Subheading · Chapter 85 · Heading 8531
8531.10: Burglar or fire alarms and similar apparatus
Burglar and fire alarms
8531.10 is the HS subheading for burglar and fire alarms, under heading 8531 in chapter 85.
What you pay
Importing into UK
Rates by national line · UK Global Tariff
UK lines →- 8531 10 00 00 Burglar or fire alarms and similar apparatus
- 8531 10 30 00 Of a kind used for buildings 2%p/st
- 8531 10 95 00 Other p/st
- 8531 10 95 10 For use in civil aircraft p/st
- 8531 10 95 90 Other 2%p/st
Additional duties and import rules
Charges on top of the customs duty, and rules the goods must meet at the border.
Additional duties and charges 4
- Additional dutyAdditional duties 35%
- Applies to goods from
- Belarus, Russia
- Legal act
- 2022 No. 376
- Documents
- 9008
- Duty suspensionAirworthiness tariff suspension Free
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- S.I. 2018/1249
- Documents
- C119 Authorised Release Certificate — EASA Form 1 (Appendix I to Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012), or equivalent certificate
- Duty suspensionNon preferential duty under end-use Free
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- S.I. 2020/1430
- Documents
- N990 EUS - Authorisation for the use of end use procedure (Column 8c, Annex A of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446)
- Tariff lines
- on 1 of 3 lines
- Duty suspensionSuspension - goods for certain categories of ships, boats and other vessels and for drilling or production platforms Free
- Applies to goods from
- all countries
- Legal act
- 2020 No. 1431
- Documents
- C990 End use authorisation ships and platforms (Column 8c, Annex A of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/2446)
- Tariff lines
- on 1 of 3 lines
Import requirements 3
- Prohibition or restrictionImport prohibition
- Applies to goods from
- North Korea
- Legal act
- S.I. 2019/411
- Import controlRestriction on entry into free circulation
- Applies to goods from
- Russia, Ukraine
- Legal act
- 2023 No. 440, S.I. 2022/395
- Documents
- 9011
- 9022
- 9038
- 9009
- 9010
- 9017
- Import controlImport control on luxury goods
- Applies to goods from
- North Korea
- Legal act
- S.I. 2019/411
- Documents
- Y945 Travellers' personal effects or goods of a non-commercial nature for travellers' personal use contained in their luggage (Art 10.2 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1509)
- Y946 Goods necessary for the official purposes of diplomatic or consular missions of Member States in the DPRK or international organisations enjoying immunities in accordance with international law, or to the personal effects of their staff (Art 10.3 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1509)
- Y948 Goods other than those described in Annex VIII (Luxury goods) of Reg. (EU) 2017/1509
Preferential rates by country
| Agreement or scheme | Countries | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| standard rate (no agreement) | — | 2% |
| DCTS Comprehensive | Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin and 38 moreAfghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo - Kinshasa, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Kiribati, Laos, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Myanmar (Burma), Nepal, Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé & Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tuvalu, Uganda, Yemen, Zambia | Free |
| European Union (including code " EU") | Free | |
| DCTS Enhanced | Algeria, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Congo - Brazzaville and 13 moreAlgeria, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Congo - Brazzaville, Cook Islands, Kyrgyzstan, Micronesia, Mongolia, Nigeria, Niue, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu | Free |
