HS code · 2-digit chapter
HS Code 86 – Railway, tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds
What HS 86 covers
Chapter 86 of the Harmonized System (HS) comprehensively covers "Railway, tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds." This chapter serves as the definitive classification for all forms of rail-bound transport equipment and the essential infrastructure components that enable their operation. Its scope extends from the massive locomotives that power trains to the intricate signaling systems guiding their movement, and even the fundamental track elements upon which they run. Key sub-categories include various types of locomotives (electric, diesel-electric), passenger coaches, freight wagons, specialized maintenance vehicles, and all their identifiable parts. Beyond rolling stock, it encompasses rails, sleepers (ties), points and crossings (switches), rail fasteners, and a wide array of mechanical and electro-mechanical signaling and safety equipment designed specifically for railway or tramway use. Accurate classification under Chapter 86 is paramount for trade compliance, impacting applicable duties, taxes, safety regulations, and trade statistics. Given the high value and often strategic nature of railway infrastructure projects, misclassification can lead to significant customs delays, penalties, and compliance risks. Historically, railways have been a backbone of industrialization and global trade, and the goods within this chapter continue to represent critical investments in national and international transportation networks, often involving complex procurement processes and long-term contracts. Major headings within this chapter include locomotives (86.01, 86.02), self-propelled and non-self-propelled rolling stock (86.03, 86.05, 86.06), parts of rolling stock (86.07), and track fixtures and signaling equipment (86.08).
- Covers
- Diesel-electric locomotives
- Electric multiple units (EMUs)
- Light rail vehicles (LRVs)
- Tram cars
- Subway coaches
- Passenger coaches
- Open-top freight wagons
- Tank wagons
- Flatbed wagons
- Railway bogies
- Locomotive axles
- Railway wheel sets
- Train brake systems
- Buffers for rolling stock
- Rail fasteners
- Concrete railway sleepers
- Steel rails
- Points and crossings (switches)
- Level crossing barriers
- Railway signal lights
- Track circuits
- Automatic train control (ATC) systems
- Overhead line equipment (OLE) components
- Rail car doors
- Pantographs for electric trains
- Examples
A major infrastructure project in India imports new high-speed train sets, including multiple electric locomotives and passenger coaches, from a Japanese manufacturer like Hitachi. These goods would be classified under headings like 86.03 and 86.05, traveling via sea routes across the Indian Ocean. A mining company in Australia procures specialized heavy-duty freight wagons for transporting iron ore from its inland mines to coastal ports. These wagons, manufactured by a Chinese company such as CRRC, are shipped across the Asia-Pacific region and classified under 86.06. For the expansion of a metropolitan subway system in Brazil, the local government imports advanced electro-mechanical signaling equipment, including signal lights, track circuits, and control systems, from a European supplier like Alstom in France. This equipment is crucial for safety and efficiency, falling under 86.08 and typically shipped across the Atlantic. A railway maintenance company in Canada imports replacement bogies and wheel sets for its fleet of locomotives and freight cars from a US supplier. These parts are essential for ongoing operations and safety, classified under 86.07 and transported via road or rail across the US-Canada border.
Headings in chapter 86 9
Codes often confused with 86
Common mistake. Traders often misclassify items under Chapter 86 by confusing them with general industrial machinery or electrical components. For instance, electro-mechanical traffic signaling equipment specifically designed for railways should remain in 86.08, not be classified under Chapter 85 (Electrical machinery and equipment) for general electrical apparatus. Similarly, railway track components like steel rails are specifically covered in 86.08, even though they are made of iron or steel, and should not be classified under Chapter 73 (Articles of iron or steel) for general steel products. Another common error is to classify specialized railway maintenance vehicles (e.g., track-laying machines) under Chapter 84 (Machinery and mechanical appliances) if they have working parts, rather than the specific provision for railway maintenance vehicles in 86.04. The key is to recognize the explicit 'railway or tramway' designation within Chapter 86.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 86, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 86 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 34% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, 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 $17.9B 34% of world exports
- 2 Germany $5.2B 10.0% of world exports
- 3 Mexico $4.3B 8.2% of world exports
World total: $51.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $4.2B 11% of world imports
- 2 Austria $2.2B 5.9% of world imports
- 3 United States $1.8B 4.9% of world imports
World total: $37.3B 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.
Questions about HS 86
What is HS code 86?
HS code 86 is a 2-digit chapter in the Harmonized System that covers: Railway, tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds. Chapter 86 of the Harmonized System (HS) comprehensively covers "Railway, tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds." This chapter serves as the definitive classification for all forms of rail-bound transport equipment and the essential infrastructure components that enable their operation. Its scope extends from the massive locomotives that power trains to the intricate signaling systems guiding their movement, and even the fundamental track elements upon which they run. Key sub-categories include various types of locomotives (electric, diesel-electric), passenger coaches, freight wagons, specialized maintenance vehicles, and all their identifiable parts. Beyond rolling stock, it encompasses rails, sleepers (ties), points and crossings (switches), rail fasteners, and a wide array of mechanical and electro-mechanical signaling and safety equipment designed specifically for railway or tramway use. Accurate classification under Chapter 86 is paramount for trade compliance, impacting applicable duties, taxes, safety regulations, and trade statistics. Given the high value and often strategic nature of railway infrastructure projects, misclassification can lead to significant customs delays, penalties, and compliance risks. Historically, railways have been a backbone of industrialization and global trade, and the goods within this chapter continue to represent critical investments in national and international transportation networks, often involving complex procurement processes and long-term contracts. Major headings within this chapter include locomotives (86.01, 86.02), self-propelled and non-self-propelled rolling stock (86.03, 86.05, 86.06), parts of rolling stock (86.07), and track fixtures and signaling equipment (86.08).
What products fall under HS code 86?
Diesel-electric locomotives, electric multiple units (EMUs), light rail vehicles (LRVs), tram cars, subway coaches, passenger coaches, open-top freight wagons, tank wagons, flatbed wagons, railway bogies, locomotive axles, railway wheel sets, train brake systems, buffers for rolling stock, rail fasteners, concrete railway sleepers, steel rails, points and crossings (switches), level crossing barriers, railway signal lights, track circuits, automatic train control (ATC) systems, overhead line equipment (OLE) components, rail car doors, pantographs for electric trains
What are common misclassifications for HS code 86?
Traders often misclassify items under Chapter 86 by confusing them with general industrial machinery or electrical components. For instance, electro-mechanical traffic signaling equipment specifically designed for railways should remain in 86.08, not be classified under Chapter 85 (Electrical machinery and equipment) for general electrical apparatus. Similarly, railway track components like steel rails are specifically covered in 86.08, even though they are made of iron or steel, and should not be classified under Chapter 73 (Articles of iron or steel) for general steel products. Another common error is to classify specialized railway maintenance vehicles (e.g., track-laying machines) under Chapter 84 (Machinery and mechanical appliances) if they have working parts, rather than the specific provision for railway maintenance vehicles in 86.04. The key is to recognize the explicit 'railway or tramway' designation within Chapter 86.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 86?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 86 in UN Comtrade data were China ($17.9B, 34% of world exports), Germany ($5.2B) and Mexico ($4.3B). World exports came to about $51.9B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 86?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 86 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($4.2B, 11% of world imports), Austria ($2.2B) and the United States ($1.8B). World imports came to about $37.3B, 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 86 structured?
HS code 86 is a 2-digit chapter code in the Harmonized System maintained by the World Customs Organization. It represents a broad category of goods and contains multiple 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings for more specific classifications.