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 main chapter for technology-intensive products in the HS classification, involving various types of equipment for the production, transformation, storage, transmission, distribution, and use of electrical energy, ranging from household appliances to industrial electrical installations. Heading 8535 includes electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits, or for making connections to or in electrical circuits, for a voltage exceeding 1000 V, such as automatic circuit breakers, isolators, lightning arresters, voltage limiters, surge suppressors, plugs and sockets, etc. These apparatus are mainly used for safety control and circuit making and breaking in high-voltage power systems. The first 2 digits 85 = Chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment); digits 3-4, 35 = heading 8535 (high-voltage switching, protecting, or connecting apparatus); digits 5-6, 21 = subheading 853521, specifically automatic circuit breakers, for a voltage exceeding 1000 V. Level-by-level refinement: the chapter determines the broad category, the heading locks in high-voltage electrical apparatus, and the subheading specifies automatic circuit breakers with a voltage exceeding 1000 V. The goods are automatic circuit breakers with a voltage exceeding 1000 V, conforming to the description of heading 8535, 'electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits, or for making connections to or in electrical circuits.' Subheading 853521 explicitly names 'automatic circuit breakers, for a voltage exceeding 1000 V,' so the goods are classified under this code. If the voltage does not exceed 1000 V, they should be classified under 853620; if they are other high-voltage switching apparatus, they should be classified under other subheadings of 8535.
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 main chapter for technology-intensive products in the HS classification, involving various types of equipment for the production, transformation, storage, transmission, distribution, and use of electrical energy, ranging from household appliances to industrial electrical installations.
Heading
Heading 8535 includes electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits, or for making connections to or in electrical circuits, for a voltage exceeding 1000 V, such as automatic circuit breakers, isolators, lightning arresters, voltage limiters, surge suppressors, plugs and sockets, etc. These apparatus are mainly used for safety control and circuit making and breaking in high-voltage power systems.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 85 = Chapter 85 (electrical machinery and equipment); digits 3-4, 35 = heading 8535 (high-voltage switching, protecting, or connecting apparatus); digits 5-6, 21 = subheading 853521, specifically automatic circuit breakers, for a voltage exceeding 1000 V. Level-by-level refinement: the chapter determines the broad category, the heading locks in high-voltage electrical apparatus, and the subheading specifies automatic circuit breakers with a voltage exceeding 1000 V.
Classification Basis
The goods are automatic circuit breakers with a voltage exceeding 1000 V, conforming to the description of heading 8535, 'electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits, or for making connections to or in electrical circuits.' Subheading 853521 explicitly names 'automatic circuit breakers, for a voltage exceeding 1000 V,' so the goods are classified under this code. If the voltage does not exceed 1000 V, they should be classified under 853620; if they are other high-voltage switching apparatus, they should be classified under other subheadings of 8535.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared goods, such as 'automatic circuit breaker' or 'high-voltage automatic circuit breaker.' Brand: Fill in the manufacturer or brand name; if there is no brand, fill in 'no brand.' Model: Fill in the product model, which must be consistent with the actual goods. Voltage: Rated voltage value, which must exceed 1000 V. Current: Rated current value, in amperes. Use: Explain the usage scenario, such as 'for protection of high-voltage transmission lines.' Working principle: Briefly describe the operating principle of the automatic circuit breaker, such as 'thermal-magnetic' or 'electronic.' Product name: automatic circuit breaker; Brand: ABB; Model: SACE Emax 2; Voltage: 12 kV; Current: 1250 A; Use: for overload and short-circuit protection in medium-voltage distribution systems; Working principle: electronic trip. The voltage must be clearly greater than 1000 V, otherwise it may be classified under 8536. The brand and model must be consistent with the actual goods to avoid infringement or concealment. The use should be specific; merely writing 'electric power' may lead to classification disputes.
Product name
The specific name of the declared goods, such as 'automatic circuit breaker' or 'high-voltage automatic circuit breaker.'
⚠️ Mistakenly writing 'air switch' or 'earth leakage circuit breaker,' leading to classification deviation.
Brand
Fill in the manufacturer or brand name; if there is no brand, fill in 'no brand.'
⚠️ Mistakenly filling in the distributor as the brand, or omitting the brand and causing customs questioning.
