Product classification
HS code for Fire apparatus: 8705.30
Vehicles, fire fighting vehicles.
Classification of fire apparatus under HS 8705.30
Fire apparatus are classified under HS code 8705.30 because they are defined as special purpose motor vehicles. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) and the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System, heading 8705 covers vehicles that are not primarily designed for the transport of persons or goods, but rather to perform a specific technical function. For fire fighting vehicles, the primary function is the delivery of specialized equipment and suppression agents to the site of an emergency. These vehicles are characterized by the permanent mounting of equipment such as high-pressure pumps, water or foam tanks, telescopic ladders, or hydraulic platforms. Even though they carry a crew, the presence of the fire-fighting machinery is the essential character of the vehicle. The classification remains consistent regardless of whether the vehicle is intended for municipal fire departments, airport crash rescue, or industrial fire brigades, provided the vehicle is a motorized unit specifically constructed or adapted for fire-fighting purposes.
- Covers
- Fire engines equipped with pumps and hoses
- Aerial ladder trucks and turntable ladders
- Airport crash tenders and rapid intervention vehicles
- Firefighting tankers with integrated pumping systems
- Forest fire fighting vehicles with off-road capabilities
- Also under 8705.30
- Rosenbauer Panther
- E-ONE Cyclone
- Pierce Enforcer
- Spartan ERV Metro Star
- KME Predator
Codes often confused with 8705.30
Common mistake. Fire apparatus are frequently misclassified under 8704.22 or 8704.23, which cover motor vehicles for the transport of goods. This occurs when the vehicle is viewed as a truck carrying water; however, because the water is used for a specific service (firefighting) rather than commercial transport, 8705.30 is the correct code. Additionally, trailer-mounted fire pumps without a motor vehicle chassis are classified under 8413.70, not 8705.30, as they lack the self-propulsion required for Chapter 87.
Top exporters and importers of HS 870530 (the code used for fire apparatus), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 870530 (the code used for fire apparatus) in UN Comtrade data was Austria, with 22% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Canada, 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 870530, not only fire apparatus.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Austria $346M 22% of world exports
- 2 United States $226M 14% of world exports
- 3 Germany $144M 9.2% of world exports
World total: $1.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Canada $170M 11% of world imports
- 2 Germany $87M 5.5% of world imports
- 3 Saudi Arabia $75M 4.7% of world imports
World total: $1.6B 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 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 fire apparatus
Brazil classifies fire apparatus under NCM 8705.30.00: HS 8705.30 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about fire apparatus
What is the HS code for Fire apparatus?
The HS code for Fire apparatus is 870530 (Vehicles; fire fighting vehicles). The primary HS code for fire apparatus, specifically fire fighting vehicles, is 8705.30.
How do I classify Fire apparatus for customs?
Fire apparatus is classified under HS code 870530 — Vehicles; fire fighting vehicles. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include fire-fighting aircraft or boats?
No, fire-fighting aircraft are classified under heading 8802, and fire-floats (boats) are classified under heading 8905, as the classification follows the mode of transport.
Which countries are the top exporters of fire apparatus (HS 870530)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 870530 (the code used for fire apparatus) in UN Comtrade data were Austria ($346M, 22% of world exports), the United States ($226M) and Germany ($144M). World exports came to about $1.6B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of fire apparatus (HS 870530)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 870530 (the code used for fire apparatus) in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($170M, 11% of world imports), Germany ($87M) and Saudi Arabia ($75M). World imports came to about $1.6B, 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 Fire apparatus the same in all countries?
The base HS code 870530 for Fire apparatus 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 fire apparatus in Brazil?
In Brazil, fire apparatus (HS 870530) is classified under NCM 8705.30.00.