Product classification
HS code for Electric bus: 8702.40
Vehicles, public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only electric motor for propulsion, new or used.
Classification of electric bus under HS 8702.40
Electric buses are classified under HS code 8702.40. This classification is part of Chapter 87, which covers vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling-stock. Heading 8702 is specifically for motor vehicles designed for the transport of ten or more persons, including the driver. The subheading 8702.40 was introduced to specifically address the growing market for zero-emission public transport, covering vehicles that rely solely on an electric motor for propulsion. To be classified here, the vehicle must be a "public transport type" vehicle. This means it must have a seating capacity of at least ten people. The propulsion system must be entirely electric, typically powered by on-board batteries or overhead lines (trolleybuses). The classification is determined by the combination of the passenger capacity and the exclusive use of electric motors, distinguishing them from internal combustion engine buses and hybrid models.
- Covers
- Battery electric city buses
- Electric shuttle buses (10+ seats)
- Electric motor coaches
- Purely electric trolleybuses
- Electric school buses
- Also under 8702.40
- BYD K9
- Proterra Catalyst
- VDL Citea Electric
- Yutong E12
- Solaris Urbino 12 Electric
Codes often confused with 8702.40
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is with HS code 8703.80, which covers electric cars. The distinction is strictly based on passenger capacity; vehicles carrying fewer than ten people fall under 8703. Another frequent error involves hybrid buses, which are classified under 8702.20 (diesel-electric hybrids) or 8702.30 (petrol-electric hybrids). If the bus has any form of internal combustion engine used for propulsion or as a range extender, it cannot be classified under 8702.40. Additionally, electric trucks or vans designed for freight rather than passengers are classified under 8704.90.
Top exporters and importers of HS 870240 (the code used for electric bus), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 870240 (the code used for electric bus) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 44% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 11% 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 870240, not only electric bus.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $3.3B 44% of world exports
- 2 Poland $1.3B 18% of world exports
- 3 Germany $402M 5.4% of world exports
World total: $7.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Italy $726M 11% of world imports
- 2 Germany $590M 9.2% of world imports
- 3 Chile $413M 6.4% of world imports
World total: $6.4B 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 codes for electric bus
Brazil splits HS 8702.40 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8702.40.10Trolleybuses
- 8702.40.90Electric buses, excluding trolleybuses
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about electric bus
What is the HS code for Electric bus?
The HS code for Electric bus is 870240 (Vehicles; public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only electric motor for propulsion, new or used). The HS code for a motor vehicle for the transport of 10 or more persons with only an electric motor for propulsion is 8702.40.
How do I classify Electric bus for customs?
Electric bus is classified under HS code 870240 — Vehicles; public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), with only electric motor for propulsion, new or used. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include hybrid buses?
No, hybrid buses that use both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine are classified under 8702.20 or 8702.30 depending on the engine type.
Which countries are the top exporters of electric bus (HS 870240)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 870240 (the code used for electric bus) in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.3B, 44% of world exports), Poland ($1.3B) and Germany ($402M). World exports came to about $7.5B, 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 electric bus (HS 870240)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 870240 (the code used for electric bus) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($726M, 11% of world imports), Germany ($590M) and Chile ($413M). World imports came to about $6.4B, 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 Electric bus the same in all countries?
The base HS code 870240 for Electric bus 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 electric bus in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 870240 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for electric bus depends on the product's details: 8702.40.10 (Trolleybuses), 8702.40.90 (Electric buses, excluding trolleybuses).