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 the most concentrated chapter in the HS classification for electromechanical products, involving various types of equipment for the production, conversion, storage, transmission, and application of electrical energy. From simple electrothermic appliances to complex integrated circuits, all are classified in this chapter. Within the chapter, it is divided into multiple headings by function, such as electric motors, generators, transformers, batteries, electrothermic appliances, telephones, sound recording equipment, etc. Heading 8516 covers electric instantaneous or storage water heaters and immersion heaters; electric space heating apparatus and soil heating apparatus; electrothermic hairdressing apparatus (for example, hair dryers, hair curlers, curling tong heaters) and hand dryers; electric smoothing irons; other electrothermic appliances of a kind used for domestic purposes; and electric heating resistors, etc. The core of this heading is apparatus that uses electrical energy to generate heat and is used for specific purposes, but it does not include industrial or laboratory electrothermic equipment (classified in 8514) or electric blankets, etc. (classified in 6301). The first 2 digits 85: indicates Chapter 85, namely 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: indicates heading 8516, specifically electric instantaneous or storage water heaters and immersion heaters; electric space heating apparatus and soil heating apparatus; electrothermic hairdressing apparatus and hand dryers; electric smoothing irons; other electrothermic appliances of a kind used for domestic purposes; electric heating resistors, etc. Digits 5-6 40: indicates subheading 851640, namely electrothermic hairdressing apparatus and hand dryers, further limited to electrothermic apparatus used for hairdressing (such as hair dryers, hair curlers, hair straighteners) and hand drying (such as hand dryers). This commodity is electrothermic hairdressing apparatus and hand dryers, whose core function is to use electrical energy to heat air or the appliance itself for hair styling or hand drying. This fully conforms to the description of heading 8516, and subheading 851640 explicitly lists it. Although adjacent codes such as 851631 (hair dryers) also belong to electrothermic hairdressing apparatus, 851640 covers a broader range, including hair curlers, hair straighteners, hand dryers, etc. Meanwhile, 851632 is other electrothermic hairdressing apparatus. If the commodity is a hair dryer, it should preferentially be classified under 851631, but if it is a hand dryer or hairdressing apparatus other than a hair dryer, it is classified under 851640.
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 the most concentrated chapter in the HS classification for electromechanical products, involving various types of equipment for the production, conversion, storage, transmission, and application of electrical energy. From simple electrothermic appliances to complex integrated circuits, all are classified in this chapter. Within the chapter, it is divided into multiple headings by function, such as electric motors, generators, transformers, batteries, electrothermic appliances, telephones, sound recording equipment, etc.
Heading
Heading 8516 covers electric instantaneous or storage water heaters and immersion heaters; electric space heating apparatus and soil heating apparatus; electrothermic hairdressing apparatus (for example, hair dryers, hair curlers, curling tong heaters) and hand dryers; electric smoothing irons; other electrothermic appliances of a kind used for domestic purposes; and electric heating resistors, etc. The core of this heading is apparatus that uses electrical energy to generate heat and is used for specific purposes, but it does not include industrial or laboratory electrothermic equipment (classified in 8514) or electric blankets, etc. (classified in 6301).
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 85: indicates Chapter 85, namely 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: indicates heading 8516, specifically electric instantaneous or storage water heaters and immersion heaters; electric space heating apparatus and soil heating apparatus; electrothermic hairdressing apparatus and hand dryers; electric smoothing irons; other electrothermic appliances of a kind used for domestic purposes; electric heating resistors, etc. Digits 5-6 40: indicates subheading 851640, namely electrothermic hairdressing apparatus and hand dryers, further limited to electrothermic apparatus used for hairdressing (such as hair dryers, hair curlers, hair straighteners) and hand drying (such as hand dryers).
Classification Basis
This commodity is electrothermic hairdressing apparatus and hand dryers, whose core function is to use electrical energy to heat air or the appliance itself for hair styling or hand drying. This fully conforms to the description of heading 8516, and subheading 851640 explicitly lists it. Although adjacent codes such as 851631 (hair dryers) also belong to electrothermic hairdressing apparatus, 851640 covers a broader range, including hair curlers, hair straighteners, hand dryers, etc. Meanwhile, 851632 is other electrothermic hairdressing apparatus. If the commodity is a hair dryer, it should preferentially be classified under 851631, but if it is a hand dryer or hairdressing apparatus other than a hair dryer, it is classified under 851640.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The standard name of the declared commodity, which should accurately reflect the attributes of the commodity, such as "hair dryer", "hand dryer", "electric hair curler", etc. Use: Explain the main use of the commodity, such as "used for drying and styling hair", "used for drying hands in bathrooms", etc. Working principle: Briefly describe how the commodity works, such as "resistance wire heating, motor-driven fan blows hot air". Brand: The brand name of the commodity; if there is no brand, fill in "no brand". Model: The specific model of the commodity, which should be consistent with the product nameplate. Power: The rated power of the commodity, in watts (W), such as "1800W". Material: The materials of the main components of the commodity, such as plastic housing, metal heating elements, etc. Product name: hair dryer; Use: used for drying and styling hair; Working principle: resistance wire heating, motor-driven fan blows hot air; Brand: Philips; Model: HP8232; Power: 1800W; Material: ABS plastic housing, nichrome heating element. Incorrectly classifying a hair dryer under 851631, while 851640 actually covers a broader range, but hair dryers should preferentially be classified under 851631. Hand dryers are easily confused with 851633 (electrothermic hand dryers), but 851633 has been merged into 851640, so attention must be paid to subheading adjustments. Failure to distinguish industrial use from household use; industrial hand dryers may be classified under other codes. Ignoring the power parameter during declaration, leading to classification disputes.
