Chapter 85 covers various electrical equipment and their parts, such as electric motors, generators, transformers, batteries, household appliances, and electronic components. This chapter is the main chapter in the HS classification for technology-intensive products, involving the entire industry chain from power generation and storage to power consumption. As an appliance that uses electrical energy to generate hot air to dry hands, the electric hand dryer falls within the category of household electrical appliances in this chapter. Heading 8516 includes electrothermic appliances (such as electric water heaters, electric space heaters, electric hair dryers, electric hand dryers, etc.) and household electrothermic appliances. This heading specifically refers to appliances that use electric current passing through resistance to generate heat for heating, as well as appliances that have electrothermic elements even though heating is not their main function. The electric hand dryer heats air through an electrothermic element and blows it out with a fan, fully conforming to the description of this heading. Code 851631 has 6 digits: the first 2 digits "85" represent Chapter 85 (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 "16" represent heading 8516 (Electrothermic appliances and household electrothermic appliances). Digits 5-6 "31" represent subheading 851631, specifically electric hand dryers. Among them, the 5th digit "3" indicates that this subheading belongs to other household electrothermic appliances among electrothermic appliances, and the 6th digit "1" further limits it to hand dryers. This code is 6 digits in the HS international standard, and countries may extend it to 8-10 digits. Electric hand dryers are classified under 851631 because their main function is to use an electrothermic element to heat air and dry hands, making them household electrothermic appliances. They are not classified under 8419 (machinery for treating materials by a change in temperature) because they are not for industrial use; they are not classified under 8509 (household electrical appliances) because they contain an electrothermic element; they are not classified under other subheadings of 8516 such as 851610 (electric water heaters) or 851629 (other space heaters) because their use and structure are different.
Chapter
Chapter 85 covers various electrical equipment and their parts, such as electric motors, generators, transformers, batteries, household appliances, and electronic components. This chapter is the main chapter in the HS classification for technology-intensive products, involving the entire industry chain from power generation and storage to power consumption. As an appliance that uses electrical energy to generate hot air to dry hands, the electric hand dryer falls within the category of household electrical appliances in this chapter.
Heading
Heading 8516 includes electrothermic appliances (such as electric water heaters, electric space heaters, electric hair dryers, electric hand dryers, etc.) and household electrothermic appliances. This heading specifically refers to appliances that use electric current passing through resistance to generate heat for heating, as well as appliances that have electrothermic elements even though heating is not their main function. The electric hand dryer heats air through an electrothermic element and blows it out with a fan, fully conforming to the description of this heading.
Digit Breakdown
Code 851631 has 6 digits: the first 2 digits "85" represent Chapter 85 (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 "16" represent heading 8516 (Electrothermic appliances and household electrothermic appliances). Digits 5-6 "31" represent subheading 851631, specifically electric hand dryers. Among them, the 5th digit "3" indicates that this subheading belongs to other household electrothermic appliances among electrothermic appliances, and the 6th digit "1" further limits it to hand dryers. This code is 6 digits in the HS international standard, and countries may extend it to 8-10 digits.
Classification Basis
Electric hand dryers are classified under 851631 because their main function is to use an electrothermic element to heat air and dry hands, making them household electrothermic appliances. They are not classified under 8419 (machinery for treating materials by a change in temperature) because they are not for industrial use; they are not classified under 8509 (household electrical appliances) because they contain an electrothermic element; they are not classified under other subheadings of 8516 such as 851610 (electric water heaters) or 851629 (other space heaters) because their use and structure are different.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The standard name of the declared commodity should be "electric hand dryer" or "electric hand dryer", avoiding colloquial terms such as "hand dryer". Use: Clearly state whether it is for household or public place use (such as hotels, shopping malls), used for drying hands. Working Principle: Explain whether air is heated by an electrothermic element and blown out by a fan, and whether it has an automatic sensing function. Brand: Declare the brand name (such as Dyson, Panasonic); if there is no brand, fill in "no brand". Model: Declare the specific model, such as "DH-2000". Power: Declare the rated power, such as "2000W", which affects whether it belongs to household electrothermic appliances. Heating Method: State whether it is resistance heating, infrared heating, or another method. Brand Type: Distinguish among own brand, OEM, or no brand. Customs declaration form filling example:
Product Name: Electric hand dryer
Use: For public places, drying hands
Working Principle: Electrothermic element heats air, fan blows it out, with infrared sensing
Brand: Dyson
Model: DH-2000
Power: 2000W
Heating Method: Resistance heating
Brand Type: Own brand
HS Code: 85163100 Mistakenly classifying hand dryers with heating function under 8509 (household electrical appliances), ignoring the electrothermic element. Failing to distinguish household from industrial use; industrial hand dryers may be classified under 8419 or 8514. Incorrect unit or omission when declaring power, making it impossible to determine whether it belongs to electrothermic appliances.
