Chapter 85 covers electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles. This chapter is one of the most technology-intensive chapters in the HS classification, involving household appliances, electrical machinery, communication equipment, electronic components, etc. Vacuum cleaners, as household electrical appliances, are classified in this chapter rather than Chapter 84 (mechanical appliances) because their core function depends on electric motor drive. Heading 8508 covers vacuum cleaners, including electric vacuum cleaners (whether or not with a dust bag or dust container), wet and dry vacuum cleaners, carpet shampooers, etc. This heading is further subdivided by whether or not with self-contained electric motor: 8508.1 covers vacuum cleaners with self-contained electric motor, and 8508.6 covers other (e.g., manual or non-electric). 8508.19 covers other vacuum cleaners with self-contained electric motor, i.e., varieties other than 8508.11 (upright, horizontal, and other specific types). First 2 digits 85: indicates Chapter 85, i.e., electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles. Digits 3-4, 08: indicates heading 8508, i.e., vacuum cleaners. Digits 5-6, 19: indicates subheading 8508.19, i.e., other vacuum cleaners with self-contained electric motor. Under 8508.1, 8508.11 covers upright, horizontal, and other specific types of vacuum cleaners (usually referring to ordinary household vacuum cleaners), while 8508.19 covers all vacuum cleaners with self-contained electric motor other than 8508.11, such as industrial, commercial, central vacuum systems, robot vacuum cleaners, etc. The product is a vacuum cleaner with a self-contained electric motor, but it does not conform to the specific types described in 8508.11 (upright, horizontal, etc.), such as industrial vacuum cleaners, central vacuum systems, robot vacuum cleaners, etc., and is therefore classified under 8508.19. If it were a vacuum cleaner without an electric motor (e.g., manual pump type), it would be classified under 8508.60; if it were other household electrical appliances (e.g., floor polishers), it would be classified under 8509; if it were an air pump or vacuum pump, it would be classified under 8414.
Chapter
Chapter 85 covers electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles. This chapter is one of the most technology-intensive chapters in the HS classification, involving household appliances, electrical machinery, communication equipment, electronic components, etc. Vacuum cleaners, as household electrical appliances, are classified in this chapter rather than Chapter 84 (mechanical appliances) because their core function depends on electric motor drive.
Heading
Heading 8508 covers vacuum cleaners, including electric vacuum cleaners (whether or not with a dust bag or dust container), wet and dry vacuum cleaners, carpet shampooers, etc. This heading is further subdivided by whether or not with self-contained electric motor: 8508.1 covers vacuum cleaners with self-contained electric motor, and 8508.6 covers other (e.g., manual or non-electric). 8508.19 covers other vacuum cleaners with self-contained electric motor, i.e., varieties other than 8508.11 (upright, horizontal, and other specific types).
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 85: indicates Chapter 85, i.e., electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers, television image and sound recorders and reproducers, and parts and accessories of such articles. Digits 3-4, 08: indicates heading 8508, i.e., vacuum cleaners. Digits 5-6, 19: indicates subheading 8508.19, i.e., other vacuum cleaners with self-contained electric motor. Under 8508.1, 8508.11 covers upright, horizontal, and other specific types of vacuum cleaners (usually referring to ordinary household vacuum cleaners), while 8508.19 covers all vacuum cleaners with self-contained electric motor other than 8508.11, such as industrial, commercial, central vacuum systems, robot vacuum cleaners, etc.