Model
Fill in the product model, which must be consistent with the actual goods.
⚠️ Incomplete model entry or inconsistency with the instruction manual.
Voltage
Rated voltage value, which must exceed 1000 V.
⚠️ Mistakenly filling in operating voltage or insulation voltage, leading to classification errors.
Current
Rated current value, in amperes.
⚠️ Omitting the entry or confusing rated current with short-circuit current.
Use
Explain the usage scenario, such as 'for protection of high-voltage transmission lines.'
⚠️ Use description is too general, such as 'for electric power.'
Working principle
Briefly describe the operating principle of the automatic circuit breaker, such as 'thermal-magnetic' or 'electronic.'
⚠️ Failure to fill in or incorrect principle, affecting classification.
Example： Product name: automatic circuit breaker; Brand: ABB; Model: SACE Emax 2; Voltage: 12 kV; Current: 1250 A; Use: for overload and short-circuit protection in medium-voltage distribution systems; Working principle: electronic trip.
Common Mistakes：
The voltage must be clearly greater than 1000 V, otherwise it may be classified under 8536.
The brand and model must be consistent with the actual goods to avoid infringement or concealment.
The use should be specific; merely writing 'electric power' may lead to classification disputes.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is: 1. Product function: automatic circuit breaker, used for circuit overload and short-circuit protection; 2. Voltage parameter: rated voltage greater than 1000 V; 3. Heading 8535 explicitly names 'automatic circuit breakers, for a voltage exceeding 1000 V.' Reference is also made to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System for heading 8535, confirming that it applies to the control and protection of high-voltage circuits. 853620 Automatic circuit breakers (voltage ≤1000 V): Voltage not exceeding 1000 V, usually used in low-voltage distribution systems, whereas 853521 specifically refers to high voltage. 853530 Isolating switches and make-and-break switches (voltage >1000 V): Isolating switches have no automatic protection function and are only used for circuit isolation, whereas automatic circuit breakers have automatic trip protection. 853540 Lightning arresters, voltage limiters, and surge suppressors: The function is overvoltage protection rather than overcurrent protection, and they do not cut off the circuit. 853590 Other high-voltage switching, protecting, or connecting apparatus: These are other apparatus not named under heading 8535, such as high-voltage plugs and sockets; automatic circuit breakers are already specifically named. Is the voltage clearly greater than 1000 V? Does it have the protection function of automatically cutting off the circuit? Is it used for power distribution or control? Is low-voltage automatic circuit breakers (853620) excluded? Are other high-voltage switching apparatus (other subheadings of 8535) excluded?
Basis
The core basis for classification is: 1. Product function: automatic circuit breaker, used for circuit overload and short-circuit protection; 2. Voltage parameter: rated voltage greater than 1000 V; 3. Heading 8535 explicitly names 'automatic circuit breakers, for a voltage exceeding 1000 V.' Reference is also made to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System for heading 8535, confirming that it applies to the control and protection of high-voltage circuits.
Voltage not exceeding 1000 V, usually used in low-voltage distribution systems, whereas 853521 specifically refers to high voltage.
853530 - Isolating switches and make-and-break switches (voltage >1000 V)
Isolating switches have no automatic protection function and are only used for circuit isolation, whereas automatic circuit breakers have automatic trip protection.
853540 - Lightning arresters, voltage limiters, and surge suppressors
The function is overvoltage protection rather than overcurrent protection, and they do not cut off the circuit.
853590 - Other high-voltage switching, protecting, or connecting apparatus
These are other apparatus not named under heading 8535, such as high-voltage plugs and sockets; automatic circuit breakers are already specifically named.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the voltage clearly greater than 1000 V?
✓ Does it have the protection function of automatically cutting off the circuit?
✓ Is it used for power distribution or control?
✓ Is low-voltage automatic circuit breakers (853620) excluded?
✓ Are other high-voltage switching apparatus (other subheadings of 8535) excluded?
