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 includes various machines and equipment that operate using electrical energy, such as electric motors, generators, transformers, batteries, household appliances (such as shavers, hair dryers), communication equipment, recording and video equipment, etc. However, this chapter does not include certain specific electrical products, such as mechanical appliances of Chapter 84 (even if equipped with electric motors), optical or medical instruments of Chapter 90, etc. Heading 8510 covers electric shavers, electric hair clippers, and electric hair removers. These products all have self-contained electric motors and are used for personal care, including shaving, hair cutting, hair removal, etc. However, this heading does not include manual shavers (heading 8212), non-electric hair clippers (heading 8214), or electric shearing machines for animals (heading 8433). Code 851010 is a six-digit subheading. The first two digits 85 indicate Chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof). Digits 3-4, 10, indicate heading 8510 (electric shavers, electric hair clippers, and electric hair removers). Digits 5-6, 10, indicate subheading 851010, specifically electric shavers. In the HS classification, heading 8510 is divided into two subheadings: 851010 (electric shavers) and 851020 (electric hair clippers). Subheading 851030 is for electric hair removers, but this subheading was deleted in the 2017 version of the HS and is now classified under 8509 or 8510? In fact, the 2017 version of the HS classified electric hair removers under 8510.30, but does 8510.30 still exist in the 2022 version of the HS? According to the latest HS 2022, 8510 includes: 8510.10 electric shavers; 8510.20 electric hair clippers; 8510.30 electric hair removers. Therefore, 851010 specifically refers to electric shavers. Electric shavers are classified under 851010 because they are essentially personal care electrical appliances with self-contained electric motors, consistent with the description of heading 8510. They are different from manual shavers (8212), and also different from electric hair clippers (851020) and electric hair removers (851030), which have different functions. In addition, if a shaver does not have an electric motor (such as manual or battery used only for lighting), it may be classified under 8212.
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 includes various machines and equipment that operate using electrical energy, such as electric motors, generators, transformers, batteries, household appliances (such as shavers, hair dryers), communication equipment, recording and video equipment, etc. However, this chapter does not include certain specific electrical products, such as mechanical appliances of Chapter 84 (even if equipped with electric motors), optical or medical instruments of Chapter 90, etc.
Heading
Heading 8510 covers electric shavers, electric hair clippers, and electric hair removers. These products all have self-contained electric motors and are used for personal care, including shaving, hair cutting, hair removal, etc. However, this heading does not include manual shavers (heading 8212), non-electric hair clippers (heading 8214), or electric shearing machines for animals (heading 8433).
Digit Breakdown
Code 851010 is a six-digit subheading. The first two digits 85 indicate Chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof). Digits 3-4, 10, indicate heading 8510 (electric shavers, electric hair clippers, and electric hair removers). Digits 5-6, 10, indicate subheading 851010, specifically electric shavers. In the HS classification, heading 8510 is divided into two subheadings: 851010 (electric shavers) and 851020 (electric hair clippers). Subheading 851030 is for electric hair removers, but this subheading was deleted in the 2017 version of the HS and is now classified under 8509 or 8510? In fact, the 2017 version of the HS classified electric hair removers under 8510.30, but does 8510.30 still exist in the 2022 version of the HS? According to the latest HS 2022, 8510 includes: 8510.10 electric shavers; 8510.20 electric hair clippers; 8510.30 electric hair removers. Therefore, 851010 specifically refers to electric shavers.
Classification Basis
Electric shavers are classified under 851010 because they are essentially personal care electrical appliances with self-contained electric motors, consistent with the description of heading 8510. They are different from manual shavers (8212), and also different from electric hair clippers (851020) and electric hair removers (851030), which have different functions. In addition, if a shaver does not have an electric motor (such as manual or battery used only for lighting), it may be classified under 8212.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared commodity, such as "electric shaver", should accurately reflect the product attributes. Brand: Fill in the product brand, such as Philips, Braun, etc. If no brand, fill in "no brand". Model: Fill in the product model, such as RQ1250, to identify specific specifications. Working Principle: State that it is electric, such as "motor-driven", to distinguish it from manual. Use: Fill in personal shaving use, clarifying the usage scenario. Power Supply Method: State whether it is rechargeable, battery-operated, or external power, does it affect classification? But all are classified under 8510. Whether It Includes a Shaver Head: Declare whether it includes a cutter head; if the cutter head is imported separately, it should be classified under 8510.90. Customs declaration example:
Product Name: Electric Shaver
Brand: Philips
Model: RQ1250
Working Principle: Motor-driven
Use: Personal shaving
Power Supply Method: Rechargeable
Whether It Includes a Shaver Head: Yes
Specification: Single head
Packaging: Color box
HS Code: 8510100000 Mistakenly classifying electric shavers as manual shavers (8212), ignoring the electric feature. Confusing electric shavers with electric hair clippers (851020), which have different functions. Failure to distinguish between complete machines and parts; shaver heads imported separately should be classified under 851090.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared commodity, such as "electric shaver", should accurately reflect the product attributes.