Classification Basis
The product is a vacuum cleaner with a self-contained electric motor, but it does not conform to the specific types described in 8508.11 (upright, horizontal, etc.), such as industrial vacuum cleaners, central vacuum systems, robot vacuum cleaners, etc., and is therefore classified under 8508.19. If it were a vacuum cleaner without an electric motor (e.g., manual pump type), it would be classified under 8508.60; if it were other household electrical appliances (e.g., floor polishers), it would be classified under 8509; if it were an air pump or vacuum pump, it would be classified under 8414.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The Chinese and English names of the declared commodity, which should accurately reflect the product's attributes, such as 'other vacuum cleaners'. Use: Explain the main usage scenarios of the commodity, such as household, industrial, commercial, central vacuuming, etc. Brand: Fill in the brand of the commodity (e.g., Dyson, Xiaomi, etc.); if no brand, fill in 'no brand'. Model: Fill in the specific model of the commodity, which should be consistent with the product nameplate. Power: Fill in the rated power of the electric motor, in watts (W). With Self-Contained Electric Motor: Specify whether the commodity has a self-contained electric motor; if yes, fill in 'yes', otherwise fill in 'no'. Dust Collection Method: Explain the dust collection method, such as dust bag, dust bin, cyclonic separation, etc. Brand Type: Fill in the brand type, such as 'foreign brand (OEM production)', 'domestic brand', etc. Product Name: Other vacuum cleaners (robot vacuum cleaner); Use: Household floor cleaning; Brand: iRobot; Model: Roomba i7+; Power: 33W; With Self-Contained Electric Motor: Yes; Dust Collection Method: Dust bin; Brand Type: Foreign brand (OEM production). Not distinguishing whether it has a self-contained electric motor, mistakenly classifying a manual vacuum cleaner under 8508.19. Mistakenly classifying an industrial vacuum cleaner under 8508.11, when it should actually be under 8508.19. Incorrect or missing power filling, making it impossible to determine whether it falls under 8508.1. False declaration of brand and model, which may trigger customs intellectual property protection measures.
Product Name
The Chinese and English names of the declared commodity, which should accurately reflect the product's attributes, such as 'other vacuum cleaners'.
⚠️ Writing only 'vacuum cleaner' without distinguishing the type, or mistakenly writing 'industrial vacuum cleaner' when it is actually for household use.
Use
Explain the main usage scenarios of the commodity, such as household, industrial, commercial, central vacuuming, etc.
⚠️ Vaguely filling in 'for cleaning' without specifying the specific scenario, leading to classification disputes.
Brand
Fill in the brand of the commodity (e.g., Dyson, Xiaomi, etc.); if no brand, fill in 'no brand'.
⚠️ Mistakenly filling in the model as the brand, or omitting the brand, leading to intellectual property issues.
Model
Fill in the specific model of the commodity, which should be consistent with the product nameplate.
⚠️ Incomplete filling or inconsistency with the actual product, affecting customs inspection.
Power
Fill in the rated power of the electric motor, in watts (W).
⚠️ Not indicating the power or mistakenly filling in voltage, making it impossible to determine whether it has a self-contained electric motor.
With Self-Contained Electric Motor
Specify whether the commodity has a self-contained electric motor; if yes, fill in 'yes', otherwise fill in 'no'.
⚠️ Omitting this element, making it impossible to distinguish between 8508.1 and 8508.6.
Dust Collection Method
Explain the dust collection method, such as dust bag, dust bin, cyclonic separation, etc.
⚠️ Not filling in or filling in incorrectly, affecting the judgment of the product structure.
Brand Type
Fill in the brand type, such as 'foreign brand (OEM production)', 'domestic brand', etc.
⚠️ Confusing brand types, leading to statistical errors.
Not distinguishing whether it has a self-contained electric motor, mistakenly classifying a manual vacuum cleaner under 8508.19.
Mistakenly classifying an industrial vacuum cleaner under 8508.11, when it should actually be under 8508.19.
Incorrect or missing power filling, making it impossible to determine whether it falls under 8508.1.
