HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8802.12 – Helicopters, except unmanned; of an unladen weight exceeding 2000kg
HS code 8802.12 is the 6-digit subheading for helicopters, except unmanned, of an unladen weight exceeding 2000kg. It is used for medium utility helicopters, heavy-lift helicopters, offshore transport helicopters, search and rescue helicopters and military transport helicopters.
What HS 8802.12 covers
This HS code covers medium to heavy helicopters, excluding unmanned variants, with an unladen weight exceeding 2000 kilograms. These robust aircraft are essential for a wide range of demanding applications, including offshore oil and gas transport, search and rescue (SAR), heavy-lift operations, military transport, corporate executive travel, and specialized law enforcement missions. International trade in these helicopters is a high-value segment of the aerospace market, driven by large corporations, government defense and civil agencies, and specialized service providers. Importers often include countries with significant natural resource industries, extensive coastlines requiring SAR capabilities, or those investing in modernizing their defense and public safety fleets. Exporters are typically nations with highly advanced aerospace industries and significant R&D capabilities. Key considerations in trade include operational range, payload capacity, advanced avionics, safety certifications, and long-term maintenance support. The market is influenced by global energy demands, geopolitical stability, and technological advancements in rotorcraft design.
- Covers
- Medium utility helicopters
- Heavy-lift helicopters
- Offshore transport helicopters
- Search and rescue helicopters
- Military transport helicopters
- Corporate VIP helicopters
- Firefighting helicopters
- Examples
- Sikorsky S-76
- Bell 412
- Airbus H145
- Leonardo AW139
- Boeing CH-47 Chinook
Codes often confused with 8802.12
Common mistake. The primary distinction for this code is the unladen weight exceeding 2000kg, separating it from lighter helicopters (880211). It must also be clearly distinguished from unmanned helicopters (drones) under 8806.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 880212, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 880212 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 11% of world imports. The United States reports $152.8B of its chapter 88 exports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $1.4B 30% of world exports
- 2 France $700M 15% of world exports
- 3 United States $692M 15% of world exports
The United States reports $152.8B of its chapter 88 exports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.
World total: $4.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Australia $590M 11% of world imports
- 2 Spain $508M 9.3% of world imports
- 3 United States $469M 8.6% of world imports
World total: $5.5B 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 8802.12 2
Brazil splits HS 8802.12 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8802.12.10 Helicopters over 2,000 kg up to 3,500 kg unladenDe peso não superior a 3.500 kg
- 8802.12.90 Helicopters over 3,500 kg unladen weightOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 88.02 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8802.12
What is HS code 880212?
HS code 880212 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Helicopters, except unmanned; of an unladen weight exceeding 2000kg. This HS code covers medium to heavy helicopters, excluding unmanned variants, with an unladen weight exceeding 2000 kilograms. These robust aircraft are essential for a wide range of demanding applications, including offshore oil and gas transport, search and rescue (SAR), heavy-lift operations, military transport, corporate executive travel, and specialized law enforcement missions. International trade in these helicopters is a high-value segment of the aerospace market, driven by large corporations, government defense and civil agencies, and specialized service providers. Importers often include countries with significant natural resource industries, extensive coastlines requiring SAR capabilities, or those investing in modernizing their defense and public safety fleets. Exporters are typically nations with highly advanced aerospace industries and significant R&D capabilities. Key considerations in trade include operational range, payload capacity, advanced avionics, safety certifications, and long-term maintenance support. The market is influenced by global energy demands, geopolitical stability, and technological advancements in rotorcraft design.
What products fall under HS code 880212?
Medium utility helicopters, Heavy-lift helicopters, Offshore transport helicopters, Search and rescue helicopters, Military transport helicopters, Corporate VIP helicopters, Firefighting helicopters
What are common misclassifications for HS code 880212?
The primary distinction for this code is the unladen weight exceeding 2000kg, separating it from lighter helicopters (880211). It must also be clearly distinguished from unmanned helicopters (drones) under 8806.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 880212?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 880212 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($1.4B, 30% of world exports), France ($700M) and the United States ($692M). World exports came to about $4.6B, 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 its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 880212?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 880212 in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($590M, 11% of world imports), Spain ($508M) and the United States ($469M). World imports came to about $5.5B, 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.
How is HS code 880212 structured?
HS code 880212 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (88) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (02) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (12) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 880212?
Brazil splits HS code 880212 into 2 NCM codes: 8802.12.10 (Helicopters over 2,000 kg up to 3,500 kg unladen), 8802.12.90 (Helicopters over 3,500 kg unladen weight). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.