Product classification
HS code for Container ship: 8901.90
Vessels, n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods.
Classification of container ship under HS 8901.90
Container ships are classified under HS code 8901.90. Heading 8901 covers vessels for the transport of persons or goods, including cruise ships, ferry-boats, and cargo ships. Within this heading, the nomenclature distinguishes between vessels for persons (8901.10), tankers (8901.20), and refrigerated vessels (8901.30). Container ships, which are designed to carry standardized cargo units but do not fall into the specific categories of tankers or reefers, are classified under the residual subheading 8901.90, which covers 'other vessels for the transport of goods.' The classification is determined by the vessel's structural design, which typically includes cell guides in the holds to secure containers. This classification remains applicable whether the vessel is a massive ultra-large container vessel (ULCV) or a smaller feeder ship, as long as its primary purpose is the commercial transport of goods in containers across maritime routes.
- Covers
- Fully cellular container ships
- Feeder vessels for container transport
- Panamax and Post-Panamax container ships
- Multi-purpose vessels primarily configured for containers
- Self-sustaining container ships with onboard cranes
- Ultra-large container vessels (ULCV)
- Also under 8901.90
- Maersk Triple E-class container ship
- Cosco Shipping's bulk carriers
- Grimaldi Lines' Ro-Ro vessels
- Spliethoff's heavy-lift ships
- Wallenius Wilhelmsen's car carriers
Codes often confused with 8901.90
Common mistake. Container ships are sometimes confused with HS code 8905, which covers light-vessels, fire-floats, and floating cranes. However, 8905 is reserved for vessels where the navigational function is subsidiary to the main function (like lifting or pumping). Since a container ship's primary function is transport, 8901 is the only appropriate heading. Another error involves HS code 8906, which covers 'other vessels' including warships and lifeboats; this is a residual category that should only be used if the vessel does not fit the transport descriptions in 8901.
Top exporters and importers of HS 890190 (the code used for container ship), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 890190 (the code used for container ship) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 53% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Marshall Islands, with about 19% 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 890190, not only container ship.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $34.5B 53% of world exports
- 2 South Korea $12.5B 19% of world exports
- 3 Japan $8.1B 12% of world exports
World total: $65.2B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Marshall Islands* ~$4.3B 19% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Denmark $2.8B 12% of world imports
- 3 France $2.5B 11% of world imports
World total: $22.6B 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 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 container ship
Brazil classifies container ship under NCM 8901.90.00: HS 8901.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about container ship
What is the HS code for Container ship?
The HS code for Container ship is 890190 (Vessels; n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods). The HS code for a container ship used for the transport of goods is 8901.90.
How do I classify Container ship for customs?
Container ship is classified under HS code 890190 — Vessels; n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are refrigerated container ships classified differently?
If the entire vessel is designed specifically as a refrigerated cargo ship, it may fall under 8901.30; however, standard container ships carrying 'reefer' containers remain under 8901.90.
Which countries are the top exporters of container ship (HS 890190)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 890190 (the code used for container ship) in UN Comtrade data were China ($34.5B, 53% of world exports), South Korea ($12.5B) and Japan ($8.1B). World exports came to about $65.2B, 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 container ship (HS 890190)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 890190 (the code used for container ship) in UN Comtrade data were the Marshall Islands (about $4.3B, 19% of world imports), Denmark ($2.8B) and France ($2.5B). World imports came to about $22.6B, 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.
Is the HS code for Container ship the same in all countries?
The base HS code 890190 for Container ship 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 container ship in Brazil?
In Brazil, container ship (HS 890190) is classified under NCM 8901.90.00.