HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 9015.30 – Surveying equipment; levels
HS code 9015.30 is the 6-digit subheading for surveying equipment, levels. It is used for automatic levels, digital levels, dumpy levels, laser levels (for surveying) and tilting levels.
What HS 9015.30 covers
This HS code specifically covers surveying levels, which are essential instruments used to determine or verify points in the same horizontal plane, measure differences in height, and establish grades. This category includes a range of devices from simple dumpy levels and automatic levels to more advanced digital levels. They are indispensable tools in construction, civil engineering, land surveying, and agricultural applications, ensuring accuracy in tasks like foundation laying, road construction, and irrigation system design. In international trade, levels are widely imported by countries with active construction sectors, infrastructure development projects, or agricultural land management needs, such as China, India, the USA, and various developing nations. Exporters often come from countries with established precision instrument manufacturing capabilities. Key aspects of this trade include accuracy, ease of use, durability in harsh environments, and the increasing adoption of digital levels for faster and more reliable readings, often integrating with data logging capabilities.
- Covers
- Automatic levels
- Digital levels
- Dumpy levels
- Laser levels (for surveying)
- Tilting levels
- Builder's levels
- Optical levels
- Examples
- Leica NA Series
- Topcon AT-B Series
- Trimble DiNi Digital Levels
- Bosch GLL Laser Levels (surveying type)
- Sokkia B Series
Codes often confused with 9015.30
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 901520 (theodolites/tachymeters) if the instrument also measures angles, or 901580 (other surveying instruments) if it's a more specialized height-measuring device. The primary function of establishing a horizontal plane or measuring vertical differences is key.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 901530, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 901530 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 15% 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 $276M 37% of world exports
- 2 Germany $126M 17% of world exports
- 3 Austria $60M 8.0% of world exports
World total: $752M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $109M 15% of world imports
- 2 France $59M 8.1% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $46M 6.4% of world imports
World total: $727M 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 code for 9015.30
Brazil does not split HS 9015.30: its NCM code is 9015.30.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 90.15 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 9015.30
What is HS code 901530?
HS code 901530 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Surveying equipment; levels. This HS code specifically covers surveying levels, which are essential instruments used to determine or verify points in the same horizontal plane, measure differences in height, and establish grades. This category includes a range of devices from simple dumpy levels and automatic levels to more advanced digital levels. They are indispensable tools in construction, civil engineering, land surveying, and agricultural applications, ensuring accuracy in tasks like foundation laying, road construction, and irrigation system design. In international trade, levels are widely imported by countries with active construction sectors, infrastructure development projects, or agricultural land management needs, such as China, India, the USA, and various developing nations. Exporters often come from countries with established precision instrument manufacturing capabilities. Key aspects of this trade include accuracy, ease of use, durability in harsh environments, and the increasing adoption of digital levels for faster and more reliable readings, often integrating with data logging capabilities.
What products fall under HS code 901530?
Automatic levels, Digital levels, Dumpy levels, Laser levels (for surveying), Tilting levels, Builder's levels, Optical levels
What are common misclassifications for HS code 901530?
This code can be confused with 901520 (theodolites/tachymeters) if the instrument also measures angles, or 901580 (other surveying instruments) if it's a more specialized height-measuring device. The primary function of establishing a horizontal plane or measuring vertical differences is key.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 901530?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 901530 in UN Comtrade data were China ($276M, 37% of world exports), Germany ($126M) and Austria ($60M). World exports came to about $752M, 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 901530?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 901530 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($109M, 15% of world imports), France ($59M) and the Netherlands ($46M). World imports came to about $727M, 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 901530 structured?
HS code 901530 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (90) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (15) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (30) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 901530?
In Brazil, HS code 901530 is NCM 9015.30.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.