HS code for vinyl records
Vinyl records enter the US duty-free under their own line for phonograph records. CDs, cassettes and turntables each have a different heading, so mixed shipments need more than one code.
- Candidate codes
- 4
- US duty
- Free – 3.9%
- UK / EU duty
- 0% / 0% – 2%
- Decided by
- Type of medium
US: USITC HTS Revision 22 (2026) · UK and EU checked 2026-11-04 · Covers recorded music and other recordings on physical media. Turntables and record players are machines, not media.
Quick answer: HS codes for vinyl records
- 8523.80.10.00Phonograph recordsUS Free
- 8523.49Recorded optical media (several lines)US Free
- 8523.29Magnetic tapes and other magnetic media (several lines)US Free
- 8519.30Turntables (record-decks)US Free – 3.9%
Not sure which one fits? The questions below narrow it down to one code.
How to tell
Records, CDs and tapes are classified as recorded media whatever is recorded on them, music, speech or both.
UK 0% · EU 0%
UK 0% · EU 0%
UK 0% · EU 0%
UK 0% · EU 2%
All 4 candidate codes for vinyl records
| Code | What it covers | US | UK | EU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8523.80.10.00 | Phonograph records | Free | 0% | 0% |
| 8523.49 | Recorded optical media (several lines) | Free | 0% | 0% |
| 8523.29 | Magnetic tapes and other magnetic media (several lines) | Free | 0% | 0% |
| 8519.30 | Turntables (record-decks) | Free – 3.9% | 0% | 2% |
General (MFN) duty rates. Lower rates may apply under trade agreements; extra duties may apply depending on the country of origin. UK and EU columns show the rate for the six-digit subheading.
Examples: vinyl records and their codes
| Product | Code | US | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12-inch LP vinyl record | 8523.80.10.00 | Free | Phonograph records. |
| Picture disc vinyl single | 8523.80.10.00 | Free | Still a phonograph record, whatever the artwork. |
| Music CD | 8523.49 | Free | Recorded optical media. |
| Audio cassette tape | 8523.29 | Free | Magnetic tape media. |
| Belt-drive turntable | 8519.30 | Free – 3.9% | Turntables (record-decks) are machines, not media. |
Mistakes to avoid
- Record sleeves and jackets imported empty are paperboard packing, heading 4819; imported with the record they are part of it.
- Box sets with a book or poster are usually classified by the records when the music gives the set its character.
- Used records use the same line as new ones; there is no separate code for second-hand records.
Questions about vinyl records codes
What is the HS code for vinyl records?
Vinyl records are phonograph records under 8523.80. In the US the line is 8523.80.10.00, duty-free at the general rate.
Are used records classified differently?
No. Second-hand records use the same line as new ones.
Is a record player classified with records?
No. Turntables are machines under 8519.30; records are recorded media under 8523.
Related guides
How this page is checked
- Every code above exists in the current US tariff schedule (Revision 22 (2026)). The build stops if a code disappears.
- Duty rates are read from the official data, not typed by hand: USITC for the US, the UK Trade Tariff for the UK and the EU.
- Ruling quotes are checked word for word against the ruling text, and rulings that are revoked or modified are removed.