HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8479.71 – Machinery and mechanical appliances; passenger boarding bridges, of a kind used in airports
HS code 8479.71 is the 6-digit subheading for machinery and mechanical appliances, passenger boarding bridges, of a kind used in airports. It is used for telescopic passenger boarding bridges, glass-walled jet bridges, apron drive PBBs, commuter aircraft PBBs and fixed tunnel PBBs.
What HS 8479.71 covers
This specific HS code is dedicated to passenger boarding bridges (PBBs), also known as jet bridges or aerobridges, that are exclusively designed and used in airports. These sophisticated mechanical structures provide a movable, enclosed walkway connecting an airport terminal gate to an aircraft, allowing passengers to board and disembark safely and efficiently. PBBs are crucial infrastructure components for modern airports, enhancing passenger experience, safety, and operational efficiency. Major importers are countries investing heavily in airport expansion and modernization, such as China, India, various Middle Eastern nations, and developing countries in Africa and Asia. Exporters are specialized engineering companies, primarily from Europe (Germany, France, Spain) and the USA, known for their complex electromechanical systems. Trade in PBBs is characterized by long procurement cycles, custom engineering for specific airport layouts, and compliance with stringent aviation safety standards.
- Covers
- Telescopic passenger boarding bridges
- Glass-walled jet bridges
- Apron drive PBBs
- Commuter aircraft PBBs
- Fixed tunnel PBBs
- Mobile passenger stairs (integrated systems)
- Pre-conditioned air units for PBBs
- Ground power units for PBBs
- Examples
- ThyssenKrupp Airport Systems PBBs
- JBT AeroTech Jetway
- CIMC-Tianda PBBs
- ADELTE Seaport & Airport Solutions
- FMT Airport Systems
Codes often confused with 8479.71
Common mistake. This code is very specific. It could potentially be confused with other airport ground support equipment (847990 for parts, or other general machinery), but 847971 is explicitly for the complete airport-specific passenger boarding bridge. The distinction from 847979 is crucial, as 847979 covers *other* types of passenger boarding bridges, not for airports.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 847971, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 847971 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 40% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 11% 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 China $52M 40% of world exports
- 2 Spain $24M 18% of world exports
- 3 United States $14M 11% of world exports
World total: $131M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $19M 11% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $14M 7.6% of world imports
- 3 Nigeria $12M 6.8% of world imports
World total: $177M 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 8479.71
Brazil does not split HS 8479.71: its NCM code is 8479.71.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.79 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8479.71
What is HS code 847971?
HS code 847971 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Machinery and mechanical appliances; passenger boarding bridges, of a kind used in airports. This specific HS code is dedicated to passenger boarding bridges (PBBs), also known as jet bridges or aerobridges, that are exclusively designed and used in airports. These sophisticated mechanical structures provide a movable, enclosed walkway connecting an airport terminal gate to an aircraft, allowing passengers to board and disembark safely and efficiently. PBBs are crucial infrastructure components for modern airports, enhancing passenger experience, safety, and operational efficiency. Major importers are countries investing heavily in airport expansion and modernization, such as China, India, various Middle Eastern nations, and developing countries in Africa and Asia. Exporters are specialized engineering companies, primarily from Europe (Germany, France, Spain) and the USA, known for their complex electromechanical systems. Trade in PBBs is characterized by long procurement cycles, custom engineering for specific airport layouts, and compliance with stringent aviation safety standards.
What products fall under HS code 847971?
Telescopic passenger boarding bridges, Glass-walled jet bridges, Apron drive PBBs, Commuter aircraft PBBs, Fixed tunnel PBBs, Mobile passenger stairs (integrated systems), Pre-conditioned air units for PBBs, Ground power units for PBBs
What are common misclassifications for HS code 847971?
This code is very specific. It could potentially be confused with other airport ground support equipment (847990 for parts, or other general machinery), but 847971 is explicitly for the complete airport-specific passenger boarding bridge. The distinction from 847979 is crucial, as 847979 covers *other* types of passenger boarding bridges, not for airports.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 847971?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 847971 in UN Comtrade data were China ($52M, 40% of world exports), Spain ($24M) and the United States ($14M). World exports came to about $131M, 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 847971?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 847971 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($19M, 11% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($14M) and Nigeria ($12M). World imports came to about $177M, 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 847971 structured?
HS code 847971 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (79) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (71) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 847971?
In Brazil, HS code 847971 is NCM 8479.71.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.