HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 90.29 – Revolution counter, production counters, taximeters, mileometers, pedometers and the like, speed indicators and tachometers, other than those of heading no. 9015, stroboscopes
What HS 90.29 covers
Heading 9029 encompasses a specialized group of instruments designed for counting revolutions, production units, distance, or measuring speed, along with stroboscopes. This classification is vital across various sectors, from automotive and manufacturing to sports and fitness. The scope specifically includes revolution counters, production counters, taximeters, mileometers (odometers), pedometers, speed indicators, and tachometers, explicitly excluding those of heading 9015 (surveying instruments). Stroboscopes, used for analyzing periodic motion, also fall under this heading. These instruments are fundamental for monitoring performance, ensuring quality control in industrial processes, tracking vehicle usage, and aiding personal fitness. Key sub-categories involve mechanical and electronic versions of these devices, ranging from simple consumer-grade pedometers to sophisticated industrial tachometers. Proper classification under 9029 is essential for trade compliance, determining applicable tariff rates, and ensuring adherence to specific regulations, particularly for automotive components or consumer electronics. Historically, these devices have evolved from purely mechanical designs to highly accurate digital and GPS-enabled systems, reflecting advancements in sensor technology and microelectronics. As part of Section XVIII, this heading underscores the chapter's focus on precision measurement and monitoring in diverse applications.
- Covers
- Digital revolution counters
- Mechanical production counters
- Electronic taximeters
- Vehicle mileometers (odometers)
- Digital pedometers
- GPS-enabled pedometers
- Bicycle speedometers
- Automotive tachometers
- Industrial stroboscopes
- Hand-held tachometers
- Hour meters for machinery
- Digital production counters with display
- Non-contact tachometers
- Laser tachometers
- Digital odometers for industrial equipment
- Magnetic speed sensors for tachometers
- Shaft encoders (when used as counters/speed indicators)
- Digital distance measuring wheels (for road work)
- Motorcycle speedometers
- Aircraft tachometers
- Multi-function fitness trackers (with pedometer/speedometer features)
- Taxi meters with GPS
- Digital production line counters
- Motor vehicle odometers
- Marine tachometers
- Examples
A Taiwanese manufacturer exports a large consignment of digital tachometers and production counters to an automotive assembly plant in Mexico, where they are integrated into machinery for monitoring engine RPM and production line output. A US company imports advanced GPS-enabled pedometers and fitness trackers from Vietnam, catering to the growing consumer market for wearable health technology. A German firm supplies specialized industrial stroboscopes to a textile machinery manufacturer in Turkey, enabling them to visually inspect high-speed weaving processes for defects without stopping the machinery.
Subheadings under 90.29 3
Codes often confused with 90.29
Common mistake. Traders frequently misclassify items under heading 9029. A common error is confusing these instruments with those of heading 9015, which covers surveying instruments; for example, a distance measuring wheel primarily used for land surveying would fall under 9015, not 9029. Another mistake involves general measuring or checking instruments of heading 9031, which is a residual category. If a device's primary function is precisely counting revolutions, production, or measuring speed, it belongs in 9029, not the broader 9031. Additionally, some parts of machines that incorporate counting or speed-sensing capabilities might be incorrectly classified as complete instruments instead of parts under relevant machinery headings.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 9029, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 9029 in UN Comtrade data was Portugal, with 14% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 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 Portugal $1.3B 14% of world exports
- 2 Germany $1.1B 12% of world exports
- 3 Mexico $972M 11% of world exports
World total: $8.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.5B 19% of world imports
- 2 Germany $801M 10% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $390M 5.1% of world imports
World total: $7.7B 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 90.29
What is HS code 9029?
HS code 9029 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Revolution counter, production counters, taximeters, mileometers, pedometers and the like, speed indicators and tachometers, other than those of heading no. 9015, stroboscopes. Heading 9029 encompasses a specialized group of instruments designed for counting revolutions, production units, distance, or measuring speed, along with stroboscopes. This classification is vital across various sectors, from automotive and manufacturing to sports and fitness. The scope specifically includes revolution counters, production counters, taximeters, mileometers (odometers), pedometers, speed indicators, and tachometers, explicitly excluding those of heading 9015 (surveying instruments). Stroboscopes, used for analyzing periodic motion, also fall under this heading. These instruments are fundamental for monitoring performance, ensuring quality control in industrial processes, tracking vehicle usage, and aiding personal fitness. Key sub-categories involve mechanical and electronic versions of these devices, ranging from simple consumer-grade pedometers to sophisticated industrial tachometers. Proper classification under 9029 is essential for trade compliance, determining applicable tariff rates, and ensuring adherence to specific regulations, particularly for automotive components or consumer electronics. Historically, these devices have evolved from purely mechanical designs to highly accurate digital and GPS-enabled systems, reflecting advancements in sensor technology and microelectronics. As part of Section XVIII, this heading underscores the chapter's focus on precision measurement and monitoring in diverse applications.
What products fall under HS code 9029?
Digital revolution counters, Mechanical production counters, Electronic taximeters, Vehicle mileometers (odometers), Digital pedometers, GPS-enabled pedometers, Bicycle speedometers, Automotive tachometers, Industrial stroboscopes, Hand-held tachometers, Hour meters for machinery, Digital production counters with display, Non-contact tachometers, Laser tachometers, Digital odometers for industrial equipment, Magnetic speed sensors for tachometers, Shaft encoders (when used as counters/speed indicators), Digital distance measuring wheels (for road work), Motorcycle speedometers, Aircraft tachometers, Multi-function fitness trackers (with pedometer/speedometer features), Taxi meters with GPS, Digital production line counters, Motor vehicle odometers, Marine tachometers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 9029?
Traders frequently misclassify items under heading 9029. A common error is confusing these instruments with those of heading 9015, which covers surveying instruments; for example, a distance measuring wheel primarily used for land surveying would fall under 9015, not 9029. Another mistake involves general measuring or checking instruments of heading 9031, which is a residual category. If a device's primary function is precisely counting revolutions, production, or measuring speed, it belongs in 9029, not the broader 9031. Additionally, some parts of machines that incorporate counting or speed-sensing capabilities might be incorrectly classified as complete instruments instead of parts under relevant machinery headings.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 9029?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 9029 in UN Comtrade data were Portugal ($1.3B, 14% of world exports), Germany ($1.1B) and Mexico ($972M). World exports came to about $8.9B, 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 9029?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 9029 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.5B, 19% of world imports), Germany ($801M) and South Korea ($390M). World imports came to about $7.7B, 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 9029 structured?
HS code 9029 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 90 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (90) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (29) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.