HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8602.90 – Rail locomotives and locomotive tenders; other than diesel-electric powered
HS code 8602.90 is the 6-digit subheading for rail locomotives and locomotive tenders, other than diesel-electric powered. It is used for steam locomotives, gas turbine locomotives, hydraulic locomotives, locomotive tenders and fireless locomotives.
What HS 8602.90 covers
This HS code serves as a residual category for rail locomotives and locomotive tenders that are not diesel-electric powered. This includes a diverse range of propulsion types such as steam locomotives, gas turbine locomotives, hydraulic locomotives, and even specialized industrial locomotives. It also covers locomotive tenders, which are separate vehicles designed to carry fuel and water for steam locomotives. The trade in these items is often niche, involving heritage railways, specialized industrial applications, collectors, and manufacturers of unique or custom-built locomotives. Key aspects include historical preservation, specific operational requirements not met by conventional electric or diesel-electric types, and the specialized engineering involved in their construction and maintenance. This category represents a smaller, more specialized segment of the locomotive market.
- Covers
- Steam locomotives
- Gas turbine locomotives
- Hydraulic locomotives
- Locomotive tenders
- Fireless locomotives
- Specialized industrial locomotives
- Heritage railway locomotives
- Examples
- Union Pacific Big Boy (steam)
- British Rail APT-E (gas turbine)
- various industrial shunting locomotives
- tenders for preserved steam engines
Codes often confused with 8602.90
Common mistake. This code is for any locomotive or tender not covered by 8601 (electric) or 8602.10 (diesel-electric), so it's crucial to ensure the propulsion method is not diesel-electric or externally/battery electric.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 860290, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 860290 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 43% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 19% 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 Germany $63M 43% of world exports
- 2 India $20M 14% of world exports
- 3 Italy $14M 9.3% of world exports
World total: $147M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Spain $24M 19% of world imports
- 2 France $14M 12% of world imports
- 3 United States $9.9M 7.9% of world imports
World total: $126M 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 8602.90
Brazil does not split HS 8602.90: its NCM code is 8602.90.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 86.02 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8602.90
What is HS code 860290?
HS code 860290 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Rail locomotives and locomotive tenders; other than diesel-electric powered. This HS code serves as a residual category for rail locomotives and locomotive tenders that are not diesel-electric powered. This includes a diverse range of propulsion types such as steam locomotives, gas turbine locomotives, hydraulic locomotives, and even specialized industrial locomotives. It also covers locomotive tenders, which are separate vehicles designed to carry fuel and water for steam locomotives. The trade in these items is often niche, involving heritage railways, specialized industrial applications, collectors, and manufacturers of unique or custom-built locomotives. Key aspects include historical preservation, specific operational requirements not met by conventional electric or diesel-electric types, and the specialized engineering involved in their construction and maintenance. This category represents a smaller, more specialized segment of the locomotive market.
What products fall under HS code 860290?
Steam locomotives, gas turbine locomotives, hydraulic locomotives, locomotive tenders, fireless locomotives, specialized industrial locomotives, heritage railway locomotives
What are common misclassifications for HS code 860290?
This code is for any locomotive or tender not covered by 8601 (electric) or 8602.10 (diesel-electric), so it's crucial to ensure the propulsion method is not diesel-electric or externally/battery electric.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 860290?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 860290 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($63M, 43% of world exports), India ($20M) and Italy ($14M). World exports came to about $147M, 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 860290?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 860290 in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($24M, 19% of world imports), France ($14M) and the United States ($9.9M). World imports came to about $126M, 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 860290 structured?
HS code 860290 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (86) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 860290?
In Brazil, HS code 860290 is NCM 8602.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.