Product classification

HS code for Cargo drones: 8806.29

Unmanned aircraft, for remote-controlled flight only, for other than for carriage of passengers, with the maximum take-off weight of more than 150kg.

Classification of cargo drones under HS 8806.29

Cargo drones with a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) exceeding 150 kg are classified under HS code 8806.29. This classification was established to accommodate the rapid technological advancement of unmanned aircraft (UAVs). Under the 2022 HS revisions, Chapter 88 was restructured to separate manned aircraft from unmanned ones. Heading 8806 specifically covers unmanned aircraft. The sub-classification 8806.29 is reserved for drones designed for remote-controlled or autonomous flight that are not intended for passenger transport and have a high weight capacity (over 150 kg). This classification is determined by the absence of an on-board pilot and the specific MTOW threshold, which distinguishes heavy-duty industrial or logistics drones from smaller commercial or recreational models. The MTOW includes the weight of the aircraft itself plus its maximum payload, fuel, and equipment.

Covers
  • Heavy-lift autonomous cargo drones
  • Remote-controlled logistics UAVs with MTOW > 150kg
  • Unmanned delivery aircraft for industrial use
  • Fixed-wing cargo drones exceeding 150kg MTOW
  • Rotary-wing unmanned freighters exceeding 150kg MTOW
Also under 8806.29
  • Kaman K-MAX (unmanned variant)
  • Boeing MQ-25 Stingray (remote-controlled aspects)
  • General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper (remote-controlled)
  • Aevum Ravn X (launch platform)
  • Elbit Hermes 900 (remote-controlled)

Codes often confused with 8806.29

Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs with HS code 8806.24, which covers drones with an MTOW between 25 kg and 150 kg. Accurate weighing is essential for correct classification. Another error is using HS code 8802, which is now strictly for manned aircraft. Before the 2022 update, drones were often classified under 8802, but this is no longer correct. Additionally, very small drones should not be classified here; if they are designed as toys, they may fall under 9503, though cargo drones of this weight class rarely meet toy criteria.

8806.24Unmanned aircraft; for remote-controlled flight only, for other than for carriage of passengers, with the maximum take-off weight of more than 25kg but not more than 150kg88.02Aircraft n.e.c. in heading no. 8801, except unmanned aircraft of heading 8806, (e.g. helicopters, aeroplanes); spacecraft (including satellites) and suborbital and spacecraft launch vehicles95.03Tricycles, scooters, pedal cars and similar wheeled toys; dolls' carriages; dolls; other toys; reduced-size (scale) models and similar recreational models, working or not; puzzles of all kinds

Top exporters and importers of HS 880629 (the code used for cargo drones), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 880629 (the code used for cargo drones) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 41% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Ukraine, with about 31% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Figures cover everything classified under HS 880629, not only cargo drones.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 United States $286M
  2. 2 Israel $133M
  3. 3 Netherlands $131M

World total: $702M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Ukraine* ~$173M
  2. 2 Croatia $71M
  3. 3 United Kingdom $55M

World total: $556M 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 cargo drones

Brazil classifies cargo drones under NCM 8806.29.00: HS 8806.29 with 00 added.

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about cargo drones

What is the HS code for Cargo drones?

The HS code for Cargo drones is 880629 (Unmanned aircraft; for remote-controlled flight only, for other than for carriage of passengers, with the maximum take-off weight of more than 150kg). Cargo drones with a maximum take-off weight exceeding 150 kg are classified under HS code 8806.29.

How do I classify Cargo drones for customs?

Cargo drones is classified under HS code 880629 — Unmanned aircraft; for remote-controlled flight only, for other than for carriage of passengers, with the maximum take-off weight of more than 150kg. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

How is Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) calculated for drone classification?

MTOW is the maximum weight at which the drone is capable of taking off, as specified by the manufacturer. This includes the weight of the drone's structure, batteries or fuel, and the maximum cargo payload it is designed to carry.

Which countries are the top exporters of cargo drones (HS 880629)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 880629 (the code used for cargo drones) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($286M, 41% of world exports), Israel ($133M) and the Netherlands ($131M). World exports came to about $702M, 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 cargo drones (HS 880629)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 880629 (the code used for cargo drones) in UN Comtrade data were Ukraine (about $173M, 31% of world imports), Croatia ($71M) and the United Kingdom ($55M). World imports came to about $556M, 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.

Is the HS code for Cargo drones the same in all countries?

The base HS code 880629 for Cargo drones 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 cargo drones in Brazil?

In Brazil, cargo drones (HS 880629) is classified under NCM 8806.29.00.