False declaration of brand and model, which may trigger customs intellectual property protection measures.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core criteria for classification are: 1) whether the commodity is a vacuum cleaner; 2) whether it has a self-contained electric motor; 3) if it has a self-contained electric motor, whether it belongs to the specific types listed in 8508.11 (upright, horizontal, etc.). 8508.11 generally covers ordinary household upright or horizontal vacuum cleaners, while 8508.19 covers other types, such as industrial vacuum cleaners, central vacuum systems, robot vacuum cleaners, wet and dry vacuum cleaners, etc. In addition, consideration should be given to whether it has other functions (such as waxing, polishing); if the main function is vacuuming, it is still classified under 8508. 850811 Upright, horizontal vacuum cleaners: 850811 specifically refers to upright or horizontal and other specific types of household vacuum cleaners, usually ordinary household vacuum cleaners; while 850819 covers other vacuum cleaners with self-contained electric motor other than 850811, such as industrial, commercial, robot, etc. 850860 Other vacuum cleaners: 850860 refers to vacuum cleaners without self-contained electric motor, such as manual pump vacuum cleaners; while 850819 requires a self-contained electric motor. 850980 Other household electrical appliances: 850980 covers other household electrical appliances, such as floor polishers, food grinders, etc.; if the main function of the commodity is vacuum cleaning, it should be classified under 8508, not 8509. 841410 Vacuum pumps: 841410 is a vacuum pump, used to create a vacuum environment, usually industrial equipment; while 850819 is a vacuum cleaner, used to suck up dust and debris, with different functions. Is the commodity a vacuum cleaner? Does it have a self-contained electric motor? Is it an upright or horizontal household vacuum cleaner? Does it have other main functions (such as waxing)? Is it used in industrial or commercial scenarios?
Basis
The core criteria for classification are: 1) whether the commodity is a vacuum cleaner; 2) whether it has a self-contained electric motor; 3) if it has a self-contained electric motor, whether it belongs to the specific types listed in 8508.11 (upright, horizontal, etc.). 8508.11 generally covers ordinary household upright or horizontal vacuum cleaners, while 8508.19 covers other types, such as industrial vacuum cleaners, central vacuum systems, robot vacuum cleaners, wet and dry vacuum cleaners, etc. In addition, consideration should be given to whether it has other functions (such as waxing, polishing); if the main function is vacuuming, it is still classified under 8508.
Confused Codes：
850811 - Upright, horizontal vacuum cleaners
850811 specifically refers to upright or horizontal and other specific types of household vacuum cleaners, usually ordinary household vacuum cleaners; while 850819 covers other vacuum cleaners with self-contained electric motor other than 850811, such as industrial, commercial, robot, etc.
850860 - Other vacuum cleaners
850860 refers to vacuum cleaners without self-contained electric motor, such as manual pump vacuum cleaners; while 850819 requires a self-contained electric motor.
850980 - Other household electrical appliances
850980 covers other household electrical appliances, such as floor polishers, food grinders, etc.; if the main function of the commodity is vacuum cleaning, it should be classified under 8508, not 8509.
841410 - Vacuum pumps
841410 is a vacuum pump, used to create a vacuum environment, usually industrial equipment; while 850819 is a vacuum cleaner, used to suck up dust and debris, with different functions.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the commodity a vacuum cleaner?
✓ Does it have a self-contained electric motor?
✓ Is it an upright or horizontal household vacuum cleaner?
✓ Does it have other main functions (such as waxing)?
✓ Is it used in industrial or commercial scenarios?
