HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 90.28 – Gas, liquid or electricity supply or production meters, including calibrating meters therefor
What HS 90.28 covers
Heading 9028 covers meters specifically designed for measuring the supply or production of gas, liquid, or electricity, alongside their calibrating meters. This classification is crucial for utilities, energy management, and resource allocation across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The scope is quite specific, focusing on instruments that quantify consumption or output for billing, monitoring, or regulatory purposes, thereby excluding general flow meters or electrical measuring devices not intended for utility-type metering. Key sub-categories include traditional mechanical and electronic electricity meters, smart meters with advanced communication capabilities, various types of gas meters (diaphragm, ultrasonic), and liquid meters (water, oil). The rise of smart grid initiatives and sustainable resource management has significantly increased the trade volume and technological sophistication within this heading. Accurate classification under 9028 is vital for trade compliance, influencing tariff rates, anti-dumping duties, and eligibility for government incentives related to energy efficiency or infrastructure development. Historically, these meters have evolved from simple mechanical devices to complex electronic systems, reflecting advancements in precision measurement and data communication. As part of Section XVIII, this heading highlights the essential role of precise measurement in modern infrastructure and commerce.
- Covers
- Residential electricity meters
- Smart electricity meters
- Industrial electricity meters
- Gas meters (diaphragm type)
- Ultrasonic gas meters
- Industrial gas meters
- Water meters (mechanical)
- Ultrasonic water meters
- Smart water meters
- Prepayment electricity meters
- Multi-tariff electricity meters
- Calibrating meters for electricity meters
- Calibrating meters for gas meters
- Calibrating meters for water meters
- Heat meters (for billing district heating)
- Steam meters (for billing)
- Electricity production meters
- Gas production meters
- Liquid production meters
- Bulk water meters
- BTU meters (for energy billing)
- Demand meters for electricity
- Flow meters for utility billing
- Turbine gas meters
- Examples
A South Korean manufacturer exports a large consignment of smart electricity meters to a utility company in India, supporting their national grid modernization and energy efficiency program. A German firm specializes in high-precision industrial gas meters, supplying them to a petrochemical plant in Saudi Arabia to accurately measure gas consumption in their production processes. A Chinese company imports advanced water meter calibration equipment from the Netherlands to ensure the accuracy and compliance of the water meters produced in their domestic manufacturing facility before distribution.
Subheadings under 90.28 4
Codes often confused with 90.28
Common mistake. Misclassification under heading 9028 often occurs when traders confuse utility meters with other measuring instruments. A common error is classifying general flow, level, or pressure measuring instruments (9026) as supply/production meters, even if they are not specifically for utility billing or resource quantification. Another frequent mistake involves heading 9030, which covers instruments for measuring or checking electrical quantities in general, but specifically excludes meters of 9028. For instance, a sophisticated industrial power analyzer might be mistakenly grouped with utility meters. Furthermore, some components or parts of meters, if not clearly identifiable as such, might be misclassified under general parts headings, leading to compliance issues.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 9028, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 9028 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% 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 $2.7B 25% of world exports
- 2 Mexico $1.5B 14% of world exports
- 3 United States $783M 7.3% of world exports
World total: $10.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.9B 18% of world imports
- 2 Mexico $622M 5.9% of world imports
- 3 Germany $620M 5.9% of world imports
World total: $10.6B 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 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.
Questions about HS 90.28
What is HS code 9028?
HS code 9028 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Gas, liquid or electricity supply or production meters, including calibrating meters therefor. Heading 9028 covers meters specifically designed for measuring the supply or production of gas, liquid, or electricity, alongside their calibrating meters. This classification is crucial for utilities, energy management, and resource allocation across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. The scope is quite specific, focusing on instruments that quantify consumption or output for billing, monitoring, or regulatory purposes, thereby excluding general flow meters or electrical measuring devices not intended for utility-type metering. Key sub-categories include traditional mechanical and electronic electricity meters, smart meters with advanced communication capabilities, various types of gas meters (diaphragm, ultrasonic), and liquid meters (water, oil). The rise of smart grid initiatives and sustainable resource management has significantly increased the trade volume and technological sophistication within this heading. Accurate classification under 9028 is vital for trade compliance, influencing tariff rates, anti-dumping duties, and eligibility for government incentives related to energy efficiency or infrastructure development. Historically, these meters have evolved from simple mechanical devices to complex electronic systems, reflecting advancements in precision measurement and data communication. As part of Section XVIII, this heading highlights the essential role of precise measurement in modern infrastructure and commerce.
What products fall under HS code 9028?
Residential electricity meters, Smart electricity meters, Industrial electricity meters, Gas meters (diaphragm type), Ultrasonic gas meters, Industrial gas meters, Water meters (mechanical), Ultrasonic water meters, Smart water meters, Prepayment electricity meters, Multi-tariff electricity meters, Calibrating meters for electricity meters, Calibrating meters for gas meters, Calibrating meters for water meters, Heat meters (for billing district heating), Steam meters (for billing), Electricity production meters, Gas production meters, Liquid production meters, Bulk water meters, BTU meters (for energy billing), Demand meters for electricity, Flow meters for utility billing, Turbine gas meters
What are common misclassifications for HS code 9028?
Misclassification under heading 9028 often occurs when traders confuse utility meters with other measuring instruments. A common error is classifying general flow, level, or pressure measuring instruments (9026) as supply/production meters, even if they are not specifically for utility billing or resource quantification. Another frequent mistake involves heading 9030, which covers instruments for measuring or checking electrical quantities in general, but specifically excludes meters of 9028. For instance, a sophisticated industrial power analyzer might be mistakenly grouped with utility meters. Furthermore, some components or parts of meters, if not clearly identifiable as such, might be misclassified under general parts headings, leading to compliance issues.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 9028?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 9028 in UN Comtrade data were China ($2.7B, 25% of world exports), Mexico ($1.5B) and the United States ($783M). World exports came to about $10.8B, 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 9028?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 9028 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.9B, 18% of world imports), Mexico ($622M) and Germany ($620M). World imports came to about $10.6B, 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 9028 structured?
HS code 9028 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 90 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (90) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (28) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.