HS Code for Printed Circuit Board

Electronic appliances have become an integral part of our lives. Thus, the existence of a printed circuit board (PCB) is automatically prominent. As it is now commonly used globally, the international trade of PCBs might be one of the promising sectors in the manufacturing industry. Want to learn more about PCBs and the HS code for printed circuit boards? Here are a few important lessons you can learn. 

What is a printed circuit board? 

Before tackling the HS code for printed circuit boards, let’s dive into the definition. A printed circuit board is often known as a PCB, which is a structure that consists of multiple electrical circuits and components with different functionalities. PCBs are everywhere these days as they represent current technological trends such as smartphones, LED lights, personal computers (PC), laptops, smartwatches, medical equipment, vehicles, and many more. 

Why do we need a printed circuit board? 

You may wonder why we use printed circuit boards almost everywhere. The key is their space-efficient traits. PCBs are varied in size, but mostly small and slim, yet powerful and multifunctional. It is proven to have reliable connections as well. Last, their modular construction allows builders to change and modify them to fit various purposes and needs. This explains why printed circuit boards have become one of the most eminent global commodities today. 

Evolution of printed circuit boards 

Printed circuit boards (PCBs) have undergone significant evolution in time. In the past, many electronic appliances were built by mounting small integrated circuits (ICs) and individual components using bakelite as the base board. In order to connect the components and circuits, builders would use a number of wires, which makes the circuit boards bulky and big. 

Not only does it require more space, but manufacturers also need more time to produce them. Nowadays, circuit boards are very small compared to old PCBs. The ICs are tinier, and advanced chips are integrated within the design to provide better connectivity and functionality. PCBs are also varied in types and sizes depending on the functions and necessities. In terms of material, modern printed circuit boards are made either with epoxy glass, Teflon, or metal. These materials have their own advantages and disadvantages, yet are generally flame-resistant, lightweight, and durable; hence, they are popular in use. 

What is the HS code for a printed circuit board? 

Hence, if you want to work in PCBs international trade, it is obligatory to know the HS code for printed circuit boards. Under the World Customs Organization (WCO), the HS code for printed circuit boards is regulated in Chapter 85. To be more precise, you can check the table below. 

From the table above, we can see that the HS code for printed circuit boards varies depending on the design, function, and condition. It is also to be noted that, unlike common HS code PCB, computer motherboards and other printed circuits designed for data processing machines fall under Chapter 84 instead of 85. Therefore, it is important to understand the nature and specification of the products you intend to trade to define the right HS code for printed circuit boards. 

The biggest players in the printed circuit boards trade

Now, who are the biggest players in the global printed circuit boards trade? This information may be helpful when you are about to conduct research on the HS code for printed circuit boards. Based on the United Nations Comtrade database in 2024, China is the biggest exporter of bare printed circuits, followed by Hong Kong, Other Asia (country not specified), South Korea, and Japan. 

Source: UN Comtrade Database, retrieved December 12, 2025

In terms of importers, Hong Kong remains in the top, followed by China and Other Asia (country not specified), Mexico, and South Korea. This data can be used to analyze and identify the emerging manufacturing countries, particularly in electrical appliances and tech products.

Source: UN Comtrade Database, retrieved December 12, 2025

Finding the HS code for PCBs using the HS Code Match 

Finding an accurate HS code for a printed circuit board is important. This is because the HS code is a requirement for customs clearance and ensures that your products can enter the destination country without problems. The declaration of HS code is crucial for customs authorities in order to identify the products, tariff rate, taxes, and other barriers before setting foot in the country. 

However, declaring the accurate HS code for the printed circuit board is indeed complicated due to the complex identification process. To ease the process of finding an HS code, you can try HS Code Match. Here is the step-by-step instruction to find the accurate HS code for PCBs using HS Code Match. 

• First step: You can open the HS Code Match application by clicking hscodematch.com on your device. Then, choose the origin and destination countries as well as the product name. For instance, we can use one of the biggest exporters and importers of PCBs, such as China and Mexico. 

• Second step: HS Code Match will automatically show the best HS code for the printed circuit board. From this example, we can try to choose the most recommended HS code for printed circuit boards in Mexico under the code 85340004. 

• Third step: After choosing the HS code 85340004, we will redirect to the HS Code Details page to check the detailed description of the HS code. You can check the HS code description to ensure whether it is the HS code that you are looking for or not. 

