HS code · 2-digit chapter

HS Code 93 – Arms and ammunition; parts and accessories thereof

What HS 93 covers

Chapter 93 of the Harmonized System encompasses 'Arms and ammunition; parts and accessories thereof,' a highly sensitive and tightly regulated category in international trade. This chapter covers a broad spectrum of items designed for offensive or defensive purposes, ranging from military-grade weapons and munitions to sporting firearms and their components. The scope includes revolvers, pistols, rifles, shotguns, machine guns, bombs, grenades, torpedoes, missiles, and all types of ammunition, as well as essential parts and accessories like gun barrels, magazines, silencers, and specialized sights. Excluded are items clearly identifiable as toys, non-functional antique weapons solely for collection, or general-purpose tools that might have a remote resemblance. Classification under Chapter 93 is paramount for trade compliance due to stringent national and international controls, including export/import licenses, end-use certificates, compliance with international treaties like the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), and adherence to various sanctions regimes. Historically, trade in arms has been a cornerstone of national security and foreign policy, making its regulation critical for global stability. Major headings within this chapter delineate military weapons (93.01), other revolvers and pistols (93.02), sporting or hunting firearms (93.03), other non-firearm weapons like stun guns (93.04), parts and accessories (93.05), and a comprehensive range of bombs, missiles, and ammunition (93.06), along with swords and similar arms (93.07).

Covers
  • Assault rifles
  • Sniper rifles
  • Machine guns
  • Revolvers
  • Semi-automatic pistols
  • Hunting shotguns
  • Sporting rifles
  • Air rifles
  • Paintball markers
  • Stun guns (electrical incapacitating devices)
  • Hand grenades
  • Anti-tank missiles
  • Artillery shells
  • Small arms ammunition cartridges
  • Blank ammunition
  • Gun barrels
  • Rifle scopes (designed for firearms)
  • Silencers (suppressors)
  • Pistol grips (specific to firearms)
  • Detachable magazines for firearms
  • Bayonets
  • Swords (non-antique, functional)
  • Cartridge cases (unloaded)
  • Shotgun wads
  • Armored fighting vehicle turrets
Examples

A defense contractor in the United States exports a shipment of M4 carbine assault rifles (HS 93.01) and associated 5.56mm ammunition cartridges (HS 93.06) to a NATO ally in Europe, such as Poland, under a government-to-government foreign military sales (FMS) contract, requiring strict export licenses and end-user certificates to ensure compliance with international arms control regulations. Separately, a private security firm in South Africa imports a consignment of semi-automatic pistols (HS 93.02) and training ammunition (HS 93.06) from a manufacturer in Brazil for its licensed security personnel, navigating rigorous national import permits and background checks for each firearm. Furthermore, a sporting goods distributor in Canada imports high-powered hunting rifles (HS 93.03) and specialized rifle scopes (HS 93.05) from a European manufacturer in the Czech Republic, requiring specific import permits and adhering to stringent firearm registration laws unique to Canadian regulations. Lastly, a military procurement agency in Australia imports advanced anti-ship missiles (HS 93.06) and their guidance system components (HS 93.06, parts) from a defense technology company in the United States, involving complex intergovernmental agreements and robust export control compliance for strategic military hardware.

Headings in chapter 93 7

93.01Military weapons; other than revolvers, pistols and arms of heading no. 930793.02Revolvers and pistols; other than those of heading no. 9303 or 930493.03Firearms; other similar devices (e.g. sporting shotguns and rifles, muzzle-loading firearms, very pistols, devices for firing flares or blank ammunition, captive bolt humane killers, line throwing guns)93.04Firearms; (e.g. spring, air or gas guns and pistols, truncheons), excluding those of heading no. 930793.05Firearms; parts and accessories of articles of heading no. 9301 to 930493.06Bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, missiles and similar munitions of war and parts thereof; cartridges and other ammunition, projectiles and parts thereof, including shot and cartridge wads93.07Arms; swords, cutlasses, bayonets, lances and the like, parts thereof and scabbards and sheaths therefor

25 Brazil NCM codes in chapter 93 →

Codes often confused with 93

Common mistake. Common misclassifications in Chapter 93 often arise from the distinction between functional weapons and other items. Traders frequently confuse rifle scopes designed for firearms (HS 93.05) with general optical telescopes or binoculars (HS 90.05). While both are optical instruments, the specific design and primary purpose for mounting on a weapon dictates classification under Chapter 93. Another frequent error involves distinguishing between functional airsoft/paintball guns (HS 93.04) and toys (HS 95.03); if the item fires projectiles with significant kinetic energy, it falls under 93.04, not as a toy. Additionally, antique firearms are often misclassified. If an antique firearm is still functional or readily made functional and imported for use as a weapon, it belongs in Chapter 93, not as a collector's piece of historical interest (HS 97.05).

