HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8705.20 – Vehicles; mobile drilling derricks
HS code 8705.20 is the 6-digit subheading for vehicles, mobile drilling derricks. It is used for truck-mounted drilling rigs, oilfield service rigs, water well drilling rigs, geotechnical drilling vehicles and core sampling rigs.
What HS 8705.20 covers
This category covers highly specialized vehicles equipped with drilling derricks, primarily used in the oil and gas exploration, mining, and geotechnical engineering sectors. These mobile units are designed for rapid deployment and efficient drilling operations, making them critical for prospecting, well servicing, and geological surveys. Major importers include countries with active oil and gas fields, mining operations, or significant geological research initiatives, often seeking advanced technology to enhance extraction efficiency or explore new reserves. Exporters are typically nations with strong heavy machinery manufacturing industries and expertise in energy sector equipment. Key considerations in trade involve drilling depth capacity, power source, mobility (on-road vs. off-road), and compliance with stringent safety and environmental standards specific to the extractive industries. The market is highly sensitive to global commodity prices and exploration budgets.
- Covers
- Truck-mounted drilling rigs
- Oilfield service rigs
- Water well drilling rigs
- Geotechnical drilling vehicles
- Core sampling rigs
- Exploration drilling trucks
- Blast hole drilling rigs
- Examples
- Atlas Copco SmartROC series
- Sandvik Ranger series
- Schramm T-series
- Foremost DR series
- Epiroc FlexiROC series
Codes often confused with 8705.20
Common mistake. This code might be confused with 8430 (other moving, grading, levelling, scraping, excavating, tamping, compacting, extracting or boring machinery) if the drilling function is not mounted on a vehicle chassis, or 870590 for other special purpose vehicles.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 870520, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 870520 in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 15% 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 Canada $31M 25% of world exports
- 2 United States $23M 19% of world exports
- 3 Germany $21M 17% of world exports
World total: $126M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $28M 15% of world imports
- 2 Côte d'Ivoire $19M 10% of world imports
- 3 Algeria* ~$17M 8.8% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $188M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 8705.20
Brazil does not split HS 8705.20: its NCM code is 8705.20.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 87.05 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8705.20
What is HS code 870520?
HS code 870520 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Vehicles; mobile drilling derricks. This category covers highly specialized vehicles equipped with drilling derricks, primarily used in the oil and gas exploration, mining, and geotechnical engineering sectors. These mobile units are designed for rapid deployment and efficient drilling operations, making them critical for prospecting, well servicing, and geological surveys. Major importers include countries with active oil and gas fields, mining operations, or significant geological research initiatives, often seeking advanced technology to enhance extraction efficiency or explore new reserves. Exporters are typically nations with strong heavy machinery manufacturing industries and expertise in energy sector equipment. Key considerations in trade involve drilling depth capacity, power source, mobility (on-road vs. off-road), and compliance with stringent safety and environmental standards specific to the extractive industries. The market is highly sensitive to global commodity prices and exploration budgets.
What products fall under HS code 870520?
Truck-mounted drilling rigs, oilfield service rigs, water well drilling rigs, geotechnical drilling vehicles, core sampling rigs, exploration drilling trucks, blast hole drilling rigs
What are common misclassifications for HS code 870520?
This code might be confused with 8430 (other moving, grading, levelling, scraping, excavating, tamping, compacting, extracting or boring machinery) if the drilling function is not mounted on a vehicle chassis, or 870590 for other special purpose vehicles.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 870520?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 870520 in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($31M, 25% of world exports), the United States ($23M) and Germany ($21M). World exports 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 870520?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 870520 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($28M, 15% of world imports), Côte d'Ivoire ($19M) and Algeria (about $17M). World imports came to about $188M, 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 870520 structured?
HS code 870520 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (87) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 870520?
In Brazil, HS code 870520 is NCM 8705.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.