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 a wide range of goods from power generation, power transformation to household appliances and electronic components. Earphones, as electroacoustic conversion devices, fall within the consumer electronics category of this chapter. Heading 8518 includes microphones and stands therefor; loudspeakers, whether or not mounted in their enclosures; headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone; audio-frequency electric amplifiers; electric sound amplifier sets. This heading mainly covers devices that convert electrical signals into sound or sound into electrical signals. In-ear earphones, as electroacoustic transducers, fully conform to the description of this heading. Code 851830 is a six-digit subheading. The first two digits 85 indicate Chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment). Digits 3-4, 18, indicate heading 8518 (microphones, loudspeakers, headphones, audio-frequency electric amplifiers). Digits 5-6, 30, indicate subheading 851830, specifically headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and sets consisting of a microphone and one or more loudspeakers. This subheading further distinguishes in-ear, over-ear and other types, but is not further subdivided at the six-digit level. In-ear earphones are typical electroacoustic conversion devices that convert electrical signals into sound and are worn in the ear canal, falling within the category of headphones and earphones. They are classified under 851830 because this subheading explicitly includes headphones and earphones, and are not classified under 851810 (microphones) or 851820 (loudspeakers), which respectively target sound input and general loudspeakers. In-ear earphones are personal listening devices, hence classified under 851830.
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 a wide range of goods from power generation, power transformation to household appliances and electronic components. Earphones, as electroacoustic conversion devices, fall within the consumer electronics category of this chapter.
Heading
Heading 8518 includes microphones and stands therefor; loudspeakers, whether or not mounted in their enclosures; headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone; audio-frequency electric amplifiers; electric sound amplifier sets. This heading mainly covers devices that convert electrical signals into sound or sound into electrical signals. In-ear earphones, as electroacoustic transducers, fully conform to the description of this heading.
Digit Breakdown
Code 851830 is a six-digit subheading. The first two digits 85 indicate Chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment). Digits 3-4, 18, indicate heading 8518 (microphones, loudspeakers, headphones, audio-frequency electric amplifiers). Digits 5-6, 30, indicate subheading 851830, specifically headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and sets consisting of a microphone and one or more loudspeakers. This subheading further distinguishes in-ear, over-ear and other types, but is not further subdivided at the six-digit level.
Classification Basis
In-ear earphones are typical electroacoustic conversion devices that convert electrical signals into sound and are worn in the ear canal, falling within the category of headphones and earphones. They are classified under 851830 because this subheading explicitly includes headphones and earphones, and are not classified under 851810 (microphones) or 851820 (loudspeakers), which respectively target sound input and general loudspeakers. In-ear earphones are personal listening devices, hence classified under 851830.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The standard name of the declared commodity should be accurately described as in-ear earphones or earphone-style earphones, avoiding vague expressions such as colloquial terms like 'headset'. Brand: Fill in the brand of the commodity, such as Sony, Apple, etc. If there is no brand, fill in 'No Brand'. Brand is important information for customs intellectual property protection. Model: Fill in the specific model, such as WF-1000XM4, to facilitate customs identification of commodity specifications and classification. Whether Combined with Microphone: Indicate whether the earphones have a microphone. If yes, declare 'Yes'; otherwise 'No'. This element affects subheading subdivision. Connection Method: Declare wired or wireless (Bluetooth, etc.). Wireless earphones may involve other headings, requiring attention. Purpose: Such as consumer electronics, communications, professional audio, etc. Generally, in-ear earphones are mostly used for consumer electronics. Packaging Specification: Such as single unit, pair, with charging case, etc., affecting customs value and quantity statistics. Product Name: In-ear earphones; Brand: Sony; Model: WF-1000XM4; Whether Combined with Microphone: Yes; Connection Method: Wireless Bluetooth; Purpose: Consumer electronics; Packaging Specification: Single unit with charging case. Incorrectly classifying earphones with microphone under 851810, when they should actually be classified under 851830. Wireless earphones with independent communication functions may be classified under 851762 rather than 851830. Failure to declare charging case, leading to customs questioning of quantity or value.
