HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 9406.20 – Buildings; modular building units, of steel
HS code 9406.20 is the 6-digit subheading for buildings, modular building units, of steel. It is used for steel container offices, modular steel classrooms, prefabricated steel site huts, steel emergency shelters and modular steel medical clinics.
What HS 9406.20 covers
This HS code specifically covers modular building units constructed primarily from steel, a robust and versatile material for prefabricated construction. These units are manufactured off-site and then transported for assembly into larger structures, often used for temporary offices, construction site facilities, emergency housing, or even multi-story permanent buildings. Major importers include countries with large infrastructure projects, mining operations, or those needing rapid deployment solutions, such as Australia, the Middle East, and developing nations. Exporters are typically countries with strong steel manufacturing capabilities and advanced modular construction industries, like China, Germany, and the United States. Key considerations in this trade involve steel prices, shipping logistics for heavy and bulky units, compliance with structural engineering standards, and the increasing demand for sustainable and recyclable building materials. The durability, speed of deployment, and reusability of steel modular units make them highly attractive for various applications.
- Covers
- Steel container offices
- Modular steel classrooms
- Prefabricated steel site huts
- Steel emergency shelters
- Modular steel medical clinics
- Steel mining camp units
- Prefabricated steel guardhouses
- Modular steel data centers
- Examples
- Portakabin modular buildings
- ATCO Structures & Logistics units
- Algeco steel modules
- Karmod prefabricated steel buildings
- Boxman Studios container structures
Codes often confused with 9406.20
Common mistake. This code might be confused with 940690 (prefabricated buildings not of wood) if the steel aspect isn't explicitly recognized, or with 730890 (other structures of iron or steel) if the unit isn't clearly a complete or substantially complete building module. The "modular building unit" and "steel" composition are critical.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 940620, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 940620 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Hong Kong, 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 China $475M 29% of world exports
- 2 Czechia $210M 13% of world exports
- 3 Slovenia $129M 8.0% of world exports
World total: $1.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Hong Kong $226M 13% of world imports
- 2 Germany $162M 9.3% of world imports
- 3 Saudi Arabia $137M 7.9% of world imports
World total: $1.7B 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.
Brazil NCM code for 9406.20
Brazil does not split HS 9406.20: its NCM code is 9406.20.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 94.06 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
EU Regulatory Requirements
This product category is subject to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). Importers must provide due diligence statements proving the product was not produced on deforested land after December 31, 2020.
This product is covered by the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), requiring operators to exercise due diligence to minimize the risk of placing illegally harvested timber on the EU market.
Questions about HS 9406.20
What is HS code 940620?
HS code 940620 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Buildings; modular building units, of steel. This HS code specifically covers modular building units constructed primarily from steel, a robust and versatile material for prefabricated construction. These units are manufactured off-site and then transported for assembly into larger structures, often used for temporary offices, construction site facilities, emergency housing, or even multi-story permanent buildings. Major importers include countries with large infrastructure projects, mining operations, or those needing rapid deployment solutions, such as Australia, the Middle East, and developing nations. Exporters are typically countries with strong steel manufacturing capabilities and advanced modular construction industries, like China, Germany, and the United States. Key considerations in this trade involve steel prices, shipping logistics for heavy and bulky units, compliance with structural engineering standards, and the increasing demand for sustainable and recyclable building materials. The durability, speed of deployment, and reusability of steel modular units make them highly attractive for various applications.
What products fall under HS code 940620?
Steel container offices, Modular steel classrooms, Prefabricated steel site huts, Steel emergency shelters, Modular steel medical clinics, Steel mining camp units, Prefabricated steel guardhouses, Modular steel data centers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 940620?
This code might be confused with 940690 (prefabricated buildings not of wood) if the steel aspect isn't explicitly recognized, or with 730890 (other structures of iron or steel) if the unit isn't clearly a complete or substantially complete building module. The "modular building unit" and "steel" composition are critical.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 940620?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 940620 in UN Comtrade data were China ($475M, 29% of world exports), Czechia ($210M) and Slovenia ($129M). World exports came to about $1.6B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 940620?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 940620 in UN Comtrade data were Hong Kong ($226M, 13% of world imports), Germany ($162M) and Saudi Arabia ($137M). World imports came to about $1.7B, 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 940620 structured?
HS code 940620 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (94) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (06) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 940620?
In Brazil, HS code 940620 is NCM 9406.20.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.