• Fourth step:  Not only looking for the HS code, but HS Code Match allows you to find the latest regulations in Mexico. HS Code Match will notify the latest regulation to make the user aware of the recent regime applied to these products. In addition, you can use the AI chatbot assistant to help you find the specific parts of the regulation or tariff that confuse you. 

There are examples of answers from an AI chatbot for exporting printed circuit boards under HS code 85340004 from China to Mexico: 

First question: Is there any additional tariff for exporting products under HS code 85340004 from China to Mexico?

Answer: There is no additional tariff for exporting printed circuit boards under HS code 85340004 from China to Mexico. This exemption of duty rate is applied to all countries, not only China, or known as the Most Favour Nations (MFN) regime. However, the United States authority has conducted an antidumping duty for these products originating from China since August 2014, but they have not found any specific product under this HS code. Moreover, there is no indication of any additional tariff rate for exporting these products by the Mexican Secretariat of Economy. Here is the table of explanation of tariff rate from China to Mexico: 

Second question: Does HS Code 85340004 fall under any specific Mexican product certification requirements?

Answer: Printed circuit board under HS code 85340004 from China is excluded from any certification requirements from the Mexican authorities. The only standard required for the electronic equipment product from China is equipment via wireline access to public telecommunication networks, namely PROY-NOM-196-SCFI-2015. On the other hand, the products of PROY-NOM-019-SCFI-2016 have a safety requirement based on information technology and office equipment, but it does not mention products under HS code 85340004. These products also do not have any link to the assessment procedures, laboratory testing requisites, or other obligatory licenses. Hence, some of the electronic devices might be subjected to a safety standard in Mexico, but the printed circuit board products under HS code 85340004 is not. Here is the summary table for the requirement standard for electronic products in Mexico. 

Third question: What are the government agencies in Mexico that are responsible for checking the standard of imported printed circuit boards under HS code 85340004 from China? 

Answer: The Mexican authority that is responsible for the standardization of electronic products, particularly imported printed circuit boards from abroad, including China, is the Federal Telecommunication Institute (IFT). This agency has the responsibility to confirm the technical compliance of imported products or other electronic products to ensure that they meet the standard under the Technical Provision IFT-004-2016. The IFT developed the guidelines for licensing and recognition of laboratories for testing products. Commonly, the standards are published in the Mexican Official Journal under the WTO TBT system. Then, the Secretaria de Economia will encourage the standardization process, and the Directorate General of Norma will play a role in the development and publication of these standards. Here is the table of standard agencies for electronic products in Mexico. 

Conclusion

HS code for printed circuit boards is generally ruled in Chapter 85 of the World Customs Organization (WCO). There, you can find variations of HS code for every PCB type you need, generally classified by functions such as telecommunications, picture and voice transmissions, lights, control panel, and many more. However, there is an exception for boards that are specifically designed for data processing machines, such as computer motherboards and data center servers. HS code for printed circuit boards, in that case, falls under chapter 84, which generally regulates machinery and mechanical appliances, including nuclear reactors, boilers, etc. This exception above works as a reminder that HS code PCB is a specific set of classifications that require meticulous research and product knowledge. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the HS code for PCBs

1. What is the HS code for printed circuit boards? 

HS code for bare (unassembled) printed circuit boards is 8534. However, for assembled circuits, there will be variations based on the purposes and functions of the appliances they are attached to. 

2. Does the HS code for printed circuit boards change based on the materials?

No, the HS code for printed circuit boards only changed or varied based on the functions and conditions. Once it is assembled into electronic or tech products, the HS code will change based on the purpose. For example, circuit boards that are assembled within smartphones and modems (communication) will fall under HS code 8517, while electric circuits within monitors and projectors (picture transmissions) have HS code 8528

3. Why do computer motherboards have a different HS code compared to other circuit boards? 

Motherboards are ruled out from Chapter 85 of the HS code regulation because they are assembled with other electronic components or also known as populated boards. It consists of a CPU socket, voltage regulators, RAM slots, connectors, capacitors, resistors, and chipsets. Motherboards also fall under the category of data processing machines, computers, and servers, which are included in Chapter 84, particularly heading 8471. 

4. Does the HS code PCB vary by country? 

Normally, the first six digits HS code for printed circuit boards are the same. Yet, the additional 8 to 10 digits or even 11 digits may vary according to the definitions and perceptions adopted by each country to identify the products, and also for statistical purposes. 

5. What is the tariff applied to imported printed circuit boards from China to Mexico? 

There is no tariff applied to the printed circuit boards from China by the Mexican government. These tariff rates are based on the non-preferential or Most Favored Nations (MFN), which means this duty is applied to other countries as well. 

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