HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8479.79 – Machinery and mechanical appliances; passenger boarding bridges, other than of a kind used in airports
HS code 8479.79 is the 6-digit subheading for machinery and mechanical appliances, passenger boarding bridges, other than of a kind used in airports. It is used for cruise ship gangways, ferry terminal boarding bridges, seaport passenger boarding systems, train station passenger bridges and retractable port gangways.
What HS 8479.79 covers
This HS code covers passenger boarding bridges that are *not* designed for use in airports. This typically refers to similar movable, enclosed walkways used in other transportation hubs, primarily seaports for cruise ships or ferries, and potentially large train stations or bus terminals. These bridges facilitate the safe and efficient boarding and disembarking of passengers from vessels or trains, providing a weather-protected and accessible connection. While functionally similar to airport PBBs, their design, scale, and operational requirements are adapted for maritime or rail environments, often needing to accommodate larger passenger volumes or different docking mechanisms. Major importers include countries with significant cruise tourism industries or busy ferry routes, such as the USA, Italy, Spain, and various island nations. Exporters are specialized manufacturers, often the same companies that produce airport PBBs but with adapted product lines, primarily from Europe and the USA. Trade considerations include load capacity, environmental resistance (especially for marine use), and integration with port or station infrastructure.
- Covers
- Cruise ship gangways
- Ferry terminal boarding bridges
- Seaport passenger boarding systems
- Train station passenger bridges
- Retractable port gangways
- Mobile passenger ramps for ships
- Pedestrian access bridges for terminals
- Ship-to-shore connectors
- Examples
- ADELTE Seaport & Airport Solutions (Seaport PBBs)
- ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (gangways)
- CIMC-Tianda (seaport bridges)
- PBB Systems (marine gangways)
- Safe Harbor Marine (custom gangways)
Codes often confused with 8479.79
Common mistake. The primary confusion for this code is with 847971, which is specifically for airport passenger boarding bridges. The distinction lies solely in the intended application: 847979 is for non-airport uses like seaports or train stations.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 847979, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 847979 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 22% 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 $44M 21% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $43M 21% of world exports
- 3 Italy $33M 16% of world exports
World total: $210M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $51M 22% of world imports
- 2 Malaysia $22M 9.5% of world imports
- 3 Norway $15M 6.5% of world imports
World total: $233M 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 8479.79
Brazil does not split HS 8479.79: its NCM code is 8479.79.00.
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 8479.79
What is HS code 847979?
HS code 847979 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Machinery and mechanical appliances; passenger boarding bridges, other than of a kind used in airports. This HS code covers passenger boarding bridges that are *not* designed for use in airports. This typically refers to similar movable, enclosed walkways used in other transportation hubs, primarily seaports for cruise ships or ferries, and potentially large train stations or bus terminals. These bridges facilitate the safe and efficient boarding and disembarking of passengers from vessels or trains, providing a weather-protected and accessible connection. While functionally similar to airport PBBs, their design, scale, and operational requirements are adapted for maritime or rail environments, often needing to accommodate larger passenger volumes or different docking mechanisms. Major importers include countries with significant cruise tourism industries or busy ferry routes, such as the USA, Italy, Spain, and various island nations. Exporters are specialized manufacturers, often the same companies that produce airport PBBs but with adapted product lines, primarily from Europe and the USA. Trade considerations include load capacity, environmental resistance (especially for marine use), and integration with port or station infrastructure.
What products fall under HS code 847979?
Cruise ship gangways, Ferry terminal boarding bridges, Seaport passenger boarding systems, Train station passenger bridges, Retractable port gangways, Mobile passenger ramps for ships, Pedestrian access bridges for terminals, Ship-to-shore connectors
What are common misclassifications for HS code 847979?
The primary confusion for this code is with 847971, which is specifically for airport passenger boarding bridges. The distinction lies solely in the intended application: 847979 is for non-airport uses like seaports or train stations.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 847979?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 847979 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($44M, 21% of world exports), the Netherlands ($43M) and Italy ($33M). World exports came to about $210M, 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 847979?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 847979 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($51M, 22% of world imports), Malaysia ($22M) and Norway ($15M). World imports came to about $233M, 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 847979 structured?
HS code 847979 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 (79) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 847979?
In Brazil, HS code 847979 is NCM 8479.79.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.