| CARIFORUM | Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize and 10 moreAntigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago | Free |
| OCTs (Overseas Countries and Territories) | Anguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands and 7 moreAnguilla, Bermuda, British Indian Ocean Territory, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, South Georgia & South Sandwich Islands, St Helena, Turks & Caicos Islands | Free |
| Central America | Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama | Free |
| SADC EPA | Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia | Free |
| Eastern and Southern Africa States | Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Zimbabwe | Free |
| CPTPP | Brunei, Malaysia | Free |
| UK–Andorra agreement | Andorra | Free |
| UK–Albania agreement | Albania | Free |
| UK–Australia agreement | Australia | Free |
| UK–Canada agreement | Canada | Free |
| UK–Switzerland agreement | Switzerland | Free |
| UK–Côte d’Ivoire agreement | Côte d’Ivoire | Free |
| UK–Chile agreement | Chile | Free |
| UK–Cameroon agreement | Cameroon | Free |
| UK–Colombia agreement | Colombia | Free |
| UK–Ceuta & Melilla agreement | Ceuta & Melilla | Free |
| UK–Ecuador agreement | Ecuador | Free |
| UK–Egypt agreement | Egypt | Free |
| UK–Fiji agreement | Fiji | Free |
| UK–Faroe Islands agreement | Faroe Islands | Free |
| UK–Georgia agreement | Georgia | Free |
| UK–Ghana agreement | Ghana | Free |
| DCTS Standard | Indonesia | Free |
| UK–Israel agreement | Israel | Free |
| UK–India agreement | India | Free |
| UK–Iceland agreement | Iceland | Free |
| UK–Jordan agreement | Jordan | Free |
| UK–Japan agreement | Japan | Free |
| UK–Kenya agreement | Kenya | Free |
| UK–South Korea agreement | South Korea | Free |
| UK–Lebanon agreement | Lebanon | Free |
| UK–Liechtenstein agreement | Liechtenstein | Free |
| UK–Morocco agreement | Morocco | Free |
| UK–Moldova agreement | Moldova | Free |
| UK–North Macedonia agreement | North Macedonia | Free |
| UK–Mexico agreement | Mexico | Free |
| UK–Norway agreement | Norway | Free |
| UK–New Zealand agreement | New Zealand | Free |
| UK–Peru agreement | Peru | Free |
| UK–Papua New Guinea agreement | Papua New Guinea | Free |
| UK–Palestinian Territories agreement | Palestinian Territories | Free |
| UK–Serbia agreement | Serbia | Free |
| UK–Solomon Islands agreement | Solomon Islands | Free |
| UK–Singapore agreement | Singapore | Free |
| UK–San Marino agreement | San Marino | Free |
| UK–Tunisia agreement | Tunisia | Free |
| UK–Türkiye agreement | Türkiye | Free |
| UK–Ukraine agreement | Ukraine | Free |
| UK–Vietnam agreement | Vietnam | Free |
| UK–Samoa agreement | Samoa | Free |
| UK–Kosovo agreement | Kosovo | Free |
| UK–South Africa agreement | South Africa | Free |
UK: imports by month
Main suppliers, last 12 months
| Country | Value | Share | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
 Ireland | £176.9m | 44.8% | +23.9% |
 China | £63.6m | 16.1% | -11.6% |
 United States | £28.2m | 7.1% | +1% |
 Ukraine | £19.1m | 4.8% | +142.2% |
 Italy | £15.7m | 4% | +16.1% |
 Romania | £11.3m | 2.9% | +19.8% |
 New Zealand | £9.4m | 2.4% | +16.7% |
 Poland | £9.4m | 2.4% | -41.3% |
Same subheading in other tariffs
World trade in 2024
Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$98.7kUS$98.7k+US$10.4m+US$78.7m+> US$351.4m
Exports: 171
- China: US$988.4m
- Mexico: US$518.8m
- United States: US$396.9m
- Ireland: US$374.3m
- United Kingdom: US$364.5m
- Germany: US$351.4m
