The Essential Course for Customs Clearance in the Game Console Import Boom

Recently, my foreign trade company has received numerous inquiries about importing gaming consoles. One client even had their shipment detained by customs due to incorrect classification of accessories, resulting in a loss of over 30,000 yuan in demurrage fees. As a seasoned professional with 20 years of experience in foreign trade, today I’d like to share some insights on the intricacies of importing gaming consoles.

The "ID card" of a gaming console.

I remember back in 2018 when the Nintendo Switch first became popular, an importer declared the gaming console as "computer equipment," only to be required by customs to pay the tax difference. Home gaming consoles actually have their own dedicated category in the tariff schedule:

• 32. Core characteristics: Must connect to TV/monitor and use dedicated controllers for operation
• Exclusion Scope: Gaming phones and e-sports PCs dont count
• Golden HS Code: 9504.5030 (13% tariff rate)

The "game rules" for accessory classification

Last week, while helping a client with customs clearance, we discovered that even though both are headphones, wireless headphones and gaming headset kits are classified under different chapters! Here are a few common "pitfalls" to watch out for:

Control Accessories

Although game joysticks resemble aircraft control sticks, dont classify them under aviation components:

• Game joystick → 9504.5080
• Steering wheel peripheral → Also classified under 9504.5080

Audio Equipment

Last year, a shipment was stuck at customs for two weeks due to headphone classification issues - a painful lesson learned:

• Standard wireless earphones → 8517.6294 (classified as communication equipment)
• Gaming headset with controller → 8518.3000 (classified as audio equipment)

Storage Media

Game cartridges and blank flash memory cards are like the difference between "prepared food" and "raw meat":

• Pre-recorded game cartridges → 9504.5080
• Blank flash cards → 8523.5110

Those "Special Players" Who Are Prone to Stumble

Last year, a company in Shenzhen imported AR glasses and declared them as "glasses," which was corrected by customs. Special attention should be paid to such trendy devices:

• AR glasses → 8543.7099 (standalone electrical equipment)
• Motion-sensing cameras → 8525.8012
• Charging docks → 8536.9090 (dont confuse with power adapters)

Practical Tips for Customs Clearance

We recommend doing three things before declaration:

1. Disassemble composite products: For example, protective cases with charging functions should be declared separately
2. Verify version differences: Domestic and overseas versions may apply different standards
3. Prepare technical documents: Product manuals and circuit diagrams can speed up customs clearance

The General Administration of Customs has recently updated the electronic version of the "Import and Export Tariff Schedule." We recommend that all importers bookmark this website (specific link omitted here). If you're unsure about the classification, feel free to email me for consultation anytime. After all, in the "game" of importing gaming consoles, choosing the right "equipment" is key to a smooth clearance!