HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8408.20 – Engines; compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines), of a kind used for the propulsion of vehicles of chapter 87
HS code 8408.20 is the 6-digit subheading for engines, compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines), of a kind used for the propulsion of vehicles of chapter 87. It is used for truck diesel engines, bus diesel engines, passenger car diesel engines, agricultural tractor engines and construction equipment diesel engines.
What HS 8408.20 covers
This category encompasses compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines, or diesel engines, specifically designed for the propulsion of vehicles classified under Chapter 87. This includes engines for passenger cars, buses, trucks, agricultural tractors, construction vehicles, and other specialized road and off-road vehicles. The international trade in these engines is enormous, forming a critical part of the global automotive and heavy equipment supply chains. Major exporters are countries with advanced automotive and industrial machinery manufacturing, such as Germany, Japan, the USA, and South Korea. Importers include vehicle assembly plants, heavy equipment manufacturers, and aftermarket distributors worldwide. Key trade considerations involve engine performance, fuel efficiency, stringent emissions standards (e.g., Euro VI, EPA Tier 4), durability, and integration with complex vehicle systems. The market is highly regulated and demands continuous innovation in clean diesel technology.
- Covers
- Truck diesel engines
- Bus diesel engines
- Passenger car diesel engines
- Agricultural tractor engines
- Construction equipment diesel engines
- Heavy-duty vehicle engines
- Light commercial vehicle diesel engines
- Examples
- Cummins X15
- Detroit Diesel DD15
- Mercedes-Benz OM471
- Ford Power Stroke 6.7L
- Volkswagen TDI 2.0L
Codes often confused with 8408.20
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 840810 (marine diesel engines) by its "vehicle propulsion" use, and from 84073x (vehicle spark-ignition engines) by its "compression-ignition" type.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 840820, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 840820 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 16% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Mexico, with 18% 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 United States $4.5B 16% of world exports
- 2 Germany $3.9B 14% of world exports
- 3 Sweden $2.2B 8.1% of world exports
World total: $27.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Mexico $5.3B 18% of world imports
- 2 United States $2.7B 9.2% of world imports
- 3 Germany $2.6B 9.1% of world imports
World total: $28.9B 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 codes for 8408.20 4
Brazil splits HS 8408.20 into 4 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8408.20.10 Diesel vehicle engines, 1,500 cm³ or lessDe cilindrada inferior ou igual a 1.500 cm³
- 8408.20.20 Diesel vehicle engines, over 1,500 to 2,500 cm³De cilindrada superior a 1.500 cm³, mas não superior a 2.500 cm³
- 8408.20.30 Diesel vehicle engines, over 2,500 to 3,500 cm³De cilindrada superior a 2.500 cm³, mas não superior a 3.500 cm³
- 8408.20.90 Diesel vehicle engines, over 3,500 cm³Outros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.08 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8408.20
What is HS code 840820?
HS code 840820 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Engines; compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel engines), of a kind used for the propulsion of vehicles of chapter 87. This category encompasses compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines, or diesel engines, specifically designed for the propulsion of vehicles classified under Chapter 87. This includes engines for passenger cars, buses, trucks, agricultural tractors, construction vehicles, and other specialized road and off-road vehicles. The international trade in these engines is enormous, forming a critical part of the global automotive and heavy equipment supply chains. Major exporters are countries with advanced automotive and industrial machinery manufacturing, such as Germany, Japan, the USA, and South Korea. Importers include vehicle assembly plants, heavy equipment manufacturers, and aftermarket distributors worldwide. Key trade considerations involve engine performance, fuel efficiency, stringent emissions standards (e.g., Euro VI, EPA Tier 4), durability, and integration with complex vehicle systems. The market is highly regulated and demands continuous innovation in clean diesel technology.
What products fall under HS code 840820?
Truck diesel engines, Bus diesel engines, Passenger car diesel engines, Agricultural tractor engines, Construction equipment diesel engines, Heavy-duty vehicle engines, Light commercial vehicle diesel engines
What are common misclassifications for HS code 840820?
This code is distinct from 840810 (marine diesel engines) by its "vehicle propulsion" use, and from 84073x (vehicle spark-ignition engines) by its "compression-ignition" type.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 840820?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 840820 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($4.5B, 16% of world exports), Germany ($3.9B) and Sweden ($2.2B). World exports came to about $27.6B, 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 840820?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 840820 in UN Comtrade data were Mexico ($5.3B, 18% of world imports), the United States ($2.7B) and Germany ($2.6B). World imports came to about $28.9B, 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 840820 structured?
HS code 840820 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (08) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 840820?
Brazil splits HS code 840820 into 4 NCM codes: 8408.20.10 (Diesel vehicle engines, 1,500 cm³ or less), 8408.20.20 (Diesel vehicle engines, over 1,500 to 2,500 cm³), 8408.20.30 (Diesel vehicle engines, over 2,500 to 3,500 cm³), 8408.20.90 (Diesel vehicle engines, over 3,500 cm³). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.