Product group · Electrical & Electronics
Electrical & Electronics HS Code Lookup & Import Procedure
Electrical and electronics is Vietnam's largest import group by value, spanning components and chips through home appliances and consumer electronics. For SME importers the two biggest challenges are not duty (many lines are already 0%) but: telling complete equipment from components for correct classification, and determining whether a shipment requires energy labelling or conformity certification before it can be distributed. Enter your product in the tool below to find the code, duty, FTA preferences and policy.
Chapter 85 (& 84, 94)Look up the HS code for this product group
Vietnam HS code (HS Code) & import–export tariff lookup
10,800+ HS codes · Import duty / VAT / 16 FTA preferences · Specialized management policies — AI understands plain-language descriptions.
Type a product name (e.g. “smartphone”), an HS code (e.g. “8517”), or paste an Invoice / Catalogue image for AI extraction.
Overview
Electrical and electronic equipment concentrates in Chapter 85 (electrical machines, equipment and parts), with overlaps into Chapter 84 (computers, data-processing machines) and Chapter 94 (complete lamps and luminaires). Duty is low thanks to the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and the FTA network, but technical-quality management is heavy. Most importer risk lies in three areas: classifying correctly across complete equipment, parts and components (integrated circuits, diodes, transistors have their own headings); many power-using devices fall under mandatory energy labelling (Circular 52/2025/TT-BCT); and home electrical appliances and radio-transmitting devices require conformity certification/declaration under the Ministry of Science and Technology QCVNs.
Related product groups
- Machinery & Equipment — the Chapter 84 (mechanical machinery) ↔ Chapter 85 (electrical equipment) boundary and used-machinery rules under Decision 18/2019/QĐ-TTg.
Common HS codes
| HS code | Description |
|---|---|
| 8504 | Transformers, electrical converters, UPS, chargers, adapters |
| 8516 | Electrothermal home appliances: kettles/water heaters, irons, heaters, rice cookers |
| 8517 | Telephones, smartphones, routers, modems, network equipment |
| 8518 | Loudspeakers, microphones, headphones, audio amplifiers |
| 8528 | Monitors, projectors, television receivers (TV) |
| 8536 | Switching/protection apparatus ≤1000V: sockets, switches, breakers, relays |
| 8537 | Electrical panels, control boards, distribution boards |
| 8539 | Lamps: incandescent, fluorescent, LED (bulb/light source) |
| 8541 | Diodes, transistors, photovoltaic cells, LED chips |
| 8542 | Electronic integrated circuits (IC) |
| 8544 | Electric wire, cable, fibre-optic cable |
| 8508 / 8509 | Vacuum cleaners and electromechanical home appliances with a motor |
Duty rates & FTA preferences
Many electronic components and devices have 0% MFN duty thanks to the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) that Vietnam joined; some home appliances (fans, rice cookers, kettles, electrothermal goods) are higher (usually 5–25%). VAT is commonly 10%. The largest sources are China and Korea, then Japan, ASEAN and Taiwan. Goods with a valid C/O from an FTA partner may receive special preferential duty — ACFTA/RCEP (form E from China), VKFTA (Korea), AJCEP/VJEPA (Japan), ATIGA, EVFTA, CPTPP. Use the tool above to look up the specific HS code and rate.
Applicable FTAs
Import procedure
- 1
Classify at the right equipment level
Distinguish complete equipment, parts and components (integrated circuits 8542, diodes/transistors 8541 have their own headings). Rely on the catalogue and technical documents.
- 2
Check whether the device needs energy labelling
Check against Circular 52/2025/TT-BCT (effective 01/01/2026). If listed, energy-efficiency testing and an energy label must be completed before the product is placed on the market.
- 3
Check whether conformity certification/declaration applies
Home electrical appliances (safety + EMC) and radio-transmitting/IT devices (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) require conformity under Ministry of Science and Technology QCVNs. Register quality inspection and test at a designated body.
- 4
Label the goods
Per Decree 43/2017/NĐ-CP and Decree 111/2021/NĐ-CP (Vietnamese sub-label: product name, origin, importer, specifications, safety warnings).
- 5
File the declaration, pay duties & clear
Submit the declaration with documents, C/O (if claiming FTA preference) and the quality-inspection/conformity registration (if applicable); pay import duty and VAT. Energy labelling and conformity declaration are mostly completed before the goods reach the market.
