What HS code 8549.21 covers
HS code 8549.21 classifies electrical and electronic waste and scrap; of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metal, containing primary cells and batteries, electric accumulators, mercury-switches, glass from cathode ray tubes or other activated glass, or electrical. It is a subheading of heading 8549 (Electrical and electronic waste and scrap), in chapter 85 (Electrical machinery and equipment and parts thereof; sound recorders and reproducers; television image and sound recorders and reproducers, parts and accessories of such articles), section XVI of the Harmonized System. These six digits are identical in every country that uses the HS.
Classification path
Import duty for 8549.21
Base MFN rate only. Section 301 and 2025 IEEPA tariffs can stack on top for goods from China.
Source: HTSUS / CBP
Erga-omnes (third-country) MFN rate. Import VAT of 17 to 27 percent by country, and any anti-dumping measures, apply separately.
Source: TARIC
Imported this in 2024 or 2025?
Courts voided some of the tariffs importers paid on goods like this. You may be owed money back. The audit is free and we only get paid when you do.
Related codes in heading 8549
Not quite the right fit? These subheadings sit under the same heading and are the most common alternatives to 8549.21.
- 8549.11 Waste and scrap of lead-acid accumulators; spent lead-acid accumulators
- 8549.12 Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, containing lead, cadmium or mercury, other than lead-acid accumulators
- 8549.13 Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, sorted by chemical type and not containing lead, cadmium or mercury
- 8549.14 Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, spent or not, unsorted and not containing lead, cadmium or mercury
- 8549.19 Waste and scrap; of primary cells, primary batteries and electric accumulators, n.e.c. in item no 8549.1
- 8549.29 Waste and scrap; of a kind used principally for the recovery of precious metal n.e.c. in item no 8549.21
- 8549.31 Electrical and electronic waste and scrap; electrical and electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards, other than those used principally for the recovery of precious metal, containing primary cells and batteries, electric accumulators, mercury-switch
- 8549.39 Waste and scrap; electrical and electronic assemblies and printed circuit boards, other than those used principally for the recovery of precious metal n.e.c. in item no 8549.31
- 8549.91 Waste and scrap; n.e.c. in heading no 8549
- 8549.99 Waste and scrap; n.e.c. in item no 8549.91
Confirm the code for your exact product
A 6-digit subheading still covers a range of products. The wrong code at the border can mean overpaying duty, a delayed shipment, or a penalty. Describe your exact item and HS Mate confirms whether 8549.21 is right, with the duty rate and an audit trail your customs broker can accept.