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85381000
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT AND PARTS THEREOF; SOUND RECORDERS AND REPRODUCERS, TELEVISION IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS AND REPRODUCERS, AND PARTS AND ACCESSORIES OF SUCH ARTICLESParts suitable for use solely or principally with the apparatus of heading 8535, 8536 or 8537

Boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets and other bases for the goods of heading 8537, not equipped with their apparatus

Standard EU duty
0%
VAT
23%
Additional duties / sanctions
0 rules
Docs required
28 docs
X858Y811L152Y727Y728Y870+22
Preferences
ERGA OMNES 0%ERGA OMNES 0%AD 0%CA 0%CAMER 0%CARI 0%CH 0%CI 0%CL 0%CM 0%CO 0%DZ 0%EBA 0%EC 0%EEA 0%EG 0%EH 0%ESA 0%EUCA 0%FJ 0%FO 0%GB 0%GE 0%GH 0%GSP+ 0%IL 0%JO 0%JP 0%KE 0%KR 0%LB 0%LOMB 0%MA 0%MD 0%MX 0%NZ 0%PG 0%PS 0%SADC EPA 0%SB 0%SG 0%SM 0%SWITZ 0%SY 0%TN 0%TR 0%VN 0%WS 0%XC 0%XL 0%ZA 0%
Notes
CD333The autonomous Common Customs Tariff duties laid down in Regulation (EEC) No 2658/87 for parts, components and other goods of a kind to be incorporated in or used for aircraft and parts thereof in the course of their manufacture, repair, maintenance, rebuilding, modification or conversion is suspended.In order to benefit from the suspension, the declarant shall present to the customs authorities an Authorised Release Certificate — EASA Form 1, as set out in Appendix I to Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012, or an equivalent certificate.The certificates which are deemed to be equivalent to Authorised Release Certificates are listed in Annex II to the Regulation (EU) 2018/1517.
CD303The relief from or reduction of customs duties shall be subject to the specific request expressed by the declarant in box 44 "Additional information/Documents produced/Certificates and authorisations", of the Single Administrative Document (SAD)
TM904Preferences granted under the agreement between the European Union and Morocco in force from 19 July 2019.As of 3 October 2025, products originating in Western Sahara subject to controls by the customs authorities of the Kingdom of Morocco shall benefit from trade preferences under the terms of the new Agreement in the form of exchange of letters between the EU and Morocco, The European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to allow those products to be identified by reference to the region of origin to be included in the proof of origin and as provided for in Protocol 4.In view of the application of these measures, the origin certificates codes U179 and U180 must be declared.The country code to be entered in the origin declaration when these proofs of origin are used is “EH”.
CD727Eligibility to benefit from this preference is subject to the presentation of an origin declaration stating the European Union origin of the goods, in the context of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
CD906The list of non-eligible locations and their postal codes is available at the following address: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/technical-arrangement_postal-codes.pdf
CD500Eligibility to benefit from this preference is subject to the presentation of a proof of origin stating the community origin of the goods, in the context of the agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation.
5

Binding Tariff Information

BTI classification examples

DEgold815/24-1

Unassembled plastic distribution box

plasticGRI 1GRI 2aGRI 6
FRgold24-06023

Plastic housing for automotive ceiling light

plasticGRI 1GRI 5bGRI 6
DEgold405/25-1

Aluminium housing for EV charging station

aluminiumGRI 1GRI 6
ITgold025-0568

Aluminum frame for battery charger production

aluminiumGRI 1GRI 3cGRI 6
ATgold0812-DEC

Stand/base for Door.Gate device

compositeGRI 1GRI 3cGRI 6

BTI (Binding Tariff Information) is an official EU customs decision confirming the classification of goods. Valid for 3 years, binding across all EU member states.

Definition and scope of subheading 8538 10

Subheading 8538 10 covers boards, panels, consoles and mounting plates (not yet fitted with apparatus) intended for apparatus of heading 8537. These are structural components of switchboards and control cabinets — metal or plastic enclosures, mounting plates, cabinet doors, frames and support profiles on which switching apparatus is mounted. The key criterion: these elements do not yet contain mounted apparatus from headings 8535/8536. Once apparatus is mounted, the assembly is classified under 8537. Subheading 8538 10 covers only empty structures identifiable as switchboard parts.

Regulatory requirements for parts under subheading 8538 10

Boards and panels under 8538 10, as mechanical components, may not directly require CE marking, but the completed assembly after mounting apparatus is subject to LVD or other applicable regulations. RoHS 2 applies if parts are intended for equipment within its scope. CBAM does not apply. Import requires EORI and customs declaration.

Duty rates for subheading 8538 10

MFN rates should be verified in TARIC. Parts for switchboards are infrastructure components. Preferential rates under FTAs. Imports from Russia and Belarus may be restricted. VAT is charged.

Parts for switchboards of heading 8537 — classification

Importing parts for switchboards 8537 (CN 8538 10) into the European Union requires compliance with RoHS 2 (2011/65/EU), WEEE 2 (2012/19/EU) and CE marking. An EORI number and correct customs declaration are mandatory. MFN duty rates should be verified in TARIC, as ITA preferences or EU FTA rates (e.g. CETA, EPA, EU-Korea) may apply. Import from Russia and Belarus is subject to EU sanctions. National import VAT applies at the destination Member State rate.

Frequently asked questions

What is classified under subheading 8538 10?
Empty boards, panels, consoles, cabinet enclosures and mounting plates intended for switchgear assemblies of heading 8537 — without mounted switching apparatus. Once apparatus from headings 8535/8536 is mounted, the assembly is classified under 8537. The key criterion is identifiability as a switchboard or control cabinet part.
Do switchgear cabinet enclosures require CE marking?
Empty enclosures as mechanical components typically do not require CE marking. However, the completed switchboard after mounting apparatus is subject to LVD and requires CE. IEC/EN 62208 specifies requirements for empty enclosures. The enclosure manufacturer should provide documentation confirming compliance.
Are parts under 8538 10 subject to CBAM?
No. CBAM covers only emissions-intensive goods. Parts under 8538 10 belong to Chapter 85 and fall outside CBAM scope.
What regulations apply when importing parts for switchboards 8537 CN 8538 10?
Importing parts for switchboards 8537 (CN 8538 10) requires RoHS 2 (2011/65/EU), WEEE 2 (2012/19/EU) compliance, CE marking and an EORI number. Check the duty rate in TARIC. Import VAT applies.