Product classification
HS code for Drop towers: 9508.29
Amusement park rides and water park amusements, other than roller coasters, carousels, swings, roundabouts, dodge'em cars, motion simulators and moving theatres, water rides and water park amusements.
Classification of drop towers under HS 9508.29
Drop towers, which are popular amusement park rides that lift passengers to a great height and then release them for a free-fall experience, are classified under HS code 9508.29. This heading covers "Amusement park rides and water park amusements." The 2022 HS update significantly expanded heading 9508 to provide more granularity. Subheading 9508.29 is a residual category for rides that are not specifically named in other subheadings. Since drop towers are not roller coasters (9508.21), carousels/swings (9508.22), or motion simulators (9508.24), they fall into the "other" category of 9508.29. The classification is based on the intended use of the equipment for public entertainment in a permanent or semi-permanent installation. The structure includes the tower itself, the passenger gondola, the braking system, and the winch or hydraulic mechanisms. Even though these are massive steel structures, they are classified as amusement equipment because their primary function is entertainment, following the specific provisions of Chapter 95.
- Covers
- Free-fall drop tower rides
- Pneumatic power-shot towers
- Rotating drop towers for amusement parks
- Combined lift and drop amusement rides
- Also under 9508.29
- Intamin Drop Towers
- Zamperla Disk'O
- Mondial Top Scan
- RMC Hybrid Coasters (if not fitting 950821)
- Huss Park Attractions Giant Frisbee
Codes often confused with 9508.29
Common mistake. Drop towers are frequently misclassified under HS code 7308.90, which covers structures of iron or steel. While the tower is made of steel, Note 1 to Chapter 95 and the specific heading 9508 take precedence for finished amusement rides. Another error is using 9508.21, which is strictly for roller coasters. Roller coasters involve a track system where the vehicle travels through a circuit, whereas a drop tower operates on a vertical axis. Importers might also confuse these with "fairground amusements" under 9508.10, but that code is reserved for traveling circuses and menageries, not permanent park installations.
Top exporters and importers of HS 950829 (the code used for drop towers), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 950829 (the code used for drop towers) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 23% 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 950829, not only drop towers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Italy $90M 23% of world exports
- 2 United States $66M 17% of world exports
- 3 Slovenia $28M 7.2% of world exports
World total: $383M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $71M 15% of world imports
- 2 Japan $55M 11% of world imports
- 3 Saudi Arabia $41M 8.4% of world imports
World total: $485M 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 code for drop towers
Brazil classifies drop towers under NCM 9508.29.00: HS 9508.29 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about drop towers
What is the HS code for Drop towers?
The HS code for Drop towers is 950829 (Amusement park rides and water park amusements; other than roller coasters, carousels, swings, roundabouts, dodge'em cars, motion simulators and moving theatres, water rides and water park amusements). The HS code for drop towers used in amusement parks is 9508.29.
How do I classify Drop towers for customs?
Drop towers is classified under HS code 950829 — Amusement park rides and water park amusements; other than roller coasters, carousels, swings, roundabouts, dodge'em cars, motion simulators and moving theatres, water rides and water park amusements. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are the individual seats classified separately?
If the seats are imported as part of the complete ride system or as dedicated replacement parts for the ride, they are typically classified under 9508.29 or 9508.40 (parts of amusement park rides).
Which countries are the top exporters of drop towers (HS 950829)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 950829 (the code used for drop towers) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($90M, 23% of world exports), the United States ($66M) and Slovenia ($28M). World exports came to about $383M, 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 drop towers (HS 950829)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 950829 (the code used for drop towers) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($71M, 15% of world imports), Japan ($55M) and Saudi Arabia ($41M). World imports came to about $485M, 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 Drop towers the same in all countries?
The base HS code 950829 for Drop towers 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 drop towers in Brazil?
In Brazil, drop towers (HS 950829) is classified under NCM 9508.29.00.