Subheading · Chapter 85 · Heading 8531
8531.80: Electric sound or visual signalling apparatus: other apparatus
Other sound or visual signalling apparatus
Official description Other apparatus
8531.80 is the HS subheading for other sound or visual signalling apparatus, under heading 8531 in chapter 85.
What you pay
Importing into UK
Rates by national line · UK Global Tariff
UK lines →- 8531 80 00 00 Other apparatus
- 8531 80 40 00 Bells, buzzers, door chimes and similar
- 8531 80 40 10 For use in civil aircraft +4
- 8531 80 40 90 Other 2%+4
- 8531 80 70 00 Other Free+3
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 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 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 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 restricted goods and technologies
- Applies to goods from
- North Korea
- Legal act
- S.I. 2019/411
- Documents
- Y920 Goods other than those described in the footnotes linked to the measure
Preferential rates by country
| Agreement or scheme | Countries | Rate |
|---|---|---|
| standard rate (no agreement) | — | Free – 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–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–XC agreement | XC | Free |
| UK–Kosovo agreement | Kosovo | Free |
| UK–XL agreement | XL | Free |
| UK–South Africa agreement | South Africa | Free |
UK: imports by month
Main suppliers, last 12 months
| Country | Value | Share | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
 China | £62.7m | 33.4% | +22.8% |
 United States | £41.6m | 22.2% | -1.1% |
 Vietnam | £33.3m | 17.7% | -16.3% |
| United Kingdom | £8.4m | 4.5% | +15.9% |
 Germany | £5.5m | 2.9% | -53.8% |
 France | £4.1m | 2.2% | -43.1% |
 Canada | £3.8m | 2% | +2.4% |
 Romania | £3.7m | 2% | +6.9% |
Same subheading in other tariffs
EU Free – 2.2% Third-country duty 2 tariff lines · average 1.1% 
Türkiye 50% Statutory rate (Law 474) 3 tariff lines USA Free – 1.3% General (MFN) 2 tariff lines · average 0.7% The Turkish schedule prints the statutory rate set under Customs Law 474. The rate applied at import is laid down in the Import Regime Decision and can be lower, or different by country of origin.
World trade in 2024
Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$51.7kUS$51.7k+US$5.8m+US$39.5m+> US$264.3m
Exports: 173
- China: US$2bn
- Vietnam: US$657.1m
- United States: US$458.9m
- France: US$347m
- Germany: US$324.9m
- Mexico: US$264.3m
- Netherlands: US$133.9m
- Thailand: US$111.2m
- United Kingdom: US$103.5m
- Sweden: US$81.2m
- Japan: US$74.1m
- Italy: US$52.6m
- Taiwan: US$51.7m
- Indonesia: US$50.1m
- Canada: US$45m
- Romania: US$40.9m
- South Korea: US$39.5m
- Singapore: US$38.1m
- Czechia: US$37.4m
- Austria: US$34m
- Spain: US$30.8m
- Israel: US$30.7m
- Philippines: US$29.2m
- Malaysia: US$27.8m
- Hungary: US$27.5m
- Hong Kong SAR China: US$25.8m
- India: US$22.4m
- Belgium: US$21.2m
- Slovakia: US$17.8m
- Denmark: US$17.6m
- Poland: US$17.2m
- Australia: US$16.1m
- Norway: US$15.5m
- Switzerland: US$15.3m
- Türkiye: US$11.6m
- Slovenia: US$10.6m
- South Africa: US$9.6m
- Latvia: US$8.2m
- Tunisia: US$7.3m
- New Zealand: US$7.2m
- Portugal: US$6.1m
- Finland: US$5.8m
- Dominican Republic: US$5.8m
- United Arab Emirates: US$4.6m
- Russia: US$4.5m
- Croatia: US$3.8m
- Ireland: US$3.4m
- Bulgaria: US$3m
- Saudi Arabia: US$2.7m
- Lithuania: US$2.2m
- Greece: US$2.2m
- Ukraine: US$2.1m
- Brazil: US$2m
- Chile: US$1m
- Cambodia: US$1m
- Luxembourg: US$922.9k
- Serbia: US$905.6k
- Kazakhstan: US$892.9k
- Malta: US$765.4k
- Peru: US$708.1k
Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$915.3kUS$915.3k+US$7.2m+US$58.3m+> US$128.2m
Imports: 212
- United States: US$1.2bn
- France: US$674.8m
- Netherlands: US$496.2m
- Germany: US$434.7m
- United Kingdom: US$170.4m
- Sweden: US$155.3m
- Thailand: US$128.2m
- Canada: US$127.8m
- Australia: US$127m
- Italy: US$123.1m
- Japan: US$108.4m
- Mexico: US$105.3m
- South Korea: US$95.4m
- Hong Kong SAR China: US$87.9m
- Poland: US$86.2m
- Austria: US$78.2m
- Czechia: US$76.5m
- China: US$76.5m
- Spain: US$72.3m
- Switzerland: US$69.3m
- Singapore: US$61.9m
