HS Code:
The 'With automatic record changing mechanism' category, typically classified under HS Code 8519.30 or related subcategories, pertains to turntables or record players equipped with mechanisms to automatically change records. These devices are part of the broader audio equipment market, often associated with vintage or niche audiophile markets. They combine mechanical and electronic components to facilitate uninterrupted playback of multiple vinyl records. Global trade in this category reflects a niche but steady demand driven by nostalgia, premium audio markets, and specialized consumer electronics sectors.
Total Trade Volume
USD 150 million
Data from 2022
Source
UN Comtrade Database and ITC Trade Map
Average Rate
5.2%
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries to protect local electronics industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-Japan EPA or USMCA)
Resurgence of Vinyl Records
Increased demand for automatic record changers as vinyl sales grow among millennials and audiophiles, driving trade volumes up by 8% annually since 2018.
2022
Shift to Premium Products
Consumers are favoring high-end models with advanced features, boosting average export values and margins for manufacturers in Germany and Japan.
2021
E-commerce Growth
Online retail platforms have expanded market access for niche audio equipment, increasing imports in regions without local production.
2020
The European Union reduced tariffs on audio equipment, including automatic record changers, under the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, facilitating increased imports from Japan.
January 2023
Expected to boost Japanese exports to the EU by 10% over the next two years.
Additional tariffs imposed by the US on Chinese electronics have affected the cost competitiveness of Chinese-made record changers, diverting some trade to other Asian exporters.
September 2022
Reduction in Chinese market share in the US by 5% in favor of other suppliers like Japan.
Australia introduced stricter safety and energy efficiency standards for imported audio equipment, requiring manufacturers to adapt products or face delays in market entry.
March 2023
Temporary slowdown in exports to Australia as manufacturers adjust to compliance requirements.