HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 9015.80 – Surveying equipment; articles n.e.c. in heading no. 9015, including hydrographic, oceanographic, hydrological, meteorological or geophysical instruments and appliances (excluding compasses)
HS code 9015.80 is the 6-digit subheading for surveying equipment, articles n.e.c. in heading no. 9015, including hydrographic, oceanographic, hydrological, meteorological or geophysical instruments and appliances (excluding compasses). It is used for sonar systems, weather balloons, seismic sensors, current meters and tide gauges.
What HS 9015.80 covers
This broad HS code covers a diverse array of specialized surveying, hydrographic, oceanographic, hydrological, meteorological, and geophysical instruments not specified elsewhere in heading 9015. It includes critical tools for environmental monitoring, natural resource exploration, weather forecasting, and marine research. The trade involves highly specialized, often ruggedized equipment designed for specific scientific or industrial applications, from deep-sea exploration to atmospheric data collection and subsurface geological surveys. Key importers and exporters are countries with significant research institutions, offshore industries (e.g., oil and gas), environmental agencies, and advanced manufacturing capabilities in sensor technology. The demand is driven by global challenges such as climate change research, sustainable natural resource management, and infrastructure development in challenging environments, requiring precise data collection and analysis.
- Covers
- Sonar systems
- Weather balloons
- Seismic sensors
- Current meters
- Tide gauges
- Magnetometers
- Gravimeters
- Water quality probes
- Bathymetric systems
- Examples
- Teledyne RDI ADCP current profiler
- Vaisala radiosondes
- Fugro multibeam echosounders
- Sonardyne acoustic positioning systems
- Campbell Scientific weather stations
Codes often confused with 9015.80
Common mistake. This is a residual category for surveying and related instruments; care must be taken not to classify items here if a more specific code exists within 9015 (e.g., 901510 for rangefinders or 901520 for theodolites).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 901580, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 901580 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 11% 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 United States $985M 17% of world exports
- 2 China $755M 13% of world exports
- 3 United Kingdom $613M 10% of world exports
World total: $5.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $627M 11% of world imports
- 2 China $369M 6.8% of world imports
- 3 Norway $312M 5.7% of world imports
World total: $5.5B 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 codes for 9015.80 2
Brazil splits HS 9015.80 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 9015.80.10 Hydrometric current metersMolinetes hidrométricos
- 9015.80.90 Meteorological, geophysical and other instrumentsOutros
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 9015.80
What is HS code 901580?
HS code 901580 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Surveying equipment; articles n.e.c. in heading no. 9015, including hydrographic, oceanographic, hydrological, meteorological or geophysical instruments and appliances (excluding compasses). This broad HS code covers a diverse array of specialized surveying, hydrographic, oceanographic, hydrological, meteorological, and geophysical instruments not specified elsewhere in heading 9015. It includes critical tools for environmental monitoring, natural resource exploration, weather forecasting, and marine research. The trade involves highly specialized, often ruggedized equipment designed for specific scientific or industrial applications, from deep-sea exploration to atmospheric data collection and subsurface geological surveys. Key importers and exporters are countries with significant research institutions, offshore industries (e.g., oil and gas), environmental agencies, and advanced manufacturing capabilities in sensor technology. The demand is driven by global challenges such as climate change research, sustainable natural resource management, and infrastructure development in challenging environments, requiring precise data collection and analysis.
What products fall under HS code 901580?
Sonar systems, weather balloons, seismic sensors, current meters, tide gauges, magnetometers, gravimeters, water quality probes, bathymetric systems
What are common misclassifications for HS code 901580?
This is a residual category for surveying and related instruments; care must be taken not to classify items here if a more specific code exists within 9015 (e.g., 901510 for rangefinders or 901520 for theodolites).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 901580?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 901580 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($985M, 17% of world exports), China ($755M) and the United Kingdom ($613M). World exports 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 901580?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 901580 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($627M, 11% of world imports), China ($369M) and Norway ($312M). World imports came to about $5.5B, 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.
How is HS code 901580 structured?
HS code 901580 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 (80) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 901580?
Brazil splits HS code 901580 into 2 NCM codes: 9015.80.10 (Hydrometric current meters), 9015.80.90 (Meteorological, geophysical and other instruments). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.