HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8901.90 – Vessels; n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods
HS code 8901.90 is the 6-digit subheading for vessels, n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods. It is used for container ships, bulk carriers, ro-Ro vessels, general cargo ships and heavy-lift vessels.
What HS 8901.90 covers
This residual HS code within heading 8901 covers a broad spectrum of vessels primarily designed for the transport of goods, as well as those capable of transporting both persons and goods, but not principally persons. This includes the backbone of global merchandise trade: container ships, bulk carriers, and roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels. These ships are essential for intercontinental logistics, facilitating the movement of manufactured goods, raw materials, and vehicles. Major shipping lines, logistics companies, and port operators are the primary importers and exporters. Key aspects include the efficiency of containerization, the versatility of multi-purpose vessels, and their critical role in supporting global supply chains and international commerce. Their design focuses on cargo capacity, loading/unloading efficiency, and operational flexibility.
- Covers
- Container ships
- Bulk carriers
- Ro-Ro vessels
- General cargo ships
- Heavy-lift vessels
- Multi-purpose vessels
- Coastal freighters
- Car carriers
- Examples
- Maersk Triple E-class container ship
- Cosco Shipping's bulk carriers
- Grimaldi Lines' Ro-Ro vessels
- Spliethoff's heavy-lift ships
- Wallenius Wilhelmsen's car carriers
Codes often confused with 8901.90
Common mistake. This is a 'not elsewhere specified' category, so care must be taken not to classify specialized vessels like passenger ships (890110), tankers (890120), or refrigerated vessels (890130) here.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 890190, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 890190 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 53% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Marshall Islands, with about 19% 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 China $34.5B 53% of world exports
- 2 South Korea $12.5B 19% of world exports
- 3 Japan $8.1B 12% of world exports
World total: $65.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Marshall Islands* ~$4.3B 19% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Denmark $2.8B 12% of world imports
- 3 France $2.5B 11% of world imports
World total: $22.6B 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 8901.90
Brazil does not split HS 8901.90: its NCM code is 8901.90.00.
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 8901.90
What is HS code 890190?
HS code 890190 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Vessels; n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods. This residual HS code within heading 8901 covers a broad spectrum of vessels primarily designed for the transport of goods, as well as those capable of transporting both persons and goods, but not principally persons. This includes the backbone of global merchandise trade: container ships, bulk carriers, and roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels. These ships are essential for intercontinental logistics, facilitating the movement of manufactured goods, raw materials, and vehicles. Major shipping lines, logistics companies, and port operators are the primary importers and exporters. Key aspects include the efficiency of containerization, the versatility of multi-purpose vessels, and their critical role in supporting global supply chains and international commerce. Their design focuses on cargo capacity, loading/unloading efficiency, and operational flexibility.
What products fall under HS code 890190?
Container ships, bulk carriers, Ro-Ro vessels, general cargo ships, heavy-lift vessels, multi-purpose vessels, coastal freighters, car carriers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 890190?
This is a 'not elsewhere specified' category, so care must be taken not to classify specialized vessels like passenger ships (890110), tankers (890120), or refrigerated vessels (890130) here.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 890190?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 890190 in UN Comtrade data were China ($34.5B, 53% of world exports), South Korea ($12.5B) and Japan ($8.1B). World exports came to about $65.2B, 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 890190?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 890190 in UN Comtrade data were the Marshall Islands (about $4.3B, 19% of world imports), Denmark ($2.8B) and France ($2.5B). World imports came to about $22.6B, 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 890190 structured?
HS code 890190 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 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 890190?
In Brazil, HS code 890190 is NCM 8901.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.