Product classification
HS code for Cargo planes: 8802.40
Aeroplanes and other aircraft, except unmanned, of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg.
Classification of cargo planes under HS 8802.40
Cargo planes, or heavy transport aircraft, are classified under HS code 8802.40. This code applies to powered aircraft, such as airplanes, that are designed for the transport of goods or passengers and have an unladen weight exceeding 15,000 kg. The unladen weight refers to the weight of the aircraft in normal flying order, excluding the weight of the crew, fuel, and equipment other than fixed equipment. For large-scale logistics and international freight, these aircraft are the primary vehicles. Classification is based on the aircraft being "manned" (distinguishing it from the 8806 series for drones) and meeting the specific weight criteria of the 8802.40 subheading. This category includes most wide-body and long-haul freighter aircraft used by global logistics companies. The classification follows GIR 1, as the heading 8802 specifically describes aircraft, and the subheading is determined by the weight threshold.
- Covers
- Wide-body cargo jet aircraft
- Heavy-lift military transport planes (civilian use)
- Freighter aircraft with unladen weight > 15,000kg
- Converted passenger-to-freighter (P2F) aircraft
- Multi-engine cargo transport airplanes
- Also under 8802.40
- Boeing 737
- Airbus A320
- Boeing 787 Dreamliner
- Airbus A350
- Boeing 747 Freighter
- Lockheed C-130 Hercules (larger variants)
Codes often confused with 8802.40
Common mistake. Cargo planes are often confused with HS code 8802.30, which covers aircraft with an unladen weight between 2,000 kg and 15,000 kg. It is vital to distinguish between "unladen weight" and "maximum take-off weight" (MTOW), as the HS code for manned aircraft relies on the former. Another misclassification involves unmanned cargo aircraft (drones), which must be classified under heading 8806 regardless of weight. Finally, ground-effect machines or hovercraft are excluded from this heading and are classified under 8903 or 8705 depending on their design.
Top exporters and importers of HS 880240 (the code used for cargo planes), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 880240 (the code used for cargo planes) in UN Comtrade data was France, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Ireland, with 18% of world imports. The United States reports $152.8B of its chapter 88 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 880240, not only cargo planes.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 France $30.8B 35% of world exports
- 2 Germany $25.2B 29% of world exports
- 3 Canada $6.8B 7.8% of world exports
The United States reports $152.8B of its chapter 88 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $87.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Ireland $20.5B 18% of world imports
- 2 China $13.8B 12% of world imports
- 3 India $9.9B 8.9% of world imports
World total: $111.0B 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 codes for cargo planes
Brazil splits HS 8802.40 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8802.40.10Turboprop aeroplanes over 15 t unladen
- 8802.40.90Jets and other aircraft over 15 t unladen
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about cargo planes
What is the HS code for Cargo planes?
The HS code for Cargo planes is 880240 (Aeroplanes and other aircraft, except unmanned; of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg). The HS code for cargo planes (manned aircraft) with an unladen weight exceeding 15,000 kg is 8802.40.
How do I classify Cargo planes for customs?
Cargo planes is classified under HS code 880240 — Aeroplanes and other aircraft, except unmanned; of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What does 'unladen weight' mean in aircraft classification?
Unladen weight is the weight of the aircraft in normal flying order, including all fixed equipment (such as navigation aids and interior fittings) but excluding the weight of the crew, fuel, and any removable payload or cargo.
Which countries are the top exporters of cargo planes (HS 880240)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 880240 (the code used for cargo planes) in UN Comtrade data were France ($30.8B, 35% of world exports), Germany ($25.2B) and Canada ($6.8B). World exports came to about $87.0B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). The United States reports $152.8B of its chapter 88 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of cargo planes (HS 880240)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 880240 (the code used for cargo planes) in UN Comtrade data were Ireland ($20.5B, 18% of world imports), China ($13.8B) and India ($9.9B). World imports came to about $111.0B, 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 planes the same in all countries?
The base HS code 880240 for Cargo planes 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 planes in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 880240 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for cargo planes depends on the product's details: 8802.40.10 (Turboprop aeroplanes over 15 t unladen), 8802.40.90 (Jets and other aircraft over 15 t unladen).