- India: US$58.3m
- Russia: US$45.2m
- Belgium: US$44.2m
- Saudi Arabia: US$40.5m
- Slovakia: US$34.4m
- United Arab Emirates: US$33.2m
- Denmark: US$32.8m
- Norway: US$32.5m
- Finland: US$32.1m
- Türkiye: US$31.3m
- Indonesia: US$30.7m
- Vietnam: US$30.3m
- Brazil: US$24.5m
- Romania: US$24.2m
- Malaysia: US$21.6m
- Taiwan: US$18.9m
- New Zealand: US$18.1m
- Hungary: US$17.2m
- South Africa: US$14.5m
- Portugal: US$13.8m
- Israel: US$13.2m
- Chile: US$12.8m
- Argentina: US$12.7m
- Morocco: US$12.7m
- Ireland: US$12.6m
- Greece: US$11.3m
- Slovenia: US$9m
- Belarus: US$8.1m
- Egypt: US$7.4m
- Peru: US$7.4m
- Kuwait: US$7.2m
- Qatar: US$7.2m
- Philippines: US$6.8m
- Croatia: US$6.5m
- Latvia: US$6.3m
- Kazakhstan: US$5.8m
- Cambodia: US$5.6m
- Bulgaria: US$5.2m
- Nigeria: US$5m
Top exporters
| Rank | Country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | US$2bn | 37.4% |
| 2 | Vietnam | US$657.1m | 12.2% |
| 3 | United States | US$458.9m | 8.5% |
| 4 | France | US$347m | 6.4% |
| 5 | Germany | US$324.9m | 6% |
| 6 |  Mexico | US$264.3m | 4.9% |
| 7 |  Netherlands | US$133.9m | 2.5% |
| 8 |  Thailand | US$111.2m | 2.1% |
| 9 | United Kingdom | US$103.5m | 1.9% |
| 10 |  Sweden | US$81.2m | 1.5% |
Top importers
| Rank | Country | Value | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | US$1.2bn | 21.4% |
| 2 | France | US$674.8m | 12.5% |
| 3 | Netherlands | US$496.2m | 9.2% |
| 4 | Germany | US$434.7m | 8.1% |
| 5 | United Kingdom | US$170.4m | 3.2% |
| 6 | Sweden | US$155.3m | 2.9% |
| 7 | Thailand | US$128.2m | 2.4% |
| 8 | Canada | US$127.8m | 2.4% |
| 9 |  Australia | US$127m | 2.4% |
| 10 |  Italy | US$123.1m | 2.3% |
In the UK Global Tariff, subheading 8531.80 covers 3 tariff lines and the duty is between 0% and 2%. 1 of them is duty-free.
The EU Combined Nomenclature divides subheading 8531.80 into 2 tariff lines; the duty is between 0% and 2.2% (average 1.1%). 1 of them is duty-free.
Goods from 175 countries can enter the UK at a preferential rate instead of the standard Free – 2%; 175 of them pay no duty at all, for example under DCTS Comprehensive or European Union.
In the UK, additional duty of 35% applies on top of the customs duty to goods from Belarus and Russia.
In the 12 months to August 2026, the UK imported other sound or visual signalling apparatus worth £187.5m (up 1% on the year before), at an average of £75.07 per kg; China supplied 33%, followed by United States.
World trade in other sound or visual signalling apparatus reached US$5.4bn in 2024, down 6.3% on 2023.
China was the largest exporter with 37.4% of the total, ahead of Vietnam.
Products classified here
Questions and answers
What is the HS code for electric sound or visual signalling apparatus: other apparatus?
Electric sound or visual signalling apparatus: other apparatus fall under HS subheading 8531.80, part of heading 8531, in section XVI of the Harmonized System.
What is the import duty on electric sound or visual signalling apparatus in the UK?
Under the UK Global Tariff, imports under 8531.80 from countries without a preferential agreement are charged at 0% to 2%, depending on the line. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.
What is the import duty on electric sound or visual signalling apparatus in the EU?
Under the EU Combined Nomenclature, imports under 8531.80 from countries without a preferential agreement are charged at 0% to 2.2%, depending on the line. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.
Which country exports the most electric sound or visual signalling apparatus?
China, with US$2bn in 2024 (37.4% of world exports).
Which countries can export other sound or visual signalling apparatus to the UK duty-free?
175 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 Free – 2% applies. Pick a country above to see its rate.
Is there anti-dumping duty on other sound or visual signalling apparatus?
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 other sound or visual signalling apparatus from?
In the 12 months to August 2026, the largest suppliers were China (33%), United States (22%) and Vietnam (18%), out of total imports of £187.5m.