⚠️ Misreporting as "shaver" without indicating electric, leading to classification disputes.
Brand
Fill in the product brand, such as Philips, Braun, etc. If no brand, fill in "no brand".
⚠️ Confusing brand with model, or omitting the brand.
Model
Fill in the product model, such as RQ1250, to identify specific specifications.
⚠️ Incomplete or incorrect model entry.
Working Principle
State that it is electric, such as "motor-driven", to distinguish it from manual.
⚠️ Not indicating electric, may be misclassified as a manual shaver.
Use
Fill in personal shaving use, clarifying the usage scenario.
⚠️ Use description is too broad, such as "personal care".
Power Supply Method
State whether it is rechargeable, battery-operated, or external power, does it affect classification? But all are classified under 8510.
⚠️ Power supply method does not affect classification, but must be declared truthfully.
Whether It Includes a Shaver Head
Declare whether it includes a cutter head; if the cutter head is imported separately, it should be classified under 8510.90.
⚠️ Confusing the complete machine with accessories, leading to classification errors.
Example： Customs declaration example:
Product Name: Electric Shaver
Brand: Philips
Model: RQ1250
Working Principle: Motor-driven
Use: Personal shaving
Power Supply Method: Rechargeable
Whether It Includes a Shaver Head: Yes
Specification: Single head
Packaging: Color box
HS Code: 8510100000
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying electric shavers as manual shavers (8212), ignoring the electric feature.
Confusing electric shavers with electric hair clippers (851020), which have different functions.
Failure to distinguish between complete machines and parts; shaver heads imported separately should be classified under 851090.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core classification criteria: According to the General Rules for the Interpretation of the HS, electric shavers should be classified under heading 8510 because they have an electric motor and are used for personal shaving. It is necessary to confirm that the product is electric rather than manual, and that its function is shaving rather than hair cutting or hair removal. If a product has both shaving and hair cutting functions, classify according to the primary function; if it cannot be determined, refer to the notes to heading 8510. 821210 Shavers (manual): Manual shavers do not have an electric motor and rely on manual operation, classified under 8212; electric shavers have an electric motor and are classified under 8510. 851020 Electric Hair Clippers: Electric hair clippers are used for hair cutting, with a different cutter head design; electric shavers are used for shaving, with a finer and denser cutter foil. 851030 Electric Hair Removers: Electric hair removers are used to pull out hair, with a different working principle; electric shavers cut hair. 850980 Other Household Electric Appliances: 850980 covers other household electric appliances, such as electric toothbrushes, but shavers are specifically named under 8510 and are not classified under 8509. Does the product have an electric motor? Is the primary function shaving? Is it used for personal care? Is it distinguished from manual shavers? Is it distinguished from hair clippers and hair removers?
Basis
Core classification criteria: According to the General Rules for the Interpretation of the HS, electric shavers should be classified under heading 8510 because they have an electric motor and are used for personal shaving. It is necessary to confirm that the product is electric rather than manual, and that its function is shaving rather than hair cutting or hair removal. If a product has both shaving and hair cutting functions, classify according to the primary function; if it cannot be determined, refer to the notes to heading 8510.
Confused Codes：
821210 - Shavers (manual)
Manual shavers do not have an electric motor and rely on manual operation, classified under 8212; electric shavers have an electric motor and are classified under 8510.
851020 - Electric Hair Clippers
Electric hair clippers are used for hair cutting, with a different cutter head design; electric shavers are used for shaving, with a finer and denser cutter foil.
851030 - Electric Hair Removers
Electric hair removers are used to pull out hair, with a different working principle; electric shavers cut hair.
850980 - Other Household Electric Appliances
850980 covers other household electric appliances, such as electric toothbrushes, but shavers are specifically named under 8510 and are not classified under 8509.
Self-Check：
✓ Does the product have an electric motor?
✓ Is the primary function shaving?
✓ Is it used for personal care?
✓ Is it distinguished from manual shavers?
