HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 8428.60 – Teleferics, chair-lifts, ski-draglines, traction mechanisms for funiculars

HS code 8428.60 is the 6-digit subheading for teleferics, chair-lifts, ski-draglines, traction mechanisms for funiculars. It is used for gondola lifts, chairlifts, ski draglines, funicular railways and aerial trams.

What HS 8428.60 covers

This specialized HS code encompasses teleferics, chair-lifts, ski-draglines, and traction mechanisms for funiculars, all designed for passenger transport in challenging or recreational environments. International trade involves highly engineered systems, often custom-built to meet specific geographical, environmental, and safety requirements. Importers are typically ski resorts, amusement parks, urban development projects in mountainous regions, and tourism operators investing in infrastructure. Exporters are a limited number of highly specialized engineering and manufacturing companies, predominantly from countries with strong alpine tourism industries and advanced ropeway technology. Key trade factors include rigorous safety certifications, passenger capacity, weather resistance, energy consumption, and the complexity of installation and ongoing maintenance. These systems represent significant capital investments and frequently involve long-term service agreements.

Covers
  • Gondola lifts
  • Chairlifts
  • Ski draglines
  • Funicular railways
  • Aerial trams
  • Cable cars
  • Detachable chairlifts
  • Fixed-grip chairlifts
Examples
  • Doppelmayr/Garaventa Group gondolas
  • Poma chairlifts
  • Leitner Ropeways funiculars
  • Bartholet Ropeways aerial trams

Codes often confused with 8428.60

Common mistake. Could be confused with general lifting machinery (8428.90) if the specific 'people-moving' and 'traction mechanism' aspects are overlooked, or even railway track fixtures (8608) for funiculars.

8428.90Lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery; n.e.c. in heading no. 8425, 8426, 8427 or 842886.08Railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) signalling, safety or traffic control equipment for railways, tramways, roads, inland waterways, parking facilities, port installations or airfields; parts thereof

Top exporters and importers of HS code 842860, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 842860 in UN Comtrade data was Austria, with 54% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Switzerland, with 12% 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. 1 Austria $361M
  2. 2 Italy $144M
  3. 3 France $72M

World total: $675M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Switzerland $51M
  2. 2 United States $31M
  3. 3 Azerbaijan $30M

World total: $433M 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 8428.60

Brazil does not split HS 8428.60: its NCM code is 8428.60.00.

  1. 8428.60.00 Cable cars, chair-lifts and funicular mechanismsTeleféricos (incluindo as telecadeiras e os telesquis); mecanismos de tração para funiculares

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.28 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 8428.60

What is HS code 842860?

HS code 842860 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Teleferics, chair-lifts, ski-draglines, traction mechanisms for funiculars. This specialized HS code encompasses teleferics, chair-lifts, ski-draglines, and traction mechanisms for funiculars, all designed for passenger transport in challenging or recreational environments. International trade involves highly engineered systems, often custom-built to meet specific geographical, environmental, and safety requirements. Importers are typically ski resorts, amusement parks, urban development projects in mountainous regions, and tourism operators investing in infrastructure. Exporters are a limited number of highly specialized engineering and manufacturing companies, predominantly from countries with strong alpine tourism industries and advanced ropeway technology. Key trade factors include rigorous safety certifications, passenger capacity, weather resistance, energy consumption, and the complexity of installation and ongoing maintenance. These systems represent significant capital investments and frequently involve long-term service agreements.

What products fall under HS code 842860?

Gondola lifts, chairlifts, ski draglines, funicular railways, aerial trams, cable cars, detachable chairlifts, fixed-grip chairlifts

What are common misclassifications for HS code 842860?

Could be confused with general lifting machinery (8428.90) if the specific 'people-moving' and 'traction mechanism' aspects are overlooked, or even railway track fixtures (8608) for funiculars.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 842860?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 842860 in UN Comtrade data were Austria ($361M, 54% of world exports), Italy ($144M) and France ($72M). World exports came to about $675M, 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 842860?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 842860 in UN Comtrade data were Switzerland ($51M, 12% of world imports), the United States ($31M) and Azerbaijan ($30M). World imports came to about $433M, 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 842860 structured?

HS code 842860 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (28) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (60) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 842860?

In Brazil, HS code 842860 is NCM 8428.60.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.