HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 8905.10 – Dredgers

HS code 8905.10 is the 6-digit subheading for dredgers. It is used for cutter suction dredgers, trailing suction hopper dredgers, grab dredgers, bucket dredgers and backhoe dredgers.

What HS 8905.10 covers

Dredgers are specialized vessels designed to excavate material from the bottom of waterways, lakes, and oceans. This material, often sand, silt, or gravel, is removed to deepen navigation channels, reclaim land, construct artificial islands, or extract aggregates. International trade in dredgers is a significant component of the global infrastructure and maritime construction sectors. Major exporters are highly specialized shipyards, primarily in Europe and Asia, known for their advanced engineering in marine excavation technology. Importers include port authorities, construction companies, mining firms, and government agencies involved in coastal protection and waterway maintenance. Key considerations in this trade involve the type of dredger (e.g., cutter suction, trailing suction hopper), capacity, depth capability, environmental impact mitigation, and compliance with international maritime and environmental regulations.

Covers
  • Cutter suction dredgers
  • Trailing suction hopper dredgers
  • Grab dredgers
  • Bucket dredgers
  • Backhoe dredgers
  • Jet suction dredgers
  • Amphibious dredgers
Examples
  • IHC Beaver 50
  • Jan De Nul Vasco da Gama
  • Boskalis Barent Zanen
  • Wärtsilä WSD 80
  • Royal IHC Spartacus

Codes often confused with 8905.10

Common mistake. This code could be confused with 890590 (other special purpose vessels) if its specific dredging function isn't clearly identified, or 890190 (other vessels for transport) if the vessel is also used for transporting dredged material.

8905.90Vessels; light, fire-floats, floating cranes and other vessels, the navigability of which is subsidiary to their main function, floating docks8901.90Vessels; n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods

Top exporters and importers of HS code 890510, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 890510 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 45% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 48% 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. 1 China $690M
  2. 2 India $440M
  3. 3 Netherlands $132M

World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 India $907M
  2. 2 United Arab Emirates* ~$275M
  3. 3 Russia* ~$123M

World total: $1.9B 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 8905.10

Brazil does not split HS 8905.10: its NCM code is 8905.10.00.

  1. 8905.10.00 DredgersDragas

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 89.05 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 8905.10

What is HS code 890510?

HS code 890510 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Dredgers. Dredgers are specialized vessels designed to excavate material from the bottom of waterways, lakes, and oceans. This material, often sand, silt, or gravel, is removed to deepen navigation channels, reclaim land, construct artificial islands, or extract aggregates. International trade in dredgers is a significant component of the global infrastructure and maritime construction sectors. Major exporters are highly specialized shipyards, primarily in Europe and Asia, known for their advanced engineering in marine excavation technology. Importers include port authorities, construction companies, mining firms, and government agencies involved in coastal protection and waterway maintenance. Key considerations in this trade involve the type of dredger (e.g., cutter suction, trailing suction hopper), capacity, depth capability, environmental impact mitigation, and compliance with international maritime and environmental regulations.

What products fall under HS code 890510?

Cutter suction dredgers, Trailing suction hopper dredgers, Grab dredgers, Bucket dredgers, Backhoe dredgers, Jet suction dredgers, Amphibious dredgers

What are common misclassifications for HS code 890510?

This code could be confused with 890590 (other special purpose vessels) if its specific dredging function isn't clearly identified, or 890190 (other vessels for transport) if the vessel is also used for transporting dredged material.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 890510?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 890510 in UN Comtrade data were China ($690M, 45% of world exports), India ($440M) and the Netherlands ($132M). World exports came to about $1.5B, 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.

Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 890510?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 890510 in UN Comtrade data were India ($907M, 48% of world imports), the United Arab Emirates (about $275M) and Russia (about $123M). World imports came to about $1.9B, 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 890510 structured?

HS code 890510 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (89) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) 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 890510?

In Brazil, HS code 890510 is NCM 8905.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.