Product classification

HS code for Commercial drones: 8806.23

Unmanned aircraft, for remote-controlled flight only, for other than for carriage of passengers, with the maximum take-off weight of more than 7kg but not more than 25kg.

Classification of commercial drones under HS 8806.23

Commercial drones are classified under HS code 8806.23, a category specifically created for unmanned aircraft designed for remote-controlled flight with a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of more than 7 kg but not more than 25 kg. This classification was introduced in the 2022 HS update to provide more granularity for the rapidly growing drone market. The classification is based entirely on the weight and the fact that the aircraft is 'unmanned' (not designed to carry a pilot or passengers). Drones in this weight class are typically used for professional and commercial applications, such as agricultural spraying, industrial inspections, or high-end aerial cinematography. The 'remote-controlled' designation implies that the aircraft is operated by a pilot from the ground, though it may have autonomous flight capabilities. By placing these in 8806.23, customs authorities can better track the movement of industrial-grade drones which may be subject to different regulations than smaller consumer toys or larger military-grade unmanned aircraft.

Covers
  • Professional cinematography drones (7-25kg)
  • Agricultural crop-spraying drones
  • Industrial inspection UAVs
  • Medium-sized delivery drones
  • Search and rescue unmanned aircraft
Also under 8806.23
  • DJI Matrice 300 RTK
  • Autel EVO II Enterprise
  • Skydio X2
  • WingtraOne
  • senseFly eBee X
  • Parrot Anafi Ai (some variants)

Codes often confused with 8806.23

Common mistake. Commercial drones are frequently misclassified under 8806.22 (drones between 250g and 7kg) or 8806.24 (drones between 25kg and 150kg). Accurate weighing of the aircraft, including its maximum payload and battery, is essential for correct classification. They are also sometimes incorrectly placed in 9503.00 as 'toys'; however, any drone with a weight exceeding 250g or possessing professional-grade sensors and flight controllers is generally excluded from the toy category and must be classified under 8806.

8806.22Unmanned aircraft; for remote-controlled flight only, for other than for carriage of passengers, with the maximum take-off weight of more than 250g but not more than 7kg8806.24Unmanned 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 150kg9503.00Tricycles, 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 kinds88.06Unmanned aircraft

Top exporters and importers of HS 880623 (the code used for commercial drones), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 880623 (the code used for commercial drones) in UN Comtrade data was Poland, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Ukraine, with about 50% of world imports. The United States reports $152.8B of its chapter 88 exports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.

Figures cover everything classified under HS 880623, not only commercial drones.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Poland $91M
  2. 2 China $76M
  3. 3 United States $70M

The United States reports $152.8B of its chapter 88 exports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.

World total: $454M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Ukraine* ~$207M
  2. 2 Hong Kong $29M
  3. 3 United Kingdom $26M

World total: $413M 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 commercial drones

Brazil classifies commercial drones under NCM 8806.23.00: HS 8806.23 with 00 added.

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

Questions about commercial drones

What is the HS code for Commercial drones?

The HS code for Commercial drones is 880623 (Unmanned aircraft; for remote-controlled flight only, for other than for carriage of passengers, with the maximum take-off weight of more than 7kg but not more than 25kg). The HS code for commercial drones with a maximum take-off weight between 7 kg and 25 kg is 8806.23.

How do I classify Commercial drones for customs?

Commercial drones is classified under HS code 880623 — Unmanned aircraft; for remote-controlled flight only, for other than for carriage of passengers, with the maximum take-off weight of more than 7kg but not more than 25kg. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does the weight include the camera?

Yes, the Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) includes the weight of the drone, the battery, and the maximum payload (such as a camera or sensor) it is capable of carrying.

Which countries are the top exporters of commercial drones (HS 880623)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 880623 (the code used for commercial drones) in UN Comtrade data were Poland ($91M, 20% of world exports), China ($76M) and the United States ($70M). World exports came to about $454M, 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 its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.

Which countries are the top importers of commercial drones (HS 880623)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 880623 (the code used for commercial drones) in UN Comtrade data were Ukraine (about $207M, 50% of world imports), Hong Kong ($29M) and the United Kingdom ($26M). World imports came to about $413M, 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 Commercial drones the same in all countries?

The base HS code 880623 for Commercial 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 commercial drones in Brazil?

In Brazil, commercial drones (HS 880623) is classified under NCM 8806.23.00.