Product classification
HS code for Horses: 0101.29
Horses, live, other than pure-bred breeding animals.
Classification of horses under HS 0101.29
Live horses that are not intended for pure-bred breeding purposes are classified under HS code 0101.29. Chapter 1 of the Harmonized System covers all live animals, and heading 0101 is dedicated to horses, asses, mules, and hinnies. Within this heading, the system distinguishes between pure-bred breeding animals and "others." Code 0101.21 is reserved for animals that are officially certified as pure-bred for breeding by recognized authorities. Consequently, 0101.29 covers all other live horses, including those used for racing, riding, draft work, or those intended for the food industry. The classification is based on the biological species and the lack of breeding certification. Customs authorities require specific documentation, such as pedigrees or certificates of registration in a studbook, to justify classification under the pure-bred heading. In the absence of such proof, the animal must be classified under 0101.29. This code is further subdivided in many national tariffs based on the value or the specific use (e.g., horses for slaughter), but at the six-digit international level, 0101.29 is the standard.
- Covers
- Live riding horses
- Live racehorses (not for breeding)
- Live draft or work horses
- Live horses for slaughter
- Ponies (not pure-bred breeding)
- Also under 0101.29
- Local riding stable horses
- mounted police horses
- circus performance horses
- retired racehorses
- trail riding outfit horses
Codes often confused with 0101.29
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 0101.21, which is only for pure-bred breeding animals. Importers often assume high-value racehorses belong there, but unless they are imported specifically for breeding and have the paperwork, they belong in 0101.29. Another error is using 0205.00, which is for the meat of horses, not the live animal itself.
Top exporters and importers of HS 010129 (the code used for horses), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 010129 (the code used for horses) in UN Comtrade data was Hong Kong, with 44% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Hong Kong, with 42% 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 010129, not only horses.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Hong Kong $1.1B 44% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $407M 16% of world exports
- 3 Germany $263M 10% of world exports
World total: $2.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Hong Kong $1.3B 42% of world imports
- 2 United States $421M 14% of world imports
- 3 China $323M 11% of world imports
World total: $3.0B 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 horses
Brazil classifies horses under NCM 0101.29.00: HS 0101.29 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about horses
What is the HS code for Horses?
The HS code for Horses is 010129 (Horses; live, other than pure-bred breeding animals).
How do I classify Horses for customs?
Horses is classified under HS code 010129 — Horses; live, other than pure-bred breeding animals. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for a live horse?
A live horse that is not a certified pure-bred breeding animal is classified under HS code 0101.29.
How do I classify a horse used for racing?
Unless the racehorse is being imported specifically for breeding purposes with valid certification, it is classified under 0101.29.
Which countries are the top exporters of horses (HS 010129)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 010129 (the code used for horses) in UN Comtrade data were Hong Kong ($1.1B, 44% of world exports), the Netherlands ($407M) and Germany ($263M). World exports came to about $2.5B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of horses (HS 010129)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 010129 (the code used for horses) in UN Comtrade data were Hong Kong ($1.3B, 42% of world imports), the United States ($421M) and China ($323M). World imports came to about $3.0B, 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 Horses the same in all countries?
The base HS code 010129 for Horses 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 horses in Brazil?
In Brazil, horses (HS 010129) is classified under NCM 0101.29.00.