Product name
The standard name of the declared commodity, which should accurately reflect the attributes of the commodity, such as "hair dryer", "hand dryer", "electric hair curler", etc.
⚠️ Declaring a "hair dryer" as a "blow dryer", failing to reflect the electrothermic function; or generally declaring it as "hair styling apparatus".
Use
Explain the main use of the commodity, such as "used for drying and styling hair", "used for drying hands in bathrooms", etc.
⚠️ The use description is too broad, such as "household", without specifying hairdressing or hand drying.
Working principle
Briefly describe how the commodity works, such as "resistance wire heating, motor-driven fan blows hot air".
⚠️ Not mentioning the electrothermic element, only describing it as "electric".
Brand
The brand name of the commodity; if there is no brand, fill in "no brand".
⚠️ Mistaking the model number for the brand, or misspelling the brand.
Model
The specific model of the commodity, which should be consistent with the product nameplate.
⚠️ The model is incomplete or inconsistent with the actual product.
Power
The rated power of the commodity, in watts (W), such as "1800W".
⚠️ Failing to fill in the power or using the wrong unit, such as filling in "1.8kW" without indicating it.
Material
The materials of the main components of the commodity, such as plastic housing, metal heating elements, etc.
⚠️ The material description is too simple, such as "plastic", without distinguishing components.
Example： Product name: hair dryer; Use: used for drying and styling hair; Working principle: resistance wire heating, motor-driven fan blows hot air; Brand: Philips; Model: HP8232; Power: 1800W; Material: ABS plastic housing, nichrome heating element.
Common Mistakes：
Incorrectly classifying a hair dryer under 851631, while 851640 actually covers a broader range, but hair dryers should preferentially be classified under 851631.
Hand dryers are easily confused with 851633 (electrothermic hand dryers), but 851633 has been merged into 851640, so attention must be paid to subheading adjustments.
Failure to distinguish industrial use from household use; industrial hand dryers may be classified under other codes.
Ignoring the power parameter during declaration, leading to classification disputes.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the function and use of the commodity. Electrothermic hairdressing apparatus and hand dryers must use electrical energy to generate heat and be specially used for hair care (such as drying, curling, straightening) or hand drying. If the commodity is only electric without an electrothermic function, it is not classified under 851640. In addition, it is necessary to distinguish household use from industrial use; industrial equipment may be classified under 8514 or other headings. 851631 Hair dryers: 851631 specifically refers to hair dryers, while 851640 covers other electrothermic hairdressing apparatus and hand dryers. If the commodity is a hair dryer, it should preferentially be classified under 851631. 851632 Other electrothermic hairdressing apparatus: 851632 is other electrothermic hairdressing apparatus, but hand dryers are not classified here and should be classified under 851640. 851633 Electrothermic hand dryers: 851633 has been merged into 851640, but historically it was listed separately, so attention must be paid to subheading adjustments. 851679 Other electrothermic appliances: 851679 is other electrothermic appliances of a kind used for domestic purposes. If the commodity is not for hairdressing or hand drying, it may be classified here. Does the commodity use electrical energy to generate heat? Is the commodity specially used for hair care or hand drying? Is the commodity for household or industrial use? Does the commodity include a hair dryer? If so, it should be classified under 851631. Does the commodity have other functions?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the function and use of the commodity. Electrothermic hairdressing apparatus and hand dryers must use electrical energy to generate heat and be specially used for hair care (such as drying, curling, straightening) or hand drying. If the commodity is only electric without an electrothermic function, it is not classified under 851640. In addition, it is necessary to distinguish household use from industrial use; industrial equipment may be classified under 8514 or other headings.
Confused Codes：
851631 - Hair dryers
851631 specifically refers to hair dryers, while 851640 covers other electrothermic hairdressing apparatus and hand dryers. If the commodity is a hair dryer, it should preferentially be classified under 851631.
