HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8901.20 – Tankers
HS code 8901.20 is the 6-digit subheading for tankers. It is used for crude oil tankers, product tankers, chemical tankers, LNG carriers and LPG carriers.
What HS 8901.20 covers
This category covers tankers, specialized vessels designed for the bulk transport of liquids, including crude oil, refined petroleum products, chemicals, and liquefied natural gas (LNG). These ships are indispensable to the global energy and chemical industries, forming a critical link in international supply chains. Major shipping companies, oil & gas corporations, and chemical producers are the primary importers and operators. Key aspects of this trade involve adherence to strict international maritime safety and environmental regulations (e.g., MARPOL), the specialized engineering required for handling hazardous cargoes, and the significant capital investment involved in their construction. The market is highly sensitive to global energy demand and geopolitical factors.
- Covers
- Crude oil tankers
- Product tankers
- Chemical tankers
- LNG carriers
- LPG carriers
- Asphalt tankers
- Bunker tankers
- Examples
- VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier)
- Suezmax tanker
- Aframax tanker
- Q-Max LNG carrier
- Stolt Tankers' chemical carriers
Codes often confused with 8901.20
Common mistake. Tankers are specifically for liquid bulk and should not be confused with general cargo vessels (890190) or refrigerated vessels (890130), which handle different types of cargo.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 890120, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 890120 in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was France, with 34% 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 South Korea $13.5B 42% of world exports
- 2 China $12.6B 39% of world exports
- 3 Japan $2.1B 6.5% of world exports
World total: $32.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 France $6.4B 34% of world imports
- 2 Marshall Islands* ~$6.0B 32% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 South Korea $1.4B 7.4% of world imports
World total: $18.9B 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 8901.20
Brazil does not split HS 8901.20: its NCM code is 8901.20.00.
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 8901.20
What is HS code 890120?
HS code 890120 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Tankers. This category covers tankers, specialized vessels designed for the bulk transport of liquids, including crude oil, refined petroleum products, chemicals, and liquefied natural gas (LNG). These ships are indispensable to the global energy and chemical industries, forming a critical link in international supply chains. Major shipping companies, oil & gas corporations, and chemical producers are the primary importers and operators. Key aspects of this trade involve adherence to strict international maritime safety and environmental regulations (e.g., MARPOL), the specialized engineering required for handling hazardous cargoes, and the significant capital investment involved in their construction. The market is highly sensitive to global energy demand and geopolitical factors.
What products fall under HS code 890120?
Crude oil tankers, product tankers, chemical tankers, LNG carriers, LPG carriers, asphalt tankers, bunker tankers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 890120?
Tankers are specifically for liquid bulk and should not be confused with general cargo vessels (890190) or refrigerated vessels (890130), which handle different types of cargo.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 890120?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 890120 in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($13.5B, 42% of world exports), China ($12.6B) and Japan ($2.1B). World exports came to about $32.4B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 890120?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 890120 in UN Comtrade data were France ($6.4B, 34% of world imports), the Marshall Islands (about $6.0B) and South Korea ($1.4B). World imports came to about $18.9B, 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 890120 structured?
HS code 890120 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 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 890120?
In Brazil, HS code 890120 is NCM 8901.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.