HS Code for Camera: A Guide for Photography Tools

In this digital era, cameras have evolved into a critical device for capturing photographic images or recording video for digital content. Despite the numerous smartphones with high-quality built-in cameras, the demand for regular cameras is not fading. Dedicated cameras offer higher-quality results than smartphone cameras. No wonder, photographic cameras are still in demand in the international market. The key procedure for exporting and importing cameras is declaring the HS code for the camera. This article will navigate the structure of the HS code for cameras, major trading actors, and how to find the accurate HS code for cameras. 

What is a camera, and what are the types of cameras? 

A camera is an optical device that works for capturing images and storing them directly in its storage. The captured images from the camera can be static or motion, or moving images, including videos or films. The terms of the camera derive from Latin terms of dark chamber, dubbed camera obscura, or the natural phenomenon of projecting the scene on the other screen through a small hole.

In the 19th century, camera obscura boxes were invented and used to expose light-sensitive material to project the images. The camera obscura box is the embryo of modern cameras to capture photographic images or videos after the invention of 35 mm film in 1934. After talking about the origin of cameras, we need to know the types of cameras in the market these days. 

1. Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) Cameras

DSLR cameras are known as cameras with mirror systems. This camera has high-quality results and allows users to see the lens in real time using an optical viewfinder (OVF). The drawback of a DSLR camera is that it requires effort to carry, particularly in secluded or extreme areas. 

2. Mirrorless Camera

Unlike DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras are cameras that have no use of a mirror system or optical viewfinder. This camera uses an electronic viewfinder or LCD screen to allow the image projected onto the sensor to be produced. No surprise that mirrorless cameras are more lightweight and compact compared to their DSLR counterparts.  

3. Compact Camera

Compact cameras are a type of camera design to be compact and lightweight. This camera is a fixed or non-interchangeable lens. In addition, compact digital cameras are point-and-shoot cameras that are purposely built to be simpler than the mirrorless and DSLR cameras for users. 

4. Instant Camera

An instant camera uses a chemical film that is able to generate an image instantly. The popular instant camera developed by Polaroid Corporation is able to self-develop film as part of its components. 

List of HS codes for cameras

After discovering the definitions and types of cameras, we will learn about the HS code for cameras. As we know, the HS code has a significant impact on the seamless export and import process. The universal code made by the World Customs Organization (WCO) is an essential component of global trade to identify the products in the destination country. 

HS code for cameras falls under Chapter 85 related to the electrical machinery and equipment, including television, sound equipment, and other electronic accessories. The subclassification of HS Heading to 8525 for transmission apparatus, including digital cameras. It can be subcategorized into subheadings depending on the camera types. 

Additionally, analog cameras are under Chapter 90 and Heading 9006. Then they are categorized more based on the types and specific functions.  

HS code	Description
8525.81	High-speed cameras, including CCTV or surveillance cameras
8525.89	Digital cameras, including mirrorless, DSLR cameras, dashcam, CCTV, and others
9006.30	Camera used for underwater or aerial view, surgical or other medical procedure
9006.40	Instant print cameras, including Polaroid
9006.53	Analog cameras for film with a width of 35 mm

Top cameras’ global trade partners 

Before finding the HS code for cameras, we need to comprehend the leading actors in the global trade of cameras. This insight is crucial to understanding what the producers and consumers of cameras all over the world are. However, the type of cameras is quite broad, and we can focus on digital cameras under the HS code 8525.89. The following table displays the biggest exporting countries of digital cameras in 2024

Country	Total Export Value (USD)
China	10,741,649,989
Germany	3,635,279,788
Thailand	2,710,756,505
Japan	2,544,027,618
United States of America	2,434,025,900

Source: UN Comtrade Database, retrieved 19 May 2026.

As the table shows above, the biggest exporter of digital cameras under HS code 8525.89 is China with more than 10,7 billion USD. The second place is Germany with an amount of more than 3.6 billion USD. The remaining exporting countries include Thailand, Japan, and the United States. 

Country	Total Import Value (USD)
United States of America	8,618,358,737
Germany	3,183,947,533
Japan	2,730,083,091
China	2,143,306,188
India	1,959,806,667

Source: UN Comtrade Database, retrieved 19 May 2026.

As the data displays above, the United States is no doubt the biggest importer of digital cameras with a value of more than 8.6 billion USD. The second biggest importer is Germany with more than slightly more than 3.1 billion USD. The remaining biggest consumers of digital cameras are Japan, China, and India. 

How to find the HS code for cameras

Now, it is time to find the HS code for cameras. From the explanation above, we can see that classifying HS code for cameras is quite complicated and needs the inclusion of characteristics. Therefore, the best way to find HS code for cameras is with the help of a third-party application to ensure accuracy and faster match the code. 

In this section, we will teach you how to find the HS code for cameras quickly with HSCodeMatch. For this example, we can use the trade flow between the two largest digital camera exporters and importers above, such as Thailand and the United States. 