❓ FAQ
How do I determine whether my vacuum cleaner should be classified under 850811 or 850819? First confirm whether the vacuum cleaner has a self-contained electric motor. If yes, then look at its type: ordinary household upright or horizontal vacuum cleaners are usually classified under 850811; while industrial vacuum cleaners, central vacuum systems, robot vacuum cleaners, wet and dry vacuum cleaners, etc., are classified under 850819. If it does not have an electric motor, it is classified under 850860. Which HS code should robot vacuum cleaners be classified under? Robot vacuum cleaners usually have a self-contained electric motor and are not upright or horizontal household vacuum cleaners, so they should be classified under 850819 (other vacuum cleaners). When declaring, elements such as brand, model, and power need to be provided. Are industrial vacuum cleaners classified under 850819 or 850811? Industrial vacuum cleaners are usually not classified under 850811, because 850811 specifically refers to upright or horizontal household vacuum cleaners. Industrial vacuum cleaners are generally classified under 850819, unless their structure fully conforms to the description of 850811. It is recommended to judge based on actual use and structure. How should the element 'With Self-Contained Electric Motor' be filled in during declaration? If the vacuum cleaner has a built-in electric motor and is driven by electricity, fill in 'yes'; if it is a manual pump type or relies on an external air source, fill in 'no'. This element directly affects whether it is classified under 8508.1 or 8508.6. How should a vacuum cleaner with a waxing function be classified? If the main function is vacuum cleaning and waxing is only an auxiliary function, it is still classified under 8508; if the main function is waxing, it may be classified under 8509. It should be judged based on the primary and secondary functions; it is recommended to provide a detailed manual. What is the export tax rebate rate for 850819? The export tax rebate rate will be adjusted according to national policies. It is recommended to check the latest rebate rate through the official website of the General Administration of Customs or the State Taxation Administration, or consult a professional customs broker. Usually, it can be queried in the tax rebate system by commodity code. What should be noted when declaring vacuum cleaners imported through cross-border e-commerce channels? It is necessary to accurately declare elements such as product name, brand, model, power, and whether it has a self-contained electric motor, and ensure compliance with China Compulsory Certification (CCC) requirements. If it is for personal use, the personal postal articles tax may apply, but it must comply with the quota regulations. What is the main difference between 850819 and 850860? The main difference lies in whether it has a self-contained electric motor: 850819 is for other vacuum cleaners with a self-contained electric motor, and 850860 is for vacuum cleaners without a self-contained electric motor (such as manual vacuum cleaners). When declaring, the motor situation must be clarified.
Q: How do I determine whether my vacuum cleaner should be classified under 850811 or 850819?
A: First confirm whether the vacuum cleaner has a self-contained electric motor. If yes, then look at its type: ordinary household upright or horizontal vacuum cleaners are usually classified under 850811; while industrial vacuum cleaners, central vacuum systems, robot vacuum cleaners, wet and dry vacuum cleaners, etc., are classified under 850819. If it does not have an electric motor, it is classified under 850860.
Q: Which HS code should robot vacuum cleaners be classified under?
A: Robot vacuum cleaners usually have a self-contained electric motor and are not upright or horizontal household vacuum cleaners, so they should be classified under 850819 (other vacuum cleaners). When declaring, elements such as brand, model, and power need to be provided.
Q: Are industrial vacuum cleaners classified under 850819 or 850811?
A: Industrial vacuum cleaners are usually not classified under 850811, because 850811 specifically refers to upright or horizontal household vacuum cleaners. Industrial vacuum cleaners are generally classified under 850819, unless their structure fully conforms to the description of 850811. It is recommended to judge based on actual use and structure.
Q: How should the element 'With Self-Contained Electric Motor' be filled in during declaration?
A: If the vacuum cleaner has a built-in electric motor and is driven by electricity, fill in 'yes'; if it is a manual pump type or relies on an external air source, fill in 'no'. This element directly affects whether it is classified under 8508.1 or 8508.6.
Q: How should a vacuum cleaner with a waxing function be classified?
A: If the main function is vacuum cleaning and waxing is only an auxiliary function, it is still classified under 8508; if the main function is waxing, it may be classified under 8509. It should be judged based on the primary and secondary functions; it is recommended to provide a detailed manual.
Q: What is the export tax rebate rate for 850819?
A: The export tax rebate rate will be adjusted according to national policies. It is recommended to check the latest rebate rate through the official website of the General Administration of Customs or the State Taxation Administration, or consult a professional customs broker. Usually, it can be queried in the tax rebate system by commodity code.
Q: What should be noted when declaring vacuum cleaners imported through cross-border e-commerce channels?
A: It is necessary to accurately declare elements such as product name, brand, model, power, and whether it has a self-contained electric motor, and ensure compliance with China Compulsory Certification (CCC) requirements. If it is for personal use, the personal postal articles tax may apply, but it must comply with the quota regulations.
Q: What is the main difference between 850819 and 850860?
A: The main difference lies in whether it has a self-contained electric motor: 850819 is for other vacuum cleaners with a self-contained electric motor, and 850860 is for vacuum cleaners without a self-contained electric motor (such as manual vacuum cleaners). When declaring, the motor situation must be clarified.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.