Product classification
HS code for Drilling rig: 8705.20
Vehicles, mobile drilling derricks.
Classification of drilling rig under HS 8705.20
HS code 8705.20 is applied to mobile drilling derricks, which are classified as special purpose motor vehicles. Unlike standard trucks designed for the transport of goods or persons, vehicles under heading 8705 are constructed or adapted with devices that allow them to perform certain non-transport functions. In the case of 8705.20, the vehicle chassis is integrated with a drilling rig or derrick. This classification is used when the drilling equipment is permanently mounted on a motor vehicle chassis, making the unit a single, mobile piece of machinery capable of traveling on public roads. The General Rules of Interpretation require that if a machine consists of a vehicle chassis and a functional unit like a drill, it is classified in 8705 if the vehicle part is a true motor vehicle chassis with an engine, steering, and braking systems. If the unit is merely a self-propelled machine that does not have the characteristics of a motor vehicle (such as those used in construction sites that cannot travel on public roads at speed), it might be classified under 8430. The distinction is crucial for regulatory compliance, as vehicles in 8705 are subject to different safety and environmental standards than stationary or off-road machinery. This code covers rigs used for water well drilling, geological exploration, and certain oil and gas applications where mobility between sites is required. The value of the vehicle and the drilling apparatus are combined under this single tariff line.
- Covers
- Truck-mounted water well drilling rigs
- Mobile oil derricks on vehicle chassis
- Vehicle-mounted core drills
- Mobile seismic drilling units
- Truck-mounted auger drills
- Also under 8705.20
- Atlas Copco SmartROC series
- Sandvik Ranger series
- Schramm T-series
- Foremost DR series
- Epiroc FlexiROC series
Codes often confused with 8705.20
Common mistake. The most frequent confusion is with HS code 8430.41, which covers self-propelled boring or sinking machinery. The difference is that 8430.41 refers to machines that move around a job site but are not built on a standard motor vehicle chassis. Another misclassification is 8704, for transport trucks; however, because the rig is the primary function and it is permanently attached, 8705.20 is the correct specialized code.
Top exporters and importers of HS 870520 (the code used for drilling rig), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 870520 (the code used for drilling rig) in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 25% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 15% 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 870520, not only drilling rig.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Canada $31M 25% of world exports
- 2 United States $23M 19% of world exports
- 3 Germany $21M 17% of world exports
World total: $126M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $28M 15% of world imports
- 2 Côte d'Ivoire $19M 10% of world imports
- 3 Algeria* ~$17M 8.8% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $188M 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 drilling rig
Brazil classifies drilling rig under NCM 8705.20.00: HS 8705.20 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about drilling rig
What is the HS code for Drilling rig?
The HS code for Drilling rig is 870520 (Vehicles; mobile drilling derricks). A mobile, truck-mounted drilling rig is classified under HS code 8705.20.
How do I classify Drilling rig for customs?
Drilling rig is classified under HS code 870520 — Vehicles; mobile drilling derricks. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this include offshore drilling platforms?
No, offshore drilling platforms are typically classified under 8905.20 as floating or submersible drilling or production platforms, as they are maritime structures rather than motor vehicles.
Which countries are the top exporters of drilling rig (HS 870520)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 870520 (the code used for drilling rig) in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($31M, 25% of world exports), the United States ($23M) and Germany ($21M). World exports came to about $126M, 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 drilling rig (HS 870520)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 870520 (the code used for drilling rig) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($28M, 15% of world imports), Côte d'Ivoire ($19M) and Algeria (about $17M). World imports came to about $188M, 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 Drilling rig the same in all countries?
The base HS code 870520 for Drilling rig 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 drilling rig in Brazil?
In Brazil, drilling rig (HS 870520) is classified under NCM 8705.20.00.