❓ FAQ
How can I check the tariff rate for HS code 853521? You can check the corresponding import and export tariff rates by entering HS code 853521 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, the International Trade Single Window, or a professional tariff inquiry platform. Note that tariff rates are adjusted with policy changes, so the latest official data should prevail. If an automatic circuit breaker has a voltage of exactly 1000 V, which code should it be classified under? Heading 8535 requires a voltage exceeding 1000 V. If the voltage is equal to 1000 V, it does not meet the 'exceeding' condition and should be classified under 8536 (electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits, etc., for a voltage not exceeding 1000 V), specifically 853620. What are the consequences of filling in the voltage incorrectly during declaration? It may lead to classification errors, affecting tariffs and regulatory conditions, and may even be determined by customs as inaccurate declaration, resulting in supplementary duties, fines, or administrative penalties. Be sure to ensure the accuracy of voltage parameters. How are automatic circuit breakers and isolating switches distinguished in classification? Automatic circuit breakers have an automatic trip protection function and are classified under 853521; isolating switches have no automatic protection and are only used to isolate circuits, so they are classified under 853530. During declaration, they should be accurately distinguished based on functional descriptions. Can imported used automatic circuit breakers be classified under 853521? Yes, but they must comply with the import regulations for used mechanical and electrical products, which may involve pre-shipment inspection, licenses, etc. The classification itself is still determined by voltage and function. Under which code should parts of automatic circuit breakers be classified? If they are dedicated parts, they are generally classified under 8538 (parts of 8535), but it is necessary to confirm whether they are parts named under other headings. Complete machines and parts are classified differently and must not be confused. How can one determine whether an automatic circuit breaker is for high voltage? Mainly by checking whether the rated voltage exceeds 1000 V. Usually the product nameplate or instruction manual will indicate the rated voltage, such as 12 kV, 24 kV, etc., all of which exceed 1000 V. Are there special provisions for the classification of automatic circuit breakers sold via cross-border e-commerce retail? Goods sold via cross-border e-commerce retail still need to be classified according to HS codes, but may be subject to postal tax or cross-border e-commerce comprehensive tax. The classification principles remain unchanged, and elements such as voltage and function must be accurately declared.
Q: How can I check the tariff rate for HS code 853521?
A: You can check the corresponding import and export tariff rates by entering HS code 853521 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, the International Trade Single Window, or a professional tariff inquiry platform. Note that tariff rates are adjusted with policy changes, so the latest official data should prevail.
Q: If an automatic circuit breaker has a voltage of exactly 1000 V, which code should it be classified under?
A: Heading 8535 requires a voltage exceeding 1000 V. If the voltage is equal to 1000 V, it does not meet the 'exceeding' condition and should be classified under 8536 (electrical apparatus for switching or protecting electrical circuits, etc., for a voltage not exceeding 1000 V), specifically 853620.
Q: What are the consequences of filling in the voltage incorrectly during declaration?
A: It may lead to classification errors, affecting tariffs and regulatory conditions, and may even be determined by customs as inaccurate declaration, resulting in supplementary duties, fines, or administrative penalties. Be sure to ensure the accuracy of voltage parameters.
Q: How are automatic circuit breakers and isolating switches distinguished in classification?
A: Automatic circuit breakers have an automatic trip protection function and are classified under 853521; isolating switches have no automatic protection and are only used to isolate circuits, so they are classified under 853530. During declaration, they should be accurately distinguished based on functional descriptions.
Q: Can imported used automatic circuit breakers be classified under 853521?
A: Yes, but they must comply with the import regulations for used mechanical and electrical products, which may involve pre-shipment inspection, licenses, etc. The classification itself is still determined by voltage and function.
Q: Under which code should parts of automatic circuit breakers be classified?
A: If they are dedicated parts, they are generally classified under 8538 (parts of 8535), but it is necessary to confirm whether they are parts named under other headings. Complete machines and parts are classified differently and must not be confused.
Q: How can one determine whether an automatic circuit breaker is for high voltage?
A: Mainly by checking whether the rated voltage exceeds 1000 V. Usually the product nameplate or instruction manual will indicate the rated voltage, such as 12 kV, 24 kV, etc., all of which exceed 1000 V.
Q: Are there special provisions for the classification of automatic circuit breakers sold via cross-border e-commerce retail?
A: Goods sold via cross-border e-commerce retail still need to be classified according to HS codes, but may be subject to postal tax or cross-border e-commerce comprehensive tax. The classification principles remain unchanged, and elements such as voltage and function must be accurately declared.
⚠️ 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.