where.

The wording of each six-digit code decides the match. Read the code text before you choose, not just the heading text.

How to choose the right 8518 code

Start with what the product does. Each six-digit code is a narrow slot, and customs reads the text of that slot.

For microphones, use 851810. It also takes the stands made for them.

For speakers, look at the box. One speaker mounted in its box goes to 851821. Two or more speakers sharing one box go to 851822. A speaker unit sold without a box goes to 851829.

For headsets, use 851830. Headphones and earphones fit here whether or not a microphone is attached. A set made of a microphone and one or more loudspeakers fits here too.

For amplifiers, ask if you have one unit or a set. A plain audio-frequency amplifier goes to 851840. A full electric sound amplifier set goes to 851850.

For spare parts, check 851890. A part that fits another heading should follow that other heading.

The dotted forms 8518.10 and 8518.30 are the same codes written with a point. Duty and tax rates are set by each country, so they are not listed here. Ask your local customs about the rate, and use the HS code classifier if you are unsure which code fits.

8518 vs related headings in Chapter 85

Buyers often mix up this heading and 8519. The difference is the job of the machine. Heading 8518 is for devices that pick up, play or boost sound.

Parts and accessories for recording and replaying machines go under 8522. Telephone sets and network apparatus go under 8517, even if they have a speaker or microphone inside. Radios go under 8527.

If an electrical product has its own function and no heading names it, look at 8543. Check it last, after the headings above.

HS 8518 import export data

EximDataX shows shipment-level import and export records from official customs sources. Coverage: 43 direct customs feeds plus 184 mirror-derived countries. Named buyers and named suppliers are available in 38 of the 43 direct markets. Most markets refresh weekly and some refresh daily.

You can search by HS code to see who imports and exports a product, and book a free demo. To work by country, start from the import data or export data pages. To find buyers or suppliers, use the buyer data or supplier data pages.