HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8801.00 – Balloons and dirigibles; gliders, hang gliders and other non-powered aircraft.
HS code 8801.00 is the 6-digit subheading for balloons and dirigibles, gliders, hang gliders and other non-powered aircraft. It is used for hot air balloons, gas balloons, sailplanes, hang gliders and paragliders.
What HS 8801.00 covers
This HS code covers a unique segment of the aerospace industry: non-powered aircraft, including balloons, dirigibles, gliders, and hang gliders. These aircraft are primarily used for recreational purposes, sport, scientific research, and sometimes for advertising or surveillance, rather than commercial passenger or cargo transport. International trade in these items is driven by enthusiasts, sports organizations, research institutions, and tourism operators. Importers are often countries with active aviation sports communities, favorable weather conditions for gliding, or specialized research programs. Exporters are typically manufacturers specializing in lightweight materials, aerodynamics, and precision engineering. Key considerations in trade include safety certifications, material durability, design innovation for performance, and ease of transport. While not as high-volume as powered aircraft, this niche market represents a significant area for specialized manufacturing and recreational aviation.
- Covers
- Hot air balloons
- Gas balloons
- Sailplanes
- Hang gliders
- Paragliders
- Kites (for human flight)
- Dirigibles (non-powered)
- Research balloons
- Examples
- Cameron Balloons (hot air balloons)
- Schempp-Hirth (sailplanes)
- DG Flugzeugbau (gliders)
- Ozone Paragliding (paragliders)
- Wills Wing (hang gliders)
Codes often confused with 8801.00
Common mistake. This code is distinct from powered aircraft (8802 series) due to the "non-powered" criterion. It could be confused with certain types of drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) if they are very basic and non-powered, but most UAVs fall under 8806.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 880100, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 880100 in UN Comtrade data was Czechia, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 33% of world imports. The United States reports $152.8B of its chapter 88 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Czechia $11M 19% of world exports
- 2 South Africa $6.3M 11% of world exports
- 3 Spain $6.1M 11% of world exports
The United States reports $152.8B of its chapter 88 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $57M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Saudi Arabia $26M 33% of world imports
- 2 United States $13M 17% of world imports
- 3 Morocco $3.5M 4.4% of world imports
World total: $78M 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 8801.00
Brazil does not split HS 8801.00: its NCM code is 8801.00.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 88.01 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8801.00
What is HS code 880100?
HS code 880100 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Balloons and dirigibles; gliders, hang gliders and other non-powered aircraft.. This HS code covers a unique segment of the aerospace industry: non-powered aircraft, including balloons, dirigibles, gliders, and hang gliders. These aircraft are primarily used for recreational purposes, sport, scientific research, and sometimes for advertising or surveillance, rather than commercial passenger or cargo transport. International trade in these items is driven by enthusiasts, sports organizations, research institutions, and tourism operators. Importers are often countries with active aviation sports communities, favorable weather conditions for gliding, or specialized research programs. Exporters are typically manufacturers specializing in lightweight materials, aerodynamics, and precision engineering. Key considerations in trade include safety certifications, material durability, design innovation for performance, and ease of transport. While not as high-volume as powered aircraft, this niche market represents a significant area for specialized manufacturing and recreational aviation.
What products fall under HS code 880100?
Hot air balloons, Gas balloons, Sailplanes, Hang gliders, Paragliders, Kites (for human flight), Dirigibles (non-powered), Research balloons
What are common misclassifications for HS code 880100?
This code is distinct from powered aircraft (8802 series) due to the "non-powered" criterion. It could be confused with certain types of drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) if they are very basic and non-powered, but most UAVs fall under 8806.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 880100?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 880100 in UN Comtrade data were Czechia ($11M, 19% of world exports), South Africa ($6.3M) and Spain ($6.1M). World exports came to about $57M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). The United States reports $152.8B of its chapter 88 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 880100?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 880100 in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($26M, 33% of world imports), the United States ($13M) and Morocco ($3.5M). World imports came to about $78M, 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 880100 structured?
HS code 880100 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (88) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 880100?
In Brazil, HS code 880100 is NCM 8801.00.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.