Step 1: Set the product name, origin, and destination countries on the HSCodeMatch app

Open the HSCodeMatch application and find the HS Code Search tool. Directly set the product name, compact digital camera, origin country, Thailand, and destination country, the United States. 

Step 2: Check the list of HS codes for cameras

Once you submit the product’s name along with the countries, you will get the list of HS codes for compact digital cameras. Choose the highest probability match, which falls under HTSUS code 8525.89.40.00. 

Step 3: Find description and tariff rates on HS Code Details

In this section, you can check the description of the HS code and tariff rates mentioned on HS Code Details. There are also regulations and antidumping notification right beside the tariff rate information. 

Step 4: Ask the AI Chatbot Assistant for tariffs and regulations

To resolve your confusion about the HS code for cameras as well as the export and import procedure, you can ask an AI Chatbot Assistant. With the help of the AI, you can ask anything as long as relevant to the trade lanes between Thailand and the United States. 

For more understanding of the AI chatbot feature on the HSCodeMatch application, here are three examples of questions and answers regarding the exportation of digital cameras from Thailand to the United States. 

What are the procedures for exporting digital cameras from Thailand to the United States?

In order to export cameras from Thailand to the United States, there are some procedures that the exporter and importers need to follow. Check the following procedures. 

1. Procedure for exporting a camera from Thailand to the United States

Before exporting to the United States, cameras must follow the radio frequency (RF) devices and equipment authorization program from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). 

2. Definition of camera under customs classification

Camera products must be classified under the HS code for cameras. In these products, it can be categorized under the HS code 852589. 

3. Follow the export regulations from the Thai government

The Thai Ministry of Industry mentions the regulation for hazardous substances on electronic devices before being exported. Meanwhile, the exemption is only applicable to used electronic devices. 

4. Documentation for exporting electronic products

The documents needed to export cameras from Thailand to the United States include FCC Form 740, equipment authorization compliance, and exemption from hazardous substance registration for used electronic devices. 

Are there any restrictions on exporting used cameras to the U.S. under the FCC’s equipment authorization program?

FCC underlines that the cameras with the RF transmitter might be under restriction due to the potential of national security risks, and these types of cameras are mentioned under the Covered Lists. This program applies to new or used cameras if they have the prohibited components. In addition, all importations of cameras for personal and commercial purposes in the United States are subject to these restrictions. Recently, the FCC has proposed a limited exception to pre-authorization marketing under certain conditions. 

What are the penalties for importing digital cameras without FCC certification?

Not following the certification from the FCC is obviously a huge mistake for importing digital cameras to the United States. There are some penalties you will encounter if you do not meet the certification process from the FCC. 

As we know, the FCC prohibits the importation and marketing of equipment that does not follow the import order, including devices under the Covered List. The regulation from the FCC aims to promote safety and prevent potential security threats in the United States. The list of penalties includes as follows: 

• Prohibition of importation or marketing of camera products
• Revocation of the authorization due to not following the certification process from the FCC
• Enforcement action based on the Secure and Trusted Communication Networks Act of 2019. This action will be conducted through monetary or legal penalties. 

Conclusion 

Classifying HS code for cameras is indeed complicated and needs to be meticulous to avoid inaccuracy. The challenges to find the HS code for cameras are located in the components of the camera, their characteristics, and types. For instance, the HS code for CCTV or surveillance cameras can be subcategorized into 8525.81 or 8525.89. If the CCTV is a high-speed camera, then it is included in 8525.81, whereas if the camera is not high speed, it can be under the other cameras or HS code 8525.89. Meanwhile, analog cameras, such as instant cameras and disposable film cameras, are under Chapter 90 and Heading 9006 and further classified based on specific functions. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the HS code for a camera

1. What is the national variation of the HS code for compact digital cameras? 

The national variation of HS code for compact digital cameras in the United States is 8525.89.40.00. This HS code covers all of the digital still image video cameras entering the United States. 

2. What is the tariff rate for exporting digital cameras from Thailand to the United States? 

The tariff rate for exporting digital cameras or other related products from Thailand to the United States is 0% or zero tariff rate. This tariff rate is based on the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) or non-preferential regime, which means it is the same for other countries as well to export cameras to the United States. 

3. What is the HS code for CCTV and surveillance cameras in the United States? 

The HS code for CCTV cameras based on HTSUS classification is 8525.89.10. This code is exclusively for gyrostabilized television cameras, which use advanced systems to eliminate vibration. 

4. What are the main factors for classifying and determining the HS code for cameras?

The main factors to classify the HS code for cameras are based on the characteristics of the camera. For example, the digital camera, cameras for specific uses, instant cameras, or other analog cameras. 

5. Are the HS code classifications for digital and analog cameras different? 

Yes, they are different. HS code for digital cameras is under Chapter 85, and the full HS code is 8525.89. On the other hand, the HS code for analog cameras is under Chapter 9006, and then it can be further subcategorized based on the type of analog cameras.