Top exporters and importers of HS code 93, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 93 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Poland, with 13% 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 United States $8.4B
  2. 2 Türkiye $4.7B
  3. 3 South Korea $3.3B

World total: $39.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Poland $4.1B
  2. 2 United States $3.9B
  3. 3 Czechia $3.4B

World total: $31.9B 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 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 93

What is HS code 93?

HS code 93 is a 2-digit chapter in the Harmonized System that covers: Arms and ammunition; parts and accessories thereof. Chapter 93 of the Harmonized System encompasses 'Arms and ammunition; parts and accessories thereof,' a highly sensitive and tightly regulated category in international trade. This chapter covers a broad spectrum of items designed for offensive or defensive purposes, ranging from military-grade weapons and munitions to sporting firearms and their components. The scope includes revolvers, pistols, rifles, shotguns, machine guns, bombs, grenades, torpedoes, missiles, and all types of ammunition, as well as essential parts and accessories like gun barrels, magazines, silencers, and specialized sights. Excluded are items clearly identifiable as toys, non-functional antique weapons solely for collection, or general-purpose tools that might have a remote resemblance. Classification under Chapter 93 is paramount for trade compliance due to stringent national and international controls, including export/import licenses, end-use certificates, compliance with international treaties like the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), and adherence to various sanctions regimes. Historically, trade in arms has been a cornerstone of national security and foreign policy, making its regulation critical for global stability. Major headings within this chapter delineate military weapons (93.01), other revolvers and pistols (93.02), sporting or hunting firearms (93.03), other non-firearm weapons like stun guns (93.04), parts and accessories (93.05), and a comprehensive range of bombs, missiles, and ammunition (93.06), along with swords and similar arms (93.07).

What products fall under HS code 93?

Assault rifles, sniper rifles, machine guns, revolvers, semi-automatic pistols, hunting shotguns, sporting rifles, air rifles, paintball markers, stun guns (electrical incapacitating devices), hand grenades, anti-tank missiles, artillery shells, small arms ammunition cartridges, blank ammunition, gun barrels, rifle scopes (designed for firearms), silencers (suppressors), pistol grips (specific to firearms), detachable magazines for firearms, bayonets, swords (non-antique, functional), cartridge cases (unloaded), shotgun wads, armored fighting vehicle turrets

What are common misclassifications for HS code 93?

Common misclassifications in Chapter 93 often arise from the distinction between functional weapons and other items. Traders frequently confuse rifle scopes designed for firearms (HS 93.05) with general optical telescopes or binoculars (HS 90.05). While both are optical instruments, the specific design and primary purpose for mounting on a weapon dictates classification under Chapter 93. Another frequent error involves distinguishing between functional airsoft/paintball guns (HS 93.04) and toys (HS 95.03); if the item fires projectiles with significant kinetic energy, it falls under 93.04, not as a toy. Additionally, antique firearms are often misclassified. If an antique firearm is still functional or readily made functional and imported for use as a weapon, it belongs in Chapter 93, not as a collector's piece of historical interest (HS 97.05).

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 93?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 93 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($8.4B, 21% of world exports), Türkiye ($4.7B) and South Korea ($3.3B). World exports came to about $39.4B, 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 93?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 93 in UN Comtrade data were Poland ($4.1B, 13% of world imports), the United States ($3.9B) and Czechia ($3.4B). World imports came to about $31.9B, 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 93 structured?

HS code 93 is a 2-digit chapter code in the Harmonized System maintained by the World Customs Organization. It represents a broad category of goods and contains multiple 4-digit headings and 6-digit subheadings for more specific classifications.