Product classification
HS code for Economy car: 8703.21
Vehicles, with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity not over 1000cc.
Classification of economy car under HS 8703.21
Economy cars, characterized by their small engine displacement, are classified under HS code 8703.21. Heading 8703 covers motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, excluding those of heading 8702 (buses). The subheading 8703.21 specifically identifies vehicles equipped with a spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine with a cylinder capacity not exceeding 1,000cc. This classification is determined by the technical specifications of the engine rather than the vehicle's luxury level or market price. The Harmonized System uses engine displacement as a primary differentiator for passenger vehicles to facilitate taxation and regulatory oversight. Whether the vehicle is a hatchback, sedan, or micro-car, the 1,000cc threshold is the definitive factor for this specific code. This ensures a uniform global standard for identifying small-engine petrol vehicles in international trade.
- Covers
- Microcars with engines under 1000cc
- City cars and small hatchbacks
- Kei cars (Japanese category)
- Small passenger vans with <1000cc engines
- Also under 8703.21
- Suzuki Alto
- Renault Kwid
- Hyundai i10 (1.0L)
- Kia Picanto (1.0L)
- Toyota Aygo (1.0L)
- Dacia Sandero (1.0L)
Codes often confused with 8703.21
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 8703.22, which is for engines between 1,000cc and 1,500cc. Importers often fail to verify the exact cubic centimeter displacement. Furthermore, hybrid vehicles are often incorrectly placed here; they should be classified under 8703.40 (non-plug-in) or 8703.60 (plug-in), regardless of their engine size, as the presence of an electric motor changes the classification criteria.
Top exporters and importers of HS 870321 (the code used for economy car), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 870321 (the code used for economy car) in UN Comtrade data was Spain, with 15% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 16% 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 870321, not only economy car.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Spain $6.6B 15% of world exports
- 2 Czechia $6.1B 14% of world exports
- 3 Türkiye $3.1B 7.3% of world exports
World total: $43.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Saudi Arabia $9.1B 16% of world imports
- 2 Germany $6.9B 12% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $4.7B 8.4% of world imports
World total: $55.4B 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 economy car
Brazil classifies economy car under NCM 8703.21.00: HS 8703.21 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about economy car
What is the HS code for Economy car?
The HS code for Economy car is 870321 (Vehicles; with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity not over 1000cc). The HS code for an economy car with a spark-ignition engine not exceeding 1,000cc is 8703.21.
How do I classify Economy car for customs?
Economy car is classified under HS code 870321 — Vehicles; with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity not over 1000cc. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does 8703.21 include diesel cars?
No, diesel cars (compression-ignition) are classified under subheading 8703.31 if the engine is 1,500cc or less.
Which countries are the top exporters of economy car (HS 870321)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 870321 (the code used for economy car) in UN Comtrade data were Spain ($6.6B, 15% of world exports), Czechia ($6.1B) and Türkiye ($3.1B). World exports came to about $43.0B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of economy car (HS 870321)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 870321 (the code used for economy car) in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($9.1B, 16% of world imports), Germany ($6.9B) and the United Kingdom ($4.7B). World imports came to about $55.4B, 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 Economy car the same in all countries?
The base HS code 870321 for Economy car 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 economy car in Brazil?
In Brazil, economy car (HS 870321) is classified under NCM 8703.21.00.