Product classification
HS code for Aircraft catapults: 8805.10
Aircraft launching gear, deck-arrestor or similar gear and parts thereof.
Classification of aircraft catapults under HS 8805.10
Aircraft catapults are classified under HS code 880510 due to their specialized function as aircraft launching gear. Chapter 88 of the Harmonized System covers aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof. Heading 8805 is specifically dedicated to "Aircraft launching gear; deck-arrestor or similar gear; ground flying trainers; parts of the foregoing." The subheading 10 further specifies "Aircraft launching gear and parts thereof; deck-arrestor or similar gear and parts thereof." This classification accurately reflects the purpose of catapults as critical infrastructure for assisting aircraft in achieving takeoff velocity, particularly from constrained environments like aircraft carrier decks.
- Covers
- Steam catapult systems
- Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch Systems (EMALS)
- Catapult shuttle assemblies
- Launch bars and holdback bars for aircraft
- Catapult track components
- Hydraulic or pneumatic launching mechanisms for aircraft
- Parts specifically designed for aircraft catapults
- Also under 8805.10
- EMALS (Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System)
- Steam Catapult (C-13)
- Mark 7 Arresting Gear
- F/A-18 launch bar
- aircraft carrier deck equipment
Codes often confused with 8805.10
Common mistake. Aircraft catapults can be subject to misclassification if their highly specialized nature is overlooked. One common error is to classify them under more general machinery headings, such as HS code 847989, which covers "other machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere." However, 880510 is far more specific and therefore takes precedence. Another potential misclassification might involve considering them as general parts of aircraft under HS code 8803. While related to aircraft operations, catapults are ground or deck-based support equipment, not integral components of the aircraft itself, making 880510 the correct and precise classification.
Top exporters and importers of HS 880510 (the code used for aircraft catapults), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 880510 (the code used for aircraft catapults) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Egypt, with 88% of world imports. Italy reports $2.4B of its chapter 88 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 880510, not only aircraft catapults.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $174M 32% of world exports
- 2 Spain $113M 21% of world exports
- 3 Egypt $90M 17% of world exports
World total: $538M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Egypt $1.4B 88% of world imports
- 2 Japan $60M 3.9% of world imports
- 3 Singapore $11M 0.7% of world imports
Italy reports $2.4B of its chapter 88 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $1.6B 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.
Brazil NCM code for aircraft catapults
Brazil classifies aircraft catapults under NCM 8805.10.00: HS 8805.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about aircraft catapults
What is the HS code for Aircraft catapults?
The HS code for Aircraft catapults is 880510 (Aircraft launching gear, deck-arrestor or similar gear and parts thereof). The HS code for aircraft catapults is 880510, which covers aircraft launching gear and parts thereof.
How do I classify Aircraft catapults for customs?
Aircraft catapults is classified under HS code 880510 — Aircraft launching gear, deck-arrestor or similar gear and parts thereof. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include parts for aircraft catapults?
Yes, the description for HS code 880510 explicitly includes "parts thereof," meaning components specifically designed for aircraft launching gear are classified under this same code.
Which countries are the top exporters of aircraft catapults (HS 880510)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 880510 (the code used for aircraft catapults) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($174M, 32% of world exports), Spain ($113M) and Egypt ($90M). World exports came to about $538M, 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 aircraft catapults (HS 880510)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 880510 (the code used for aircraft catapults) in UN Comtrade data were Egypt ($1.4B, 88% of world imports), Japan ($60M) and Singapore ($11M). World imports came to about $1.6B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Italy reports $2.4B of its chapter 88 imports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Is the HS code for Aircraft catapults the same in all countries?
The base HS code 880510 for Aircraft catapults is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for aircraft catapults in Brazil?
In Brazil, aircraft catapults (HS 880510) is classified under NCM 8805.10.00.