Product classification
HS code for Helicopters: 8802.12
Helicopters, except unmanned, of an unladen weight exceeding 2000kg.
Classification of helicopters under HS 8802.12
Helicopters with an unladen weight exceeding 2,000 kg are classified under HS code 8802.12. This classification is part of Chapter 88, which encompasses aircraft and spacecraft. The primary distinction for helicopters is made based on their weight, which significantly impacts their regulatory and economic treatment in international trade. The term "unladen weight" refers to the weight of the aircraft in normal flying order, excluding the weight of the crew, fuel, and equipment other than permanently fixed equipment. This specific code is reserved for manned helicopters; unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones are classified elsewhere. The 2,000 kg threshold separates medium and heavy-lift helicopters from lighter models, reflecting differences in their operational capabilities and manufacturing complexity. Accurate weight documentation is mandatory for this classification, as it determines the specific subheading within heading 8802. This code is used for both civil and military helicopters, provided they are not specifically modified for combat use, which might trigger different export controls.
- Covers
- Medium-lift transport helicopters (> 2000kg)
- Heavy-lift cargo helicopters
- Large civil emergency medical service (EMS) helicopters
- Manned rotary-wing aircraft for offshore oil rig transport
- Large executive or corporate helicopters exceeding the weight limit
- Also under 8802.12
- Sikorsky S-76
- Bell 412
- Airbus H145
- Leonardo AW139
- Boeing CH-47 Chinook
Codes often confused with 8802.12
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification is with HS code 8802.11, which is for helicopters with an unladen weight of 2,000 kg or less. Importers must be careful with the definition of "unladen weight" to ensure they don't include fuel or payload. Another major change in the 2022 HS nomenclature moved unmanned helicopters (drones) to heading 8806. Previously, some might have attempted to classify them here. Finally, fixed-wing aircraft are classified under 8802.20 through 8802.40, depending on their weight.
Top exporters and importers of HS 880212 (the code used for helicopters), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 880212 (the code used for helicopters) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Australia, with 11% 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 880212, not only helicopters.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $1.4B 30% of world exports
- 2 France $700M 15% of world exports
- 3 United States $692M 15% 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: $4.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Australia $590M 11% of world imports
- 2 Spain $508M 9.3% of world imports
- 3 United States $469M 8.6% of world imports
World total: $5.5B 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 helicopters
Brazil splits HS 8802.12 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8802.12.10Helicopters over 2,000 kg up to 3,500 kg unladen
- 8802.12.90Helicopters over 3,500 kg unladen weight
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about helicopters
What is the HS code for Helicopters?
The HS code for Helicopters is 880212 (Helicopters, except unmanned; of an unladen weight exceeding 2000kg).
How do I classify Helicopters for customs?
Helicopters is classified under HS code 880212 — Helicopters, except unmanned; of an unladen weight exceeding 2000kg. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for large helicopters?
Manned helicopters with an unladen weight exceeding 2,000 kg are classified under HS code 8802.12.
Does the weight include the pilot and fuel?
No, the HS classification is based on "unladen weight," which excludes the weight of the crew, fuel, and removable equipment.
Which countries are the top exporters of helicopters (HS 880212)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 880212 (the code used for helicopters) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($1.4B, 30% of world exports), France ($700M) and the United States ($692M). World exports came to about $4.6B, 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 helicopters (HS 880212)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 880212 (the code used for helicopters) in UN Comtrade data were Australia ($590M, 11% of world imports), Spain ($508M) and the United States ($469M). World imports came to about $5.5B, 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.
Is the HS code for Helicopters the same in all countries?
The base HS code 880212 for Helicopters 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 helicopters in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 880212 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for helicopters depends on the product's details: 8802.12.10 (Helicopters over 2,000 kg up to 3,500 kg unladen), 8802.12.90 (Helicopters over 3,500 kg unladen weight).