✓ Is it distinguished from hair clippers and hair removers?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between electric shavers and manual shavers? Electric shavers are classified under 851010, and manual shavers under 821210. The main difference is whether they have an electric motor: electric shavers rely on an electric motor to drive the cutter head, while manual shavers rely entirely on human power. When declaring, the working principle must be stated to avoid classification errors. How are parts of electric shavers classified? Parts of electric shavers, such as cutter heads, cutter foils, electric motors, etc., if imported separately, are generally classified under 851090 (parts of heading 8510). However, note that if the part itself belongs to another heading (such as general-purpose electric motors under 8501), it should be classified under the corresponding heading. Are rechargeable electric shavers and battery-operated electric shavers classified the same? Yes, whether rechargeable or battery-operated, as long as they have a self-contained electric motor, they are classified under 851010. The power supply method does not affect classification, but the power supply method must be truthfully filled in when declaring for customs statistics. If an electric shaver has a hair cutting function, which code should it be classified under? If an electric shaver also has a hair cutting function, it must be judged according to the primary function. If shaving is primary, classify under 851010; if hair cutting is primary, classify under 851020. If it cannot be determined, refer to customs classification decisions or consult a professional agency. What is the code for an electric shaver cutter head imported separately? The cutter head of an electric shaver, as a dedicated part, is classified under 851090 when imported separately. However, if the cutter head has an electric motor, it may be classified under 851010. It must be judged according to the specific structure. How to inquire about the import tariff rate for electric shavers? The import tariff rate must be determined based on the country of origin, trade agreements, etc. The latest rates can be queried through the website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or by consulting a customs broker. Note that rates may change, and the actual declaration time shall prevail. What certifications are required for exporting electric shavers? Exporting electric shavers usually requires compliance with the certification requirements of the destination country, such as EU CE, US UL, etc. In addition, attention must be paid to battery transportation requirements (such as lithium batteries requiring UN38.3). It is recommended to confirm certification requirements with the buyer in advance. How should the HS code be filled in for cross-border e-commerce sales of electric shavers? For cross-border e-commerce declarations, electric shavers should be filled in with HS code 8510100000. Elements such as product name, brand, and model must be provided. If shipped from a bonded warehouse, customs cross-border e-commerce regulatory requirements must also be complied with.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between electric shavers and manual shavers?
A: Electric shavers are classified under 851010, and manual shavers under 821210. The main difference is whether they have an electric motor: electric shavers rely on an electric motor to drive the cutter head, while manual shavers rely entirely on human power. When declaring, the working principle must be stated to avoid classification errors.
Q: How are parts of electric shavers classified?
A: Parts of electric shavers, such as cutter heads, cutter foils, electric motors, etc., if imported separately, are generally classified under 851090 (parts of heading 8510). However, note that if the part itself belongs to another heading (such as general-purpose electric motors under 8501), it should be classified under the corresponding heading.
Q: Are rechargeable electric shavers and battery-operated electric shavers classified the same?
A: Yes, whether rechargeable or battery-operated, as long as they have a self-contained electric motor, they are classified under 851010. The power supply method does not affect classification, but the power supply method must be truthfully filled in when declaring for customs statistics.
Q: If an electric shaver has a hair cutting function, which code should it be classified under?
A: If an electric shaver also has a hair cutting function, it must be judged according to the primary function. If shaving is primary, classify under 851010; if hair cutting is primary, classify under 851020. If it cannot be determined, refer to customs classification decisions or consult a professional agency.
Q: What is the code for an electric shaver cutter head imported separately?
A: The cutter head of an electric shaver, as a dedicated part, is classified under 851090 when imported separately. However, if the cutter head has an electric motor, it may be classified under 851010. It must be judged according to the specific structure.
Q: How to inquire about the import tariff rate for electric shavers?
A: The import tariff rate must be determined based on the country of origin, trade agreements, etc. The latest rates can be queried through the website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or by consulting a customs broker. Note that rates may change, and the actual declaration time shall prevail.
Q: What certifications are required for exporting electric shavers?
A: Exporting electric shavers usually requires compliance with the certification requirements of the destination country, such as EU CE, US UL, etc. In addition, attention must be paid to battery transportation requirements (such as lithium batteries requiring UN38.3). It is recommended to confirm certification requirements with the buyer in advance.
Q: How should the HS code be filled in for cross-border e-commerce sales of electric shavers?
A: For cross-border e-commerce declarations, electric shavers should be filled in with HS code 8510100000. Elements such as product name, brand, and model must be provided. If shipped from a bonded warehouse, customs cross-border e-commerce regulatory requirements must also be complied with.
⚠️ 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.