Product Name
The standard name of the declared commodity should be accurately described as in-ear earphones or earphone-style earphones, avoiding vague expressions such as colloquial terms like 'headset'.
⚠️ Misdeclaring as 'earphones' without specifying the type, or misdeclaring as 'loudspeakers' leading to classification errors.
Brand
Fill in the brand of the commodity, such as Sony, Apple, etc. If there is no brand, fill in 'No Brand'. Brand is important information for customs intellectual property protection.
⚠️ Brand spelling errors or omissions, leading to intellectual property infringement risks.
Model
Fill in the specific model, such as WF-1000XM4, to facilitate customs identification of commodity specifications and classification.
⚠️ Incomplete model filling or inconsistency with the actual product, affecting customs inspection.
Whether Combined with Microphone
Indicate whether the earphones have a microphone. If yes, declare 'Yes'; otherwise 'No'. This element affects subheading subdivision.
⚠️ Failure to accurately declare, misreporting earphones with microphone as without microphone, leading to classification deviation.
Connection Method
Declare wired or wireless (Bluetooth, etc.). Wireless earphones may involve other headings, requiring attention.
⚠️ Incorrectly classifying wireless earphones under 851830, when they may actually be classified under 851762 or other codes.
Purpose
Such as consumer electronics, communications, professional audio, etc. Generally, in-ear earphones are mostly used for consumer electronics.
⚠️ Purpose description too broad, such as 'listening to music', should be specific.
Packaging Specification
Such as single unit, pair, with charging case, etc., affecting customs value and quantity statistics.
⚠️ Failure to declare charging case, leading to inaccurate quantity declaration.
Example： Product Name: In-ear earphones; Brand: Sony; Model: WF-1000XM4; Whether Combined with Microphone: Yes; Connection Method: Wireless Bluetooth; Purpose: Consumer electronics; Packaging Specification: Single unit with charging case.
Common Mistakes：
Incorrectly classifying earphones with microphone under 851810, when they should actually be classified under 851830.
Wireless earphones with independent communication functions may be classified under 851762 rather than 851830.
Failure to declare charging case, leading to customs questioning of quantity or value.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the notes to Chapter 85 of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System and the text of heading 8518. In-ear earphones fall within headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and are classified under 851830. If earphones have wireless communication functions (such as Bluetooth), it is necessary to determine their primary function. If primarily for audio playback, they are still classified under 851830; if they are communication devices, they may be classified under 8517. 851810 Microphones: 851810 covers devices that convert sound into electrical signals, while 851830 covers earphones that convert electrical signals into sound. The two have opposite functions. 851820 Loudspeakers: 851820 covers general loudspeakers not worn on the ear, while 851830 covers headphones and earphones worn personally. 851762 Communication Equipment: If the primary function of the earphones is wireless communication (such as walkie-talkie use), they are classified under 851762, while ordinary audio earphones are classified under 851830. 851850 Audio-frequency Electric Amplifiers: 851850 covers standalone audio amplification equipment, while 851830 covers terminal sound-producing devices, often used in conjunction with amplifiers. Is the commodity an electroacoustic conversion device? Is it worn on the ear? Does it include a microphone? Is the connection method wired or wireless? Is the primary function audio playback?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the notes to Chapter 85 of the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System and the text of heading 8518. In-ear earphones fall within headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and are classified under 851830. If earphones have wireless communication functions (such as Bluetooth), it is necessary to determine their primary function. If primarily for audio playback, they are still classified under 851830; if they are communication devices, they may be classified under 8517.
Confused Codes：
851810 - Microphones
851810 covers devices that convert sound into electrical signals, while 851830 covers earphones that convert electrical signals into sound. The two have opposite functions.
851820 - Loudspeakers
851820 covers general loudspeakers not worn on the ear, while 851830 covers headphones and earphones worn personally.
851762 - Communication Equipment
If the primary function of the earphones is wireless communication (such as walkie-talkie use), they are classified under 851762, while ordinary audio earphones are classified under 851830.