- Malaysia: US$226.7m
- Italy: US$210.5m
- Netherlands: US$180m
- Taiwan: US$166.2m
- Romania: US$152.6m
- France: US$134.9m
- Israel: US$130.7m
- Poland: US$117.7m
- Sweden: US$103.3m
- Ukraine: US$100.5m
- Spain: US$78.7m
- Japan: US$70.8m
- Switzerland: US$66.7m
- Singapore: US$54.7m
- South Korea: US$43.3m
- Czechia: US$43m
- Bulgaria: US$40.2m
- Hungary: US$36.6m
- Hong Kong SAR China: US$33.8m
- Indonesia: US$33.3m
- Austria: US$31.1m
- Russia: US$29.3m
- Portugal: US$28.7m
- Türkiye: US$27.6m
- India: US$27m
- Vietnam: US$26.4m
- Norway: US$26.2m
- Canada: US$26m
- Thailand: US$22.8m
- Denmark: US$21.3m
- Slovakia: US$16.8m
- Belgium: US$16.6m
- New Zealand: US$13.7m
- Finland: US$12.8m
- Australia: US$10.8m
- United Arab Emirates: US$10.4m
- Slovenia: US$10m
- Lithuania: US$9.5m
- Croatia: US$9.5m
- South Africa: US$6.4m
- Philippines: US$6.3m
- Brazil: US$5.7m
- Tunisia: US$5.4m
- Greece: US$5.3m
- Estonia: US$4.6m
- Kazakhstan: US$3.9m
- Latvia: US$3.7m
- Dominican Republic: US$2.1m
- Serbia: US$1.7m
- Morocco: US$1.5m
- Luxembourg: US$1.3m
- Lebanon: US$1.3m
- Cyprus: US$1.2m
- El Salvador: US$721.1k
Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$1.6mUS$1.6m+US$12.9m+US$69.3m+> US$150.1m
Imports: 218
- United States: US$851m
- Germany: US$522.5m
- United Kingdom: US$480.7m
- Netherlands: US$280.5m
- France: US$259.7m
- Spain: US$185.7m
- Canada: US$150.1m
- Poland: US$141m
- Sweden: US$133m
- Italy: US$125m
- China: US$124.4m
- Australia: US$97m
- United Arab Emirates: US$94.4m
- Saudi Arabia: US$89.9m
- India: US$79.5m
- Singapore: US$78.7m
- Hong Kong SAR China: US$77.6m
- Belgium: US$77.2m
- Norway: US$72.6m
- Algeria: US$71.2m
- Switzerland: US$70.3m
- Austria: US$69.3m
- Vietnam: US$64.8m
- Mexico: US$64.4m
- Türkiye: US$61.5m
- Ireland: US$49.7m
- Japan: US$49.2m
- Czechia: US$48.9m
- South Korea: US$47.1m
- Denmark: US$43.9m
- Indonesia: US$40.9m
- Finland: US$36.1m
- Romania: US$35.3m
- Brazil: US$32.9m
- Thailand: US$32.5m
- Kazakhstan: US$30.4m
- Argentina: US$29.7m
- Portugal: US$27.3m
- Hungary: US$25.3m
- South Africa: US$25.2m
- Chile: US$24.6m
- Malaysia: US$23.7m
- Russia: US$23.1m
- Taiwan: US$22.2m
- Egypt: US$21.6m
- Greece: US$21.4m
- Qatar: US$18.2m
- Bangladesh: US$16.8m
- Philippines: US$16.1m
- Colombia: US$16m
- New Zealand: US$14.1m
- Lithuania: US$13.6m
- Serbia: US$13.2m
- Luxembourg: US$12.9m
- Slovenia: US$12.9m
- Peru: US$12.8m
- Croatia: US$11.9m
- Slovakia: US$11.8m
- Iraq: US$10.4m
- Morocco: US$10.1m
Top exporters
| Rank | Country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | US$988.4m | 18.1% |
| 2 |  Mexico | US$518.8m | 9.5% |
| 3 | United States | US$396.9m | 7.3% |
| 4 | Ireland | US$374.3m | 6.9% |
| 5 | United Kingdom | US$364.5m | 6.7% |
| 6 |  Germany | US$351.4m | 6.4% |
| 7 |  Malaysia | US$226.7m | 4.2% |
| 8 | Italy | US$210.5m | 3.9% |
| 9 |  Netherlands | US$180m | 3.3% |
| 10 |  Taiwan | US$166.2m | 3% |
Top importers
| Rank | Country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | US$851m | 15.6% |
| 2 | Germany | US$522.5m | 9.6% |
| 3 | United Kingdom | US$480.7m | 8.8% |
| 4 | Netherlands | US$280.5m | 5.1% |
| 5 |  France | US$259.7m | 4.8% |
| 6 |  Spain | US$185.7m | 3.4% |
| 7 |  Canada | US$150.1m | 2.8% |
| 8 | Poland | US$141m | 2.6% |
| 9 |  Sweden | US$133m | 2.4% |
| 10 | Italy | US$125m | 2.3% |
Binding rulings for similar goods 6
Decisions of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CROSS) and HMRC (Advance Tariff Rulings) on goods classified here. A ruling binds only its holder, but shows how the authorities classify similar goods. The descriptions are the authorities’ own, in English.