Product Name
The standard name of the declared commodity should be "electric hand dryer" or "electric hand dryer", avoiding colloquial terms such as "hand dryer".
⚠️ Mistakenly declared as "hair dryer" or "fan heater", resulting in incorrect classification.
Use
Clearly state whether it is for household or public place use (such as hotels, shopping malls), used for drying hands.
⚠️ Vaguely filling in "for drying", without distinguishing industrial from household use.
Working Principle
Explain whether air is heated by an electrothermic element and blown out by a fan, and whether it has an automatic sensing function.
⚠️ Only writing "electric", without mentioning the electrothermic element, which may lead to incorrect classification under 8509.
Brand
Declare the brand name (such as Dyson, Panasonic); if there is no brand, fill in "no brand".
⚠️ Confusing brand with model, or omitting the brand.
Model
Declare the specific model, such as "DH-2000".
⚠️ Incomplete model entry or inconsistency with the actual item.
Power
Declare the rated power, such as "2000W", which affects whether it belongs to household electrothermic appliances.
⚠️ Failing to provide power or using the wrong unit (such as writing 2000V).
Heating Method
State whether it is resistance heating, infrared heating, or another method.
⚠️ Omitting the heating method, making it impossible to determine whether it belongs to electrothermic appliances.
Example： Customs declaration form filling example:
Product Name: Electric hand dryer
Use: For public places, drying hands
Working Principle: Electrothermic element heats air, fan blows it out, with infrared sensing
Brand: Dyson
Model: DH-2000
Power: 2000W
Heating Method: Resistance heating
Brand Type: Own brand
HS Code: 85163100
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying hand dryers with heating function under 8509 (household electrical appliances), ignoring the electrothermic element.
Failing to distinguish household from industrial use; industrial hand dryers may be classified under 8419 or 8514.
Incorrect unit or omission when declaring power, making it impossible to determine whether it belongs to electrothermic appliances.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1) The product function is drying hands; 2) It uses an electrothermic element to heat air; 3) It is for household or similar use. According to General Rules 1 and 6 for the interpretation of the HS, electric hand dryers conform to the heading text of 8516 "Electrothermic appliances and household electrothermic appliances", and subheading 851631 explicitly lists "electric hand dryers". If the product is only electric without heating function, it is classified under 8509; if it is large-scale industrial hand-drying equipment, it may be classified under 8419. 8509 Household electrical appliances: 8509 covers household electrical appliances without electrothermic elements, such as electric shavers and electric toothbrushes. Electric hand dryers, because they have heating elements, should be classified under 8516. 8516 Other electrothermic appliances: Under 8516 there are also electric water heaters (851610), space heaters (851629), etc. Electric hand dryers have an independent subheading 851631 and cannot be classified under other subheadings. 8419 Machinery for treating materials by a change in temperature: 8419 is mainly used for industrial or laboratory treatment of materials, such as dryers and distillers. Household hand dryers do not apply. 8514 Industrial or laboratory electric furnaces and ovens: 8514 is for industrial heating equipment, such as industrial electric furnaces and ovens. Household hand dryers do not fall within this scope. 8479 Machines for which no other heading of this chapter is specified: 8479 is a residual heading; if the product has a more specific description (such as 851631), it is not classified under 8479. Does the product have an electrothermic element? Is it used for drying hands? Is it for household or public place use? Is it independent of other equipment? Does it have an electric fan?
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1) The product function is drying hands; 2) It uses an electrothermic element to heat air; 3) It is for household or similar use. According to General Rules 1 and 6 for the interpretation of the HS, electric hand dryers conform to the heading text of 8516 "Electrothermic appliances and household electrothermic appliances", and subheading 851631 explicitly lists "electric hand dryers". If the product is only electric without heating function, it is classified under 8509; if it is large-scale industrial hand-drying equipment, it may be classified under 8419.
Confused Codes：
8509 - Household electrical appliances
8509 covers household electrical appliances without electrothermic elements, such as electric shavers and electric toothbrushes. Electric hand dryers, because they have heating elements, should be classified under 8516.
8516 - Other electrothermic appliances
Under 8516 there are also electric water heaters (851610), space heaters (851629), etc. Electric hand dryers have an independent subheading 851631 and cannot be classified under other subheadings.