Specialised management & licences
Energy labelling (Circular 52/2025/TT-BCT)
Effective 01/01/2026, it lists devices that must be energy-labelled when produced, imported or distributed: home appliances (LED lamps, air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, rice cookers, electric fans, TVs, water heaters, induction/infrared cookers, microwave ovens); office and commercial equipment (copiers, printers, computer monitors, laptops/desktops, commercial refrigerated cabinets, commercial air conditioners); industrial equipment (distribution transformers, electric motors, LED street lighting). Managed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
Safety & electromagnetic-compatibility (EMC) conformity
Home electrical and electronic devices must be certified or declared conformant to Ministry of Science and Technology QCVNs (traditionally QCVN 4:2009/BKHCN on safety and QCVN 9:2012/BKHCN on EMC — being integrated/updated). Testing is at a designated body; registration via the National Single Window. A conformity certificate is usually valid per model — re-importing the same model only needs a declaration.
Radio-transmitting & IT equipment (Circular 29/2025/TT-BKHCN)
Devices with radio transmission (Wi-Fi routers, Bluetooth devices, walkie-talkies…) are group-2 products in the IT and telecoms field and require conformity certification/declaration. Wi-Fi 6E/7 6 GHz-band devices fall under QCVN 136:2025/BKHCN.
New risk-based management framework (in transition)
Decree 37/2026/NĐ-CP (implementing the Law on Product and Goods Quality No. 78/2025/QH15) and Circular 14/2026/TT-BKHCN move conformity management to risk-based classification (low/medium/high). Watch for the updated lists and QCVNs as they apply.
Common classification mistakes
Computer monitor or multi-function/TV display? (8528 — one digit, different duty)
Display monitors all sit in heading 8528, but the subheading drives the duty. A monitor solely for a data-processing machine (computer-connected) takes one subheading; a monitor that also receives TV signals or various video inputs takes another and may carry higher duty. Real-world example: a batch of monitors with HDMI/AV ports declared as "computer monitors" at low duty — but if they are actually multi-function displays receiving TV signals, the corresponding subheading applies; mis-declaring leads to wrong duty and assessment/back-duty risk. Computer monitors are now also on the energy-labelling list (Circular 52/2025/TT-BCT).
LED: lamp (8539, Chapter 85) or complete luminaire (9405, Chapter 94)?
A very common classification trap. LED bulbs and LED light sources as replacement components take heading 8539 (Chapter 85); but complete luminaires — desk lamps, LED floodlights, ceiling fixtures, panel lights with housing and mounting — take heading 9405 (Chapter 94). Double consequence: different duty, and LED products are on the energy-labelling list and subject to conformity certification. Identifying the LED type also decides which QCVN applies — one of the most common reasons conformity dossiers are rejected.
Complete equipment vs components with their own codes
Integrated circuits (8542), diodes/transistors/LED chips (8541), capacitors and resistors have their own headings and must be classified there, not lumped into a finished device just because they ship together.
Forgetting energy labelling / conformity
Many businesses classify correctly but overlook that a device is on the energy-labelling list or subject to conformity. Goods may clear customs but cannot be sold until completed, leading to stuck inventory and penalty risk.
Frequently asked questions
Do imported LED lamps need energy labelling and conformity?
Yes. LED lamps are on the mandatory energy-labelling list under Circular 52/2025/TT-BCT and subject to conformity certification/declaration. Note the classification: LED bulbs/light sources take heading 8539 (Chapter 85), while complete luminaires take heading 9405 (Chapter 94).
Are imported electronics duty-free?
Many components and devices have 0% MFN duty thanks to the Information Technology Agreement (ITA); some home appliances still carry 5–25%. Goods from FTA partners with a valid C/O may receive special preferential duty. Look up the specific HS code for the rate.
What is needed to import Wi-Fi routers and Bluetooth devices?
Radio-transmitting devices are group-2 products in the IT and telecoms field (Circular 29/2025/TT-BKHCN) and require conformity certification/declaration before distribution.
Do computer monitors and TVs share the same HS code?
Same heading 8528 but different subheadings and possibly different duty. Determine the function correctly (computer-connected only, or receiving TV signals) for accurate classification.
What conformity do home electrical appliances need?
Home electrical appliances must be certified/declared conformant on safety and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) under Ministry of Science and Technology QCVNs, tested at a designated body before distribution.
Advisory
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