HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8406.81 – Turbines; steam and other vapour turbines, (for other than marine propulsion), of an output exceeding 40MW
HS code 8406.81 is the 6-digit subheading for turbines, steam and other vapour turbines, (for other than marine propulsion), of an output exceeding 40MW. It is used for utility steam turbines, nuclear power plant turbines, combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) steam turbines, industrial steam turbines (large) and concentrated solar power (CSP) steam turbines.
What HS 8406.81 covers
This HS code covers large-scale steam and other vapor turbines with an output exceeding 40MW, specifically for non-marine propulsion applications. These are the workhorses of modern power generation, found in thermal, nuclear, and large-scale concentrated solar power plants. They are high-value, critical infrastructure components, traded globally between major energy equipment manufacturers and utility companies or independent power producers. The trade is characterized by long lead times, complex engineering, and significant project financing. Importers are typically countries expanding their power grids or replacing aging infrastructure, while exporters are global leaders in heavy industrial and power generation equipment.
- Covers
- Utility steam turbines
- Nuclear power plant turbines
- Combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) steam turbines
- Industrial steam turbines (large)
- Concentrated solar power (CSP) steam turbines
- Examples
- Siemens Energy SGT5-8000H steam turbine
- GE Power H-Class steam turbine
- Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems (MHPS) J-Series steam turbine
- Toshiba steam turbines
Codes often confused with 8406.81
Common mistake. Differentiated from smaller turbines (840682) by their output capacity (>40MW) and from gas turbines (8411) by the working fluid (steam/vapor vs. combustion gases).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 840681, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 840681 in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Türkiye, with 30% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Japan $68M 20% of world exports
- 2 Germany $66M 19% of world exports
- 3 China $59M 17% of world exports
World total: $342M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Türkiye $155M 30% of world imports
- 2 Indonesia $78M 15% of world imports
- 3 Belgium $31M 5.9% of world imports
World total: $517M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM code for 8406.81
Brazil does not split HS 8406.81: its NCM code is 8406.81.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.06 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8406.81
What is HS code 840681?
HS code 840681 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Turbines; steam and other vapour turbines, (for other than marine propulsion), of an output exceeding 40MW. This HS code covers large-scale steam and other vapor turbines with an output exceeding 40MW, specifically for non-marine propulsion applications. These are the workhorses of modern power generation, found in thermal, nuclear, and large-scale concentrated solar power plants. They are high-value, critical infrastructure components, traded globally between major energy equipment manufacturers and utility companies or independent power producers. The trade is characterized by long lead times, complex engineering, and significant project financing. Importers are typically countries expanding their power grids or replacing aging infrastructure, while exporters are global leaders in heavy industrial and power generation equipment.
What products fall under HS code 840681?
Utility steam turbines, nuclear power plant turbines, combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) steam turbines, industrial steam turbines (large), concentrated solar power (CSP) steam turbines
What are common misclassifications for HS code 840681?
Differentiated from smaller turbines (840682) by their output capacity (>40MW) and from gas turbines (8411) by the working fluid (steam/vapor vs. combustion gases).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 840681?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 840681 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($68M, 20% of world exports), Germany ($66M) and China ($59M). World exports came to about $342M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 840681?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 840681 in UN Comtrade data were Türkiye ($155M, 30% of world imports), Indonesia ($78M) and Belgium ($31M). World imports came to about $517M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 840681 structured?
HS code 840681 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (06) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (81) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 840681?
In Brazil, HS code 840681 is NCM 8406.81.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.