HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8901.10 – Cruise ships, excursion boats and similar vessels, principally designed for the transport of persons, ferry boats of all kinds
HS code 8901.10 is the 6-digit subheading for cruise ships, excursion boats and similar vessels, principally designed for the transport of persons, ferry boats of all kinds. It is used for cruise liners, car ferries, passenger ferries, river cruise ships and excursion boats.
What HS 8901.10 covers
This HS code encompasses large vessels primarily designed for transporting people, including luxurious cruise ships, smaller excursion boats, and essential ferry services. These high-value assets are central to the global tourism industry and public transportation networks, connecting islands, coastal cities, and offering leisure experiences. Major shipyards in countries like South Korea, China, and European nations are key exporters, while cruise lines, ferry operators, and governments worldwide are significant importers. Key considerations in this trade include stringent international safety regulations (e.g., SOLAS), environmental impact and emissions standards, and the complex financing and long lead times associated with their construction. The market is driven by global travel trends, infrastructure development, and the demand for efficient passenger logistics.
- Covers
- Cruise liners
- Car ferries
- Passenger ferries
- River cruise ships
- Excursion boats
- Catamaran ferries
- High-speed passenger vessels
- Examples
- Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas
- Viking River Cruises' Viking Longships
- BC Ferries' Spirit of British Columbia
- P&O Ferries' Spirit of Britain
- Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras
Codes often confused with 8901.10
Common mistake. This code is distinct from 890190, which covers vessels for goods or mixed transport, as 890110 specifies 'principally designed for the transport of persons'. It should also not be confused with pleasure craft under 8903.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 890110, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 890110 in UN Comtrade data was France, with 43% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Bahamas, with about 28% 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 France $9.0B 43% of world exports
- 2 Italy $4.9B 23% of world exports
- 3 Germany $3.5B 17% of world exports
World total: $21.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Bahamas* ~$1.7B 28% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Germany $1.3B 23% of world imports
- 3 Malta $572M 9.7% of world imports
World total: $5.9B 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 8901.10
Brazil does not split HS 8901.10: its NCM code is 8901.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 89.01 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8901.10
What is HS code 890110?
HS code 890110 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Cruise ships, excursion boats and similar vessels, principally designed for the transport of persons, ferry boats of all kinds. This HS code encompasses large vessels primarily designed for transporting people, including luxurious cruise ships, smaller excursion boats, and essential ferry services. These high-value assets are central to the global tourism industry and public transportation networks, connecting islands, coastal cities, and offering leisure experiences. Major shipyards in countries like South Korea, China, and European nations are key exporters, while cruise lines, ferry operators, and governments worldwide are significant importers. Key considerations in this trade include stringent international safety regulations (e.g., SOLAS), environmental impact and emissions standards, and the complex financing and long lead times associated with their construction. The market is driven by global travel trends, infrastructure development, and the demand for efficient passenger logistics.
What products fall under HS code 890110?
Cruise liners, car ferries, passenger ferries, river cruise ships, excursion boats, catamaran ferries, high-speed passenger vessels
What are common misclassifications for HS code 890110?
This code is distinct from 890190, which covers vessels for goods or mixed transport, as 890110 specifies 'principally designed for the transport of persons'. It should also not be confused with pleasure craft under 8903.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 890110?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 890110 in UN Comtrade data were France ($9.0B, 43% of world exports), Italy ($4.9B) and Germany ($3.5B). World exports came to about $21.0B, 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 890110?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 890110 in UN Comtrade data were the Bahamas (about $1.7B, 28% of world imports), Germany ($1.3B) and Malta ($572M). World imports came to about $5.9B, 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 890110 structured?
HS code 890110 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (89) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 890110?
In Brazil, HS code 890110 is NCM 8901.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.