- N301630 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification of home alarms from China
- N281714 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification of a photoelectric smoke detector from Japan
- N275162 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification of touch-screen home security control panel from China Correction to Ruling Number N274275.
- N274275 U.S. CBP
The tariff classification of touch-screen home security control panel from China
- 600013219 HMRC
Leak Sensor to detect a single drop of water then send notifications to your app to keep you informed. It is placed in a location where you could expect an escape of water. The base of the device has metal strips that when touched by a water droplet, activate the leak sensor to make an alarm sound…
- 600011080 HMRC
Thermocable ProReact Digital Interface Monitor Module (DiMM). The product is a dual zone module for monitoring up to two zones of Thermocable ProReact Digital Linear Heat Detection (LHD) Cable. If an overheat or fire situation triggers either zone of the Digital LHD cable the unit automatically…
Recent rule changes mentioning this code
Acts whose text cites this code or its heading. Check the act itself: a code can be cited for reasons other than a change of its duty.
- Tariff change
UK Trade Tariff: measure changes on 103 commodity codes
Trade Tariff changes 2026-09-21 · Source: trade-tariff.service.gov.uk
- Tariff change
Update to VATZ Coverage – 8 September 2026
Trade Tariff news 8315 · Source: trade-tariff.service.gov.uk
- Import and export controls
FR Doc. 2026-14542 · 91 FR 45516 · Source: federalregister.gov
-
Import and export controls RG 11.07.2026 sayı 33307 · Tebliğ 2018/7 · Source: resmigazete.gov.tr
- Tariff change
FR Doc. 2026-11158 · 91 FR 33854 · Source: federalregister.gov
-
Sanctions · Applies from: CELEX 32026R0506 · Source: eur-lex.europa.eu
The UK Global Tariff divides subheading 8531.10 into 3 tariff lines; the duty is 2%.
In the EU Combined Nomenclature, subheading 8531.10 covers 2 tariff lines and the duty is 2.2%.
174 countries pay no duty in the UK thanks to trade agreements and preference schemes such as DCTS Comprehensive and European Union, against a standard rate of 2%.
In the UK, additional duty of 35% applies on top of the customs duty to goods from Belarus and Russia.
Imports of burglar and fire alarms into the UK came to £395.2m between September 2025 and August 2026 (up 4% on the year before); Ireland supplied 45%, followed by China.
In 2024, countries exported burglar and fire alarms worth US$5.5bn (+6.3% year on year).
The largest exporter was China (US$988.4m), followed by Mexico.
Products classified here
Questions and answers
What is the HS code for burglar or fire alarms and similar apparatus?
Burglar or fire alarms and similar apparatus fall under HS subheading 8531.10, part of heading 8531, in section XVI of the Harmonized System.
What is the import duty on burglar or fire alarms and similar apparatus in the UK?
Under the UK Global Tariff, imports under 8531.10 from countries without a preferential agreement are charged at 2%. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.
What is the import duty on burglar or fire alarms and similar apparatus in the EU?
Under the EU Combined Nomenclature, imports under 8531.10 from countries without a preferential agreement are charged at 2.2%. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.
Which country exports the most burglar or fire alarms and similar apparatus?
China, with US$988.4m in 2024 (18.1% of world exports).
Which countries can export burglar and fire alarms to the UK duty-free?
174 countries pay no duty under a trade agreement or preference scheme, among them partners under DCTS Comprehensive, European Union, DCTS Enhanced. The goods must meet the agreement’s rules of origin and the importer needs proof of origin; otherwise the standard rate of 2% applies. Pick a country above to see its rate.
Is there anti-dumping duty on burglar and fire alarms?
The UK charges additional duty of 35% on goods from Belarus and Russia. Lower rates apply to the named exporters listed in the measure.
Where does the UK import burglar and fire alarms from?
In the 12 months to August 2026, the largest suppliers were Ireland (45%), China (16%) and United States (7%), out of total imports of £395.2m.
Typical products
- burglar alarms, electric
- electric vapour alarms, electric
- fire alarms, electric
- gas alarms, electric
- gas detector with alarm, electric
- leak sensor, water
- smoke alarms, electric
- smoke detector with alarm, electric
Everyday names, not part of the legal text.