HS code for headphones in the European Union
Last updated
Key facts
- Most likely code
- 8518.30
- Candidate codes
- 1
- HS edition
- HS2022
- National lines
- 2
- General duty (MFN)
- 0%
Summary
Headphones imported into the European Union are usually classified under HS code 8518.30 when they are headphones or earphones, wired or wireless, with or without a microphone. It sits in heading 85.18, “Microphones and stands therefor; loudspeakers, whether or not mounted in their enclosures; headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and sets consisting of a microphone and one or more loudspeakers; audio- frequency electric amplifiers; electric sound amplifier sets”. The tariff of the European Union has 2 national lines under this code. The general (MFN) duty in the European Union on the national lines under 8518.30 is 0%.
How to choose the right code
Use 8518.30 when they are headphones or earphones, wired or wireless, with or without a microphone.
Some similar goods are classified elsewhere: 8518.22 applies when it is a speaker with several loudspeakers in one enclosure rather than headphones.
Codes for headphones
Each code is listed with its legal text from the HS2022 Harmonized System release, quoted as published, and the condition under which it applies to headphones.
- 8518.30
Most likely
Legal text: “Headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and sets consisting of a microphone and one or more loudspeakers”
Heading 85.18: “Microphones and stands therefor; loudspeakers, whether or not mounted in their enclosures; headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and sets consisting of a microphone and one or more loudspeakers; audio- frequency electric amplifiers; electric sound amplifier sets”
Applies when they are headphones or earphones, wired or wireless, with or without a microphone.
- 8518.22
Classified elsewhere
Legal text: “Loudspeakers, whether or not mounted in their enclosures: Multiple loudspeakers, mounted in the same enclosure”
Heading 85.18: “Microphones and stands therefor; loudspeakers, whether or not mounted in their enclosures; headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and sets consisting of a microphone and one or more loudspeakers; audio- frequency electric amplifiers; electric sound amplifier sets”
Applies when it is a speaker with several loudspeakers in one enclosure rather than headphones.
National lines in the European Union
The tariff of the European Union splits this code into 2 national lines, listed with their published text and general duty.
The general (MFN) duty in the European Union on the national lines under 8518.30 is 0%. Import VAT or sales tax is charged on top, and de minimis rules can change what is due; the landed cost calculator works it out for a shipment.
Under 8518.30
- 8518 30 00 10“For use in civil aircraft”0%
- 8518 30 00 90“Other”0%
Similar products
Products in the same category as headphones, or classified under the same headings.
- Computer keyboardsHS 8471.60
- Computer miceHS 8471.60
- Computer monitorsHS 8528.52
- Digital camerasHS 8525.89
- LaptopsHS 8471.30
- Memory cardsHS 8523.51
- Phone chargersHS 8504.40
- SmartphonesHS 8517.13
- Tablet computersHS 8471.30
- TelevisionsHS 8528.72
- USB cablesHS 8544.42
- USB flash drivesHS 8523.51
Other countries
National tariff lines for headphones are live for the United States. Each page lists the lines under the codes above, with their duty rates where they are live.
- Headphones in United States2 national lines, duty rates live
Check your exact product
Describe your product, or paste its page, and the classifier suggests the code in the tariff of the European Union with its reasons.
Classification depends on the exact product
The right code depends on what the product is made of, how it is made and what it is for, so two products sold as headphones can fall under different codes.
Guidance from published tariff data, not a binding ruling. For a decision customs must follow, apply to the destination’s customs authority for a binding tariff ruling.
Frequently asked questions
What is the HS code for headphones?
Headphones imported into the European Union are usually classified under HS code 8518.30 when they are headphones or earphones, wired or wireless, with or without a microphone. It sits in heading 85.18, “Microphones and stands therefor; loudspeakers, whether or not mounted in their enclosures; headphones and earphones, whether or not combined with a microphone, and sets consisting of a microphone and one or more loudspeakers; audio- frequency electric amplifiers; electric sound amplifier sets”.
What is the duty on headphones imported into the European Union?
The general (MFN) duty in the European Union on the national lines under 8518.30 is 0%. Import VAT or sales tax is charged on top, and de minimis rules can change what is due; the landed cost calculator works it out for a shipment.
Sources and updates
The legal texts are from the HS2022 Harmonized System release, live on border.bot since 11 October 2026.
The national lines are from the tariff release of EU (areas=https://circabc.europa.eu/sd/a/9e277705-ac42-441d-8580-90cd730d9bc6/Geographical%20areas%20composition.xlsx#?; duties=https://circabc.europa.eu/sd/a/bfb94607-8b4c-40c3-ad33-1efef11bb80a/Duties%20Import%2001-99.xlsx#?; exclusions=https://circabc.europa.eu/sd/a/4b3c682c-947c-4f34-932d-0b8d192537bd/Measure%20exclusions.xlsx#?; nomenclature=https://circabc.europa.eu/sd/a/13694f84-6980-4966-8c91-22459447b52b/Nomenclature%20EN.xlsx#?), live on border.bot since 11 October 2026.
The duty rates are from the live rates release, live on border.bot since 11 October 2026.
The conditions and questions on this page were written for headphones by border.bot and checked against those legal texts; the page changes when a new release goes live or the topic is reviewed again.