HS Code 8538Electrical apparatus; parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading no. 8535, 8536 and 8537
2 six-digit codes · Heading 37 of 48 in Chapter 85 · World Customs Organization Harmonized System
HS code 8538 covers parts for switchgear and electrical panels. These parts are made to go with the apparatus of headings 8535, 8536 and 8537.
Heading 8538 splits exactly two ways. Goods answering to “Electrical apparatus; parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading no. 8535, 8536 and 8537” classify either at 853810 or at 853890, and the wording in the table below is the whole of what separates them. The heading is number 37 of 48 in Chapter 85, Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles, which runs to 296 six-digit codes in all.
Six-digit codes under heading 8538
| HS Code | Import–export description |
|---|---|
| 853810 | Electrical apparatus; parts (e.g. boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets, other bases), for goods of heading no. 8537, not equipped with their apparatus |
| 853890 | Electrical apparatus; parts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading no. 8535, 8536 or 8537 |
What does HS code 8538 cover?
This heading is about parts, not finished machines. It names pieces that belong to other equipment. Some countries call the same number the HSN code 8538.
Picture a switchgear setup. Devices that switch and protect electrical circuits do the work. Boards, cabinets and bases hold them in place. Heading 8538 covers parts made solely or principally for this kit.
Three other headings tell you which apparatus the parts serve:
- Heading 8535: apparatus for switching and protecting circuits, and for making connections, at a voltage above 1000 volts.
- Heading 8536: the same kind of apparatus for a voltage not above 1000 volts, plus connectors for optical fibres.
- Heading 8537: boards, panels, consoles, desks and cabinets that carry this apparatus for electricity control and distribution.
HS 853810 vs 853890: which subheading applies?
Ask two questions. What is the part, and does it have its apparatus fitted?
Pick 853810 for boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets and other bases made for goods of heading 8537, when they are not equipped with their apparatus. Think of an empty shell. The box is there, but the switches are not.
Pick 853890 for everything else in the heading. That is the wider group. A part that serves the apparatus of 8535, 8536 or 8537 and is not an empty base usually lands here.
These are the international six-digit codes. Each country may add more digits for its own tariff, and duty and tax rates are set nationally for each line. To find the full code in your market, try our HS code classifier.
Is a switchboard cabinet without apparatus 8537 or 8538?
This is the most common mix-up. The answer depends on what is inside the cabinet.
An empty cabinet, panel or console goes to 853810. Once the apparatus is fitted, the finished unit for electricity control and distribution belongs in heading 8537.
If you are unsure, read the heading text for each one. Compare HS 8537 electrical control boards and panels with this page. Then look at HS 8536 switching apparatus up to 1000 V and HS 8535 switching apparatus above 1000 V.
Some electrical parts sit elsewhere. Insulators go to HS 8546 electrical insulators. Insulating fittings go to HS 8547 insulating fittings. Electrical parts named nowhere else in the chapter go to HS 8548 other electrical parts.
Import export data, buyers and suppliers for heading 8538
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 go further, browse import data by HS code, export data by HS code, buyer data and supplier data.
Related
- HS 8537 electrical control boards and panels
- HS 8536 switching apparatus up to 1000 V
- HS 8535 switching apparatus above 1000 V
- HS 8548 other electrical parts
- HS 8546 electrical insulators
- HS 8547 insulating fittings
- Chapter 85 electrical machinery HS codes
- All HS code chapters
- Import data by HS code
- Export data by HS code
- Find buyers of switchgear parts
- Find suppliers of switchgear parts
- HS code classifier
- Book a free demo
Nearby headings in Chapter 85
- 8532Electrical capacitors; fixed, variable or adjustable (pre-set)9 codes
- 8533Electrical resistors (including rheostats and potentiometers), excluding…7 codes
- 8534Circuits; printed1 code
- 8535Electrical apparatus for switching, protecting electrical circuits, for…6 codes
- 8536Electrical apparatus for switching, protecting electrical circuits, for…10 codes
- 8537Boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets, bases with apparatus of heading…2 codes
- 8539Lamps; electric filament or discharge lamps, including sealed beam lamp units…12 codes
- 8540Thermionic, cold cathode or photo-cathode valves and tubes (e.g. vacuum…11 codes
- 8541Semiconductor devices (e.g. diodes, transistors, semiconductor based…12 codes
- 8542Electronic integrated circuits5 codes
- 8543Electrical machines and apparatus; having individual functions, not specified…6 codes
- 8544Insulated wire, cable and other electric conductors, connector fitted or not…8 codes
Who ships under 8538?
EximDataX tracks the live import–export records filed under this heading and the 2 codes beneath it: named buyers, suppliers, quantities and values from official customs feeds.
Section XVI: Machinery, Electrical Equipment and Parts, chapters 84–85.
HS Code 8538: common questions
What is HS code 8538?
It is the heading for electrical parts made solely or principally for the apparatus of headings 8535, 8536 and 8537. It sits in Chapter 85, which covers electrical machinery and equipment.
What is the difference between HS 853810 and 853890?
853810 is for empty boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets and other bases for heading 8537 goods. 853890 is the wider group for other parts of that apparatus and of the apparatus in 8535 and 8536.
Is an empty switchboard cabinet classified under 8537 or 8538?
If it has no apparatus fitted, it goes to 853810 under 8538. With the apparatus fitted, it moves to 8537.
Which apparatus do 8538 parts belong to?
They serve switching and protecting apparatus above 1000 volts (8535), the same kind of apparatus up to 1000 volts (8536), and control and distribution boards (8537).
Does heading 8538 include finished switchgear?
No. Finished apparatus sits in 8535, 8536 or 8537. Heading 8538 holds only the parts made for it.
Can I see buyers and suppliers of 8538 goods?
Yes. Use the buyer data and supplier data pages, or book a free demo and ask for this heading.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
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