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85492100
ELECTRICAL MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT AND PARTS THEREOF; SOUND RECORDERS AND REPRODUCERS, TELEVISION IMAGE AND SOUND RECORDERS AND REPRODUCERS, AND PARTS AND ACCESSORIES OF SUCH ARTICLESElectrical and electronic waste and scrap

Containing primary cells, primary batteries, electric accumulators, mercury-switches, glass from cathode-ray tubes or other activated glass, or electrical or electronic components containing cadmium, mercury, lead or polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)

Standard EU duty
0%
VAT
23%
Additional duties / sanctions
0 rules
Docs required
19 docs
C669C670C672Y923X844Y719+13
Preferences
ERGA OMNES 0%AD 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%FJ 0%FO 0%GB 0%GE 0%GH 0%GSP 0%GSP+ 0%IL 0%JO 0%KE 0%KR 0%LB 0%LOMB 0%MA 0%MD 0%MX 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
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”.
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.
CloseMRN — potwierdzenie wywozu z każdego portu UE
5

Binding Tariff Information

BTI classification examples

ROgold5/005155

Waste of electrical and electronic assemblies

plasticGRI 1GRI 6
ROgold5/005153

Waste of electrical/electronic equipment with CFC

plasticGRI 1GRI 6
BEgold.019.963

Empty used laser toner cartridges for return

plasticGRI 1GRI 6
ROgold5/005157

Waste fluorescent tubes with mercury content

glassGRI 1GRI 6
ROgold4/004625

Waste primary batteries for recycling

zincGRI 1GRI 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 854921

Subheading 854921 covers waste and scrap of electrical and electronic equipment containing precious metals or precious metal compounds. Precious metals in electronic waste are primarily gold (Au), silver (Ag), platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd) present in connectors, contacts, printed circuit boards, integrated circuits and electronic components. Typical goods include PCB waste with gold-plated contacts, spent connectors with precious metal contacts, waste from precious metal recovery from electronics, and electronic scrap with high Au/Ag/Pt/Pd content. Subheading 854921 covers only electronic waste containing precious metals - other electronic waste with base metals is classified under 854929. Classification follows the GIR, rules 1 and 6.

Regulatory requirements - WEEE, Basel Convention and Waste Shipment

Transboundary movement of electronic waste with precious metals under 854921 is subject to the Waste Shipment Regulation (EU) 1013/2006 and the Basel Convention. Hazardous waste status depends on the content of hazardous substances (lead, cadmium, mercury). PCB waste containing lead solder is typically classified as hazardous waste. The WEEE 2 Directive (2012/19/EU) establishes a collection and recycling system. CBAM does not apply. Import requires a waste shipment permit and authorised recipient status.

Customs duties and trade

Current MFN duty rates should be verified in TARIC. Electronic waste with precious metals has high value due to gold, silver, platinum and palladium content. Import requires compliance with the Waste Shipment Regulation. The Basel Convention prohibits export of hazardous waste from OECD to non-OECD countries. The precious metal recycling market from electronics is growing in the circular economy context. Current TARIC codes should be checked before clearance. VAT is charged on import.

E-waste with precious metals - Au, Ag, Pt recovery

Importing e-waste with precious metals (CN 8549 21) 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

Is electronic waste with precious metals under 854921 hazardous?
Hazardous waste status depends on the chemical composition. PCB waste containing lead solder, PCB capacitors or batteries is typically classified as hazardous. Electronic waste without hazardous substances may not be classified as hazardous. The importer should analyse waste composition and verify classification with the competent authority.
Is electronic waste subject to CBAM?
No. CBAM covers only emissions-intensive products. Electronic waste under subheading 854921 is waste from Chapter 85 and is not subject to CBAM.
What precious metals are recovered from electronic waste?
From electronic waste under 854921, primarily gold (Au) from connectors and metallisation layers, silver (Ag) from solders and contacts, platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd) from multilayer capacitors and catalytic elements are recovered. Precious metal concentrations in electronic waste are many times higher than in natural ores, economically justifying the recycling process.
What regulations apply when importing e-waste with precious metals CN 8549 21?
Importing e-waste with precious metals (CN 8549 21) 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.