Product classification
HS code for Heavy autonomous UAVs: 8806.99
Unmanned aircraft, for other than remote-controlled flight and other than for carriage of passengers with a maximum take-off weight more than 150kg.
Classification of heavy autonomous UAVs under HS 8806.99
Heavy autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) are classified under HS code 8806.99. This classification is governed by the General Rules for the Interpretation (GRI) of the Harmonized System, specifically focusing on the 2022 amendments that introduced heading 8806 to specifically address unmanned aircraft. The classification 8806.99 is applied to aircraft that are not designed for the carriage of passengers and, crucially, are not operated by remote control, indicating a high degree of autonomous flight capability. Furthermore, this specific subheading is reserved for units with a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) exceeding 150 kilograms. The determination involves assessing the aircraft's propulsion system, its onboard flight management systems for autonomous navigation, and its structural capacity to operate without a human pilot on board or at a remote station. These units are typically used for heavy-duty industrial applications, long-range logistics, or specialized surveillance where autonomous pathfinding is required.
- Covers
- Autonomous cargo delivery drones with MTOW > 150kg
- High-altitude long-endurance (HALE) autonomous UAVs
- Autonomous agricultural spraying drones exceeding 150kg
- Fixed-wing autonomous surveillance aircraft without remote links
- Also under 8806.99
- Airbus Zephyr S
- Boeing MQ-25 Stingray (autonomous aspects)
- General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian
- Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie
- Baykar Bayraktar Akฤฑncฤฑ
Codes often confused with 8806.99
Common mistake. Heavy autonomous UAVs are frequently misclassified under HS code 8806.24, which is intended for remote-controlled aircraft weighing more than 150kg. The distinction lies in the method of control; 8806.99 is for autonomous flight, while 8806.24 requires a remote pilot. They may also be confused with 8802.20, which covers manned airplanes of an unladen weight not exceeding 2,000kg, or 8806.94, which covers other UAVs with a weight exceeding 150kg but potentially differing in flight characteristics or specific regional interpretations of 'autonomous' vs 'other'.
Top exporters and importers of HS 880699 (the code used for heavy autonomous UAVs), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 880699 (the code used for heavy autonomous UAVs) in UN Comtrade data was Israel, with 46% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 51% of world imports. The United States reports $152.8B of its chapter 88 exports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 880699, not only heavy autonomous UAVs.
Top exporters 2025 ยท share of world exports
- 1 Israel $121M 46% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $87M 33% of world exports
- 3 United States $33M 13% of world exports
The United States reports $152.8B of its chapter 88 exports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.
World total: $263M Reported figures on UN Comtrade โ
Top importers 2025 ยท share of world imports
- 1 Australia $205M 51% of world imports
- 2 Ukraine* ~$71M 17% of world imports ยท partner records โ
- 3 Japan $55M 13% of world imports
World total: $406M Reported figures on UN Comtrade โ
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 heavy autonomous UAVs
Brazil classifies heavy autonomous UAVs under NCM 8806.99.00: HS 8806.99 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about heavy autonomous UAVs
What is the HS code for Heavy autonomous UAVs?
The HS code for Heavy autonomous UAVs is 880699 (Unmanned aircraft; for other than remote-controlled flight and other than for carriage of passengers with a maximum take-off weight more than 150kg). The HS code for heavy autonomous UAVs with a maximum take-off weight exceeding 150kg is 8806.99.
How do I classify Heavy autonomous UAVs for customs?
Heavy autonomous UAVs is classified under HS code 880699 โ Unmanned aircraft; for other than remote-controlled flight and other than for carriage of passengers with a maximum take-off weight more than 150kg. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include drones used for passenger transport?
No, drones designed for the carriage of passengers are classified under subheadings 8806.10, regardless of their weight or autonomous capabilities.
Which countries are the top exporters of heavy autonomous UAVs (HS 880699)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 880699 (the code used for heavy autonomous UAVs) in UN Comtrade data were Israel ($121M, 46% of world exports), the Netherlands ($87M) and the United States ($33M). World exports came to about $263M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). The United States reports $152.8B of its chapter 88 exports without product detail (confidential), so its figure here may be too low and it may rank higher.
Which countries are the top importers of heavy autonomous UAVs (HS 880699)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 880699 (the code used for heavy autonomous UAVs) in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($205M, 51% of world imports), Ukraine (about $71M) and Japan ($55M). World imports came to about $406M, 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 Heavy autonomous UAVs the same in all countries?
The base HS code 880699 for Heavy autonomous UAVs 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 heavy autonomous UAVs in Brazil?
In Brazil, heavy autonomous UAVs (HS 880699) is classified under NCM 8806.99.00.