Product classification
HS code for Gondola cars: 8606.92
Railway or tramway goods vans and wagons, open, with non-removable sides of a height exceeding 60cm, not self-propelled.
Classification of gondola cars under HS 8606.92
Gondola cars are classified under HS code 8606.92 because they are non-self-propelled railway goods wagons designed for the transport of bulk materials in an open-top configuration. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), products are classified based on their physical characteristics and intended use. Heading 8606 encompasses various types of freight cars used on railway or tramway networks. Subheading 8606.92 specifically identifies open wagons with non-removable sides that exceed 60 cm in height. This distinction is critical because it separates gondolas from flat cars, which have no sides or very low sides, and covered wagons, which protect cargo from the elements. The classification depends on the structural integrity of the sides and the lack of a permanent roof, which facilitates the loading of heavy bulk commodities like coal, ore, or scrap metal using overhead equipment. The height requirement of 60 cm is a technical threshold defined by the Harmonized System to ensure uniform classification across international borders.
- Covers
- High-side gondola cars for coal transport
- Rotary gondolas for automated unloading
- Mill gondolas for steel products
- Track maintenance gondolas with fixed sides
- Open-top mineral wagons exceeding 60cm side height
- Also under 8606.92
- Union Pacific gondola cars
- CRRC open-top wagons
- FreightCar America open hoppers
- DB Cargo open wagons
- Tatravagónka open wagons
Codes often confused with 8606.92
Common mistake. Gondola cars are frequently confused with HS code 8606.91, which covers covered or closed wagons. If a gondola is fitted with a permanent or removable roof, it may shift to 8606.91. Another common error is using 8606.30, which is reserved for self-discharging wagons (hoppers) that utilize gravity for unloading through bottom or side doors. Standard gondolas require external machinery for unloading and thus must remain in 8606.92.
Top exporters and importers of HS 860692 (the code used for gondola cars), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 860692 (the code used for gondola cars) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 35% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Guinea, with about 27% 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 860692, not only gondola cars.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $197M 35% of world exports
- 2 Romania $148M 26% of world exports
- 3 Russia* ~$100M 18% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $561M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Guinea* ~$95M 27% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Kazakhstan $91M 26% of world imports
- 3 Australia $59M 17% of world imports
World total: $351M 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 gondola cars
Brazil classifies gondola cars under NCM 8606.92.00: HS 8606.92 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about gondola cars
What is the HS code for Gondola cars?
The HS code for Gondola cars is 860692 (Railway or tramway goods vans and wagons; open, with non-removable sides of a height exceeding 60cm, not self-propelled). The specific HS code for gondola cars with non-removable sides exceeding 60 cm is 8606.92.
How do I classify Gondola cars for customs?
Gondola cars is classified under HS code 860692 — Railway or tramway goods vans and wagons; open, with non-removable sides of a height exceeding 60cm, not self-propelled. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the difference between a gondola and a hopper in HS classification?
A hopper is classified under 8606.30 as a self-discharging wagon, whereas a gondola (8606.92) is an open wagon that does not have the internal sloping floor or discharge gates required for self-unloading.
Which countries are the top exporters of gondola cars (HS 860692)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 860692 (the code used for gondola cars) in UN Comtrade data were China ($197M, 35% of world exports), Romania ($148M) and Russia (about $100M). World exports came to about $561M, 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 gondola cars (HS 860692)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 860692 (the code used for gondola cars) in UN Comtrade data were Guinea (about $95M, 27% of world imports), Kazakhstan ($91M) and Australia ($59M). World imports came to about $351M, 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 Gondola cars the same in all countries?
The base HS code 860692 for Gondola cars 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 gondola cars in Brazil?
In Brazil, gondola cars (HS 860692) is classified under NCM 8606.92.00.