Product classification
HS code for Heavy-lift drones: 8806.24
Unmanned aircraft, for remote-controlled flight only, for other than for carriage of passengers, with the maximum take-off weight of more than 25kg but not more than 150kg.
Classification of heavy-lift drones under HS 8806.24
Heavy-lift drones are classified under HS code 8806.24, a category introduced in the 2022 Harmonized System update to better differentiate unmanned aircraft (UAVs) from traditional manned aviation and smaller consumer electronics. This code specifically covers unmanned aircraft designed for remote-controlled flight that are not intended for the carriage of passengers. The classification is strictly based on the Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW), which includes the weight of the aircraft itself plus its maximum payload, such as batteries, fuel, cameras, or cargo. For code 8806.24, the MTOW must be greater than 25 kilograms but not more than 150 kilograms. This weight range typically encompasses industrial-grade drones used for specialized tasks such as agricultural spraying, medium-range cargo delivery, or advanced cinematography using heavy camera rigs. The 2022 update moved these items from heading 8525 (if they had integrated cameras) or 8802 (general aircraft) into the dedicated 8806 heading to provide clearer statistical tracking of the growing UAV market. Proper documentation of the MTOW is essential for customs clearance, as drones weighing just under 25kg or just over 150kg fall into different subheadings with potentially different regulatory requirements regarding aviation safety and import permits. Furthermore, the classification under 8806.24 assumes the aircraft is powered. Gliders or kites, even if unmanned, would fall under different headings. Importers should be prepared to provide technical data sheets that explicitly state the MTOW as certified by the manufacturer.
- Covers
- Industrial multi-rotor drones for heavy payloads
- Unmanned agricultural crop dusters (25kg-150kg MTOW)
- Medium-capacity cargo delivery UAVs
- Heavy-duty surveillance drones with advanced sensor arrays
- Remote-controlled aircraft for scientific research
- Also under 8806.24
- Volocopter VoloDrone (cargo)
- XAG P100 (agricultural)
- DJI Agras T40 (agricultural)
- Insitu ScanEagle (larger variants)
- Airobotics Optimus (industrial)
Codes often confused with 8806.24
Common mistake. Common misclassifications include 8806.23, which is for drones with an MTOW between 7kg and 25kg, and 8806.29, which covers drones exceeding 150kg. Additionally, some importers mistakenly use 8525.89 for drones with cameras, but the 2022 HS rules mandate that the aircraft itself (8806) takes precedence over the camera function.
Top exporters and importers of HS 880624 (the code used for heavy-lift drones), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 880624 (the code used for heavy-lift drones) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 31% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Ukraine, with about 35% 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 880624, not only heavy-lift drones.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $152M 31% of world exports
- 2 Poland $97M 20% of world exports
- 3 United States $88M 18% 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: $490M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Ukraine* ~$173M 35% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Japan $66M 14% of world imports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$29M 5.9% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $488M 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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-lift drones
Brazil classifies heavy-lift drones under NCM 8806.24.00: HS 8806.24 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about heavy-lift drones
What is the HS code for Heavy-lift drones?
The HS code for Heavy-lift drones is 880624 (Unmanned aircraft; for remote-controlled flight only, for other than for carriage of passengers, with the maximum take-off weight of more than 25kg but not more than 150kg). The HS code for unmanned aircraft for remote-controlled flight with a maximum take-off weight between 25kg and 150kg is 8806.24.
How do I classify Heavy-lift drones for customs?
Heavy-lift drones is classified under HS code 880624 — Unmanned aircraft; for remote-controlled flight only, for other than for carriage of passengers, with the maximum take-off weight of more than 25kg but not more than 150kg. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Can this code be used for drones that carry people?
No, drones designed for the carriage of passengers are classified under HS code 8806.10, regardless of their weight or remote-control capabilities.
Which countries are the top exporters of heavy-lift drones (HS 880624)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 880624 (the code used for heavy-lift drones) in UN Comtrade data were China ($152M, 31% of world exports), Poland ($97M) and the United States ($88M). World exports came to about $490M, 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-lift drones (HS 880624)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 880624 (the code used for heavy-lift drones) in UN Comtrade data were Ukraine (about $173M, 35% of world imports), Japan ($66M) and Taiwan (about $29M). World imports came to about $488M, 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-lift drones the same in all countries?
The base HS code 880624 for Heavy-lift drones 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-lift drones in Brazil?
In Brazil, heavy-lift drones (HS 880624) is classified under NCM 8806.24.00.