851632 - Other electrothermic hairdressing apparatus
851632 is other electrothermic hairdressing apparatus, but hand dryers are not classified here and should be classified under 851640.
851633 - Electrothermic hand dryers
851633 has been merged into 851640, but historically it was listed separately, so attention must be paid to subheading adjustments.
851679 - Other electrothermic appliances
851679 is other electrothermic appliances of a kind used for domestic purposes. If the commodity is not for hairdressing or hand drying, it may be classified here.
Self-Check：
✓ Does the commodity use electrical energy to generate heat?
✓ Is the commodity specially used for hair care or hand drying?
✓ Is the commodity for household or industrial use?
✓ Does the commodity include a hair dryer? If so, it should be classified under 851631.
✓ Does the commodity have other functions?
❓ FAQ
What products are specifically included in "electrothermic hairdressing apparatus" under HS code 851640? It includes electric hair curlers, electric hair straighteners, electric combs, electric curling tongs, etc., but does not include hair dryers (classified under 851631). These appliances are all heated by electrothermic elements and used for hair styling. Which HS code should hand dryers be classified under? Hand dryers should be classified under 851640. However, note that industrial hand dryers may be classified under other codes, such as 8419 or 8514. Household electrothermic hand dryers are explicitly classified under 851640. What is the difference between hair dryers and electrothermic hairdressing apparatus? Hair dryers are classified under 851631, while other electrothermic hairdressing apparatus (such as hair curlers and hair straighteners) are classified under 851640. The main function of a hair dryer is to dry hair, while other appliances are used for styling. How can it be determined whether a commodity belongs to 851640? The key is whether it uses electrical energy to generate heat and is used for hairdressing or hand drying. If it is only electric without an electrothermic function, it is not classified here. At the same time, it is necessary to distinguish household use from industrial use. What declaration elements are required when declaring 851640? Usually includes product name, use, working principle, brand, model, power, material, etc. The specific requirements are subject to customs requirements, and it is recommended to check the latest declaration element table. How can the tax rate for 851640 be checked? Tax rates may change. The latest tax rate can be checked through the General Administration of Customs website, China International Trade Single Window, or by consulting a customs broker. Note that tax rates may differ by country of origin. If a commodity has both hair drying and curling functions, which code should it be classified under? If the main function is hair drying, it is classified under 851631; if the main function is curling, it is classified under 851640. The determination should be based on the main function. What is the difference between 851640 and 851679? 851640 specifically refers to electrothermic hairdressing apparatus and hand dryers, while 851679 is other electrothermic appliances of a kind used for domestic purposes, such as electric blankets, electric shoes, etc. Different uses are the main difference.
Q: What products are specifically included in "electrothermic hairdressing apparatus" under HS code 851640?
A: It includes electric hair curlers, electric hair straighteners, electric combs, electric curling tongs, etc., but does not include hair dryers (classified under 851631). These appliances are all heated by electrothermic elements and used for hair styling.
Q: Which HS code should hand dryers be classified under?
A: Hand dryers should be classified under 851640. However, note that industrial hand dryers may be classified under other codes, such as 8419 or 8514. Household electrothermic hand dryers are explicitly classified under 851640.
Q: What is the difference between hair dryers and electrothermic hairdressing apparatus?
A: Hair dryers are classified under 851631, while other electrothermic hairdressing apparatus (such as hair curlers and hair straighteners) are classified under 851640. The main function of a hair dryer is to dry hair, while other appliances are used for styling.
Q: How can it be determined whether a commodity belongs to 851640?
A: The key is whether it uses electrical energy to generate heat and is used for hairdressing or hand drying. If it is only electric without an electrothermic function, it is not classified here. At the same time, it is necessary to distinguish household use from industrial use.
Q: What declaration elements are required when declaring 851640?
A: Usually includes product name, use, working principle, brand, model, power, material, etc. The specific requirements are subject to customs requirements, and it is recommended to check the latest declaration element table.
Q: How can the tax rate for 851640 be checked?
A: Tax rates may change. The latest tax rate can be checked through the General Administration of Customs website, China International Trade Single Window, or by consulting a customs broker. Note that tax rates may differ by country of origin.
Q: If a commodity has both hair drying and curling functions, which code should it be classified under?
A: If the main function is hair drying, it is classified under 851631; if the main function is curling, it is classified under 851640. The determination should be based on the main function.
Q: What is the difference between 851640 and 851679?
A: 851640 specifically refers to electrothermic hairdressing apparatus and hand dryers, while 851679 is other electrothermic appliances of a kind used for domestic purposes, such as electric blankets, electric shoes, etc. Different uses are the main difference.
⚠️ 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.