8419 - Machinery for treating materials by a change in temperature
8419 is mainly used for industrial or laboratory treatment of materials, such as dryers and distillers. Household hand dryers do not apply.
8514 - Industrial or laboratory electric furnaces and ovens
8514 is for industrial heating equipment, such as industrial electric furnaces and ovens. Household hand dryers do not fall within this scope.
8479 - Machines for which no other heading of this chapter is specified
8479 is a residual heading; if the product has a more specific description (such as 851631), it is not classified under 8479.
Self-Check：
✓ Does the product have an electrothermic element?
✓ Is it used for drying hands?
✓ Is it for household or public place use?
✓ Is it independent of other equipment?
✓ Does it have an electric fan?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS codes between electric hand dryers and hair dryers? Electric hand dryers are classified under 851631, and hair dryers are classified under 851632 (other electrothermic appliances) or 851633 (electric hand dryers? Actually hair dryers are 851632). Both belong to 8516, but the subheadings are different: 851631 specifically refers to hand dryers, and 851632 is for other electrothermic appliances (including hair dryers). How can it be determined whether a hand dryer is an electric hand dryer? The key is whether air is heated by an electrothermic element. If it only relies on high-speed airflow to dry hands (without heating), it should be classified under 8509; if it has a heating element, it is classified under 851631. Are the HS codes the same for hand dryers used in public places and household hand dryers? HS code 851631 does not distinguish between household and public place use; as long as the use is drying hands and it is electrothermic, it is classified under this code. However, some countries may further subdivide based on power or installation method. What certifications are required for exporting electric hand dryers? Generally, safety certifications such as CE (EU), UL (US), CCC (China) are required, as well as environmental directives such as RoHS and REACH. The specific requirements depend on the destination country. How should the declaration element "Working Principle" be filled in during customs declaration? It should describe in detail: the electrothermic element heats air, the fan blows out hot air, possibly with automatic sensing. Avoid writing only "electric". What is the difference between 851631 and 851629? 851629 is for other space heaters and similar appliances, such as fan heaters and oil-filled radiators. 851631 specifically refers to hand dryers, with a clear use. If the hand dryer has a UV sterilization function, will the code change? The main function is still drying hands, and UV sterilization is an additional function that does not change the classification; it is still classified under 851631. However, it needs to be stated in the declaration elements. How can the import tariff rate for 851631 be queried? You can log on to the website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use an HS code query tool, enter 851631 and the destination country, and obtain the MFN rate, general rate, etc. Tariff rates may change, and the latest official ones shall prevail.
Q: What is the difference in HS codes between electric hand dryers and hair dryers?
A: Electric hand dryers are classified under 851631, and hair dryers are classified under 851632 (other electrothermic appliances) or 851633 (electric hand dryers? Actually hair dryers are 851632). Both belong to 8516, but the subheadings are different: 851631 specifically refers to hand dryers, and 851632 is for other electrothermic appliances (including hair dryers).
Q: How can it be determined whether a hand dryer is an electric hand dryer?
A: The key is whether air is heated by an electrothermic element. If it only relies on high-speed airflow to dry hands (without heating), it should be classified under 8509; if it has a heating element, it is classified under 851631.
Q: Are the HS codes the same for hand dryers used in public places and household hand dryers?
A: HS code 851631 does not distinguish between household and public place use; as long as the use is drying hands and it is electrothermic, it is classified under this code. However, some countries may further subdivide based on power or installation method.
Q: What certifications are required for exporting electric hand dryers?
A: Generally, safety certifications such as CE (EU), UL (US), CCC (China) are required, as well as environmental directives such as RoHS and REACH. The specific requirements depend on the destination country.
Q: How should the declaration element "Working Principle" be filled in during customs declaration?
A: It should describe in detail: the electrothermic element heats air, the fan blows out hot air, possibly with automatic sensing. Avoid writing only "electric".
Q: What is the difference between 851631 and 851629?
A: 851629 is for other space heaters and similar appliances, such as fan heaters and oil-filled radiators. 851631 specifically refers to hand dryers, with a clear use.
Q: If the hand dryer has a UV sterilization function, will the code change?
A: The main function is still drying hands, and UV sterilization is an additional function that does not change the classification; it is still classified under 851631. However, it needs to be stated in the declaration elements.
Q: How can the import tariff rate for 851631 be queried?
A: You can log on to the website of the General Administration of Customs of China or use an HS code query tool, enter 851631 and the destination country, and obtain the MFN rate, general rate, etc. Tariff rates may change, and the latest official ones shall prevail.
⚠️ 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.