PIR Motion Sensor / Security Alarm — HS Code
Burglar or fire alarms and similar apparatus — residential motion-sensor alarms
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HS Code
8531 — Electric sound or visual signalling apparatus
Classification Context
Chapter
Chapter 85 — Electrical machinery and equipment
Heading
8531 — Electric sound or visual signalling apparatus
Applicable Rule
GRI 1 — motion-sensor alarm systems are burglar alarms under 8531.10
Prior Rulings
EU — EBTI (Binding Tariff Information)
Search EU EBTI databaseUS — CBP CROSS Ruling Database
Search US CBP CROSS rulingsUK — HMRC Trade Tariff
View UK Trade Tariff commodityClassification Notes
PIR (Passive Infrared) motion sensor alarms and intrusion detection devices are classified under 8531.10 as burglar alarms. Complete home alarm systems — control panel, sensors, siren — are classified by the control panel component under GRI 3(b) as the essential character element (8531.10). Individual PIR sensors sold separately as part of a smart home ecosystem (without siren) may be 8543.70 (other electrical machines/apparatus). Glass break detectors, door/window magnetic contact sensors, and vibration sensors are 8531.10 when designed as part of an alarm system. Smoke detectors are 8531.10 (fire alarms). The monthly monitoring subscription for an alarm system is a service and is not dutiable.
MFN Duty Rates by Market
European Union
8531.10.30
EU Combined Nomenclature (CN) rate — applies to all 27 EU member states
United States
8531.10.30
US Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) MFN rate — Section 301 tariffs may add to China-origin goods
United Kingdom
8531.10.30
UK Global Tariff (UKGT) — post-Brexit tariff schedule, independent of EU CN
Related searches
Official Sources & References
WCO HS Nomenclature
World Customs Organisation — the international standard behind all HS codes
wcoomd.org
EU TARIC Database
European Commission integrated tariff — EU Combined Nomenclature (CN) rates
ec.europa.eu
US HTS Schedule (USITC)
United States International Trade Commission — official US Harmonized Tariff Schedule
hts.usitc.gov
UK Global Tariff (HMRC)
His Majesty's Revenue and Customs — UK Trade Tariff post-Brexit
trade-tariff.service.gov.uk
Disclaimer: Duty rates shown are MFN (Most-Favoured-Nation) base rates sourced from live tariff database and verified April 2026. Actual duties may differ based on country of origin, applicable trade agreements (e.g. GSP, CETA, UK-EU TCA), anti-dumping measures, or changes to tariff schedules. Always verify with the official tariff database of the importing country before making customs declarations.
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