HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8702.40 – Vehicles; public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only electric motor for propulsion, new or used
HS code 8702.40 is the 6-digit subheading for vehicles, public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only electric motor for propulsion, new or used. It is used for electric city bus, electric intercity coach, electric school bus, electric airport shuttle and electric articulated bus.
What HS 8702.40 covers
This HS code encompasses fully electric public transport vehicles designed to carry ten or more people, including the driver. These vehicles are at the forefront of the global shift towards zero-emission transportation, playing a vital role in urban sustainability initiatives. Key importers are cities and municipalities worldwide committed to reducing air pollution and noise, often supported by government subsidies and environmental mandates. Major exporters are countries with strong electric vehicle manufacturing capabilities and advanced battery technology. Trade in these vehicles is heavily influenced by battery range, charging infrastructure availability, and total cost of ownership. The market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by technological advancements and increasing environmental awareness, making electric buses and coaches a high-demand commodity in international trade.
- Covers
- Electric city bus
- Electric intercity coach
- Electric school bus
- Electric airport shuttle
- Electric articulated bus
- Electric double-decker bus
- Electric mini-bus
- Examples
- BYD K9
- Proterra Catalyst
- VDL Citea Electric
- Yutong E12
- Solaris Urbino 12 Electric
Codes often confused with 8702.40
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 870230 (hybrid diesel-electric public transport vehicles) because it specifies *only* an electric motor for propulsion, lacking any internal combustion engine.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 870240, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 870240 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 44% 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 $3.3B 44% of world exports
- 2 Poland $1.3B 18% of world exports
- 3 Germany $402M 5.4% of world exports
World total: $7.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $726M 11% of world imports
- 2 Germany $590M 9.2% of world imports
- 3 Chile $413M 6.4% of world imports
World total: $6.4B 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 codes for 8702.40 2
Brazil splits HS 8702.40 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 87.02 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8702.40
What is HS code 870240?
HS code 870240 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Vehicles; public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only electric motor for propulsion, new or used. This HS code encompasses fully electric public transport vehicles designed to carry ten or more people, including the driver. These vehicles are at the forefront of the global shift towards zero-emission transportation, playing a vital role in urban sustainability initiatives. Key importers are cities and municipalities worldwide committed to reducing air pollution and noise, often supported by government subsidies and environmental mandates. Major exporters are countries with strong electric vehicle manufacturing capabilities and advanced battery technology. Trade in these vehicles is heavily influenced by battery range, charging infrastructure availability, and total cost of ownership. The market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by technological advancements and increasing environmental awareness, making electric buses and coaches a high-demand commodity in international trade.
What products fall under HS code 870240?
Electric city bus, Electric intercity coach, Electric school bus, Electric airport shuttle, Electric articulated bus, Electric double-decker bus, Electric mini-bus
What are common misclassifications for HS code 870240?
This code is distinct from 870230 (hybrid diesel-electric public transport vehicles) because it specifies *only* an electric motor for propulsion, lacking any internal combustion engine.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 870240?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 870240 in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.3B, 44% of world exports), Poland ($1.3B) and Germany ($402M). World exports came to about $7.5B, 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 870240?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 870240 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($726M, 11% of world imports), Germany ($590M) and Chile ($413M). World imports came to about $6.4B, 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 870240 structured?
HS code 870240 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (87) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (40) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 870240?
Brazil splits HS code 870240 into 2 NCM codes: 8702.40.10 (Trolleybuses), 8702.40.90 (Electric buses, excluding trolleybuses). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.