851850 - Audio-frequency Electric Amplifiers
851850 covers standalone audio amplification equipment, while 851830 covers terminal sound-producing devices, often used in conjunction with amplifiers.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the commodity an electroacoustic conversion device?
✓ Is it worn on the ear?
✓ Does it include a microphone?
✓ Is the connection method wired or wireless?
✓ Is the primary function audio playback?
❓ FAQ
Are in-ear earphones and over-ear headphones the same in HS code? Both are classified under 851830, because this subheading covers all types of headphones and earphones, regardless of wearing style. However, if over-ear headphones have special functions such as noise cancellation, classification still needs to be determined based on the primary function. Which HS code should wireless Bluetooth earphones be classified under? If wireless Bluetooth earphones are primarily used for audio playback, they are still classified under 851830. However, if they have independent communication functions (such as being used as a walkie-talkie), they may be classified under 851762. Classification should be determined based on the primary function. Do earphones with a microphone affect classification? No, 851830 explicitly includes earphones combined with a microphone. However, it is necessary to indicate 'Whether Combined with Microphone' in the declaration elements for customs confirmation. How to check the import tariff rate for in-ear earphones? The tariff rate needs to be checked according to the customs tariff of the destination country. For China, reference can be made to the 'Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China', but rates may change. It is recommended to check the latest rates through the General Administration of Customs website or professional customs declaration systems. Does the earphone charging case need to be declared separately? If the charging case is imported together with the earphones and sold as a whole, it is usually declared together with the earphones, but must be noted in the packaging specification. If imported separately, it may need to be declared under a different code. Do in-ear earphones classified under 851830 require 3C certification? According to relevant Chinese regulations, some earphones may require 3C certification, depending on product function and purpose. It is recommended to consult professional certification agencies or customs. How to declare earphones for cross-border e-commerce retail export? Cross-border e-commerce retail export needs to be declared according to customs requirements, usually using a simplified declaration model, but HS codes and declaration elements must be accurately filled in to ensure correct classification. If earphones are gifts, do they still need to be declared? Yes, all import and export commodities must be declared, and gifts are no exception. They must be declared at actual value and may involve tariffs and value-added tax.
Q: Are in-ear earphones and over-ear headphones the same in HS code?
A: Both are classified under 851830, because this subheading covers all types of headphones and earphones, regardless of wearing style. However, if over-ear headphones have special functions such as noise cancellation, classification still needs to be determined based on the primary function.
Q: Which HS code should wireless Bluetooth earphones be classified under?
A: If wireless Bluetooth earphones are primarily used for audio playback, they are still classified under 851830. However, if they have independent communication functions (such as being used as a walkie-talkie), they may be classified under 851762. Classification should be determined based on the primary function.
Q: Do earphones with a microphone affect classification?
A: No, 851830 explicitly includes earphones combined with a microphone. However, it is necessary to indicate 'Whether Combined with Microphone' in the declaration elements for customs confirmation.
Q: How to check the import tariff rate for in-ear earphones?
A: The tariff rate needs to be checked according to the customs tariff of the destination country. For China, reference can be made to the 'Import and Export Tariff of the People's Republic of China', but rates may change. It is recommended to check the latest rates through the General Administration of Customs website or professional customs declaration systems.
Q: Does the earphone charging case need to be declared separately?
A: If the charging case is imported together with the earphones and sold as a whole, it is usually declared together with the earphones, but must be noted in the packaging specification. If imported separately, it may need to be declared under a different code.
Q: Do in-ear earphones classified under 851830 require 3C certification?
A: According to relevant Chinese regulations, some earphones may require 3C certification, depending on product function and purpose. It is recommended to consult professional certification agencies or customs.
Q: How to declare earphones for cross-border e-commerce retail export?
A: Cross-border e-commerce retail export needs to be declared according to customs requirements, usually using a simplified declaration model, but HS codes and declaration elements must be accurately filled in to ensure correct classification.
Q: If earphones are gifts, do they still need to be declared?
A: Yes, all import and export commodities must be declared, and gifts are no exception. They must be declared at actual value and may involve tariffs and value-added tax.
⚠️ 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.