Product classification
HS code for Hot water boilers: 8402.20
Boilers, super-heated water boilers.
Classification of hot water boilers under HS 8402.20
Hot water boilers, specifically those designed as super-heated water boilers, are classified under HS code 8402.20. This heading covers steam or other vapor generating boilers. While subheadings 8402.11 and 8402.12 cover steam-generating boilers based on their production capacity, 8402.20 is dedicated to super-heated water boilers. These are industrial-grade units designed to heat water to temperatures exceeding its normal boiling point (100°C) at atmospheric pressure without necessarily turning it into steam within the boiler itself. This is achieved by maintaining the system under high pressure. The classification is based on the mechanical function of the boiler in an industrial or power-generation context, distinguishing it from domestic heating appliances. The construction typically involves heavy-duty steel pressure vessels and specialized firing equipment.
- Covers
- Industrial super-heated water boilers
- High-pressure hot water (HPHW) generators
- District heating plant boilers
- Pressurized water boilers for industrial processing
- Marine super-heated water boilers
- Also under 8402.20
- Danstoker superheated water boilers
- LOOS (Bosch Industriekessel) hot water boilers
- Viessmann large hot water boilers
- Babcock Wanson thermal fluid heaters (water-based)
Codes often confused with 8402.20
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is with HS code 8403.10, which covers central heating boilers. The distinction lies in the application and design: 8403 is for domestic or commercial space heating, whereas 8402.20 is for industrial super-heated water. Another error involves HS code 8419.11 or 8419.19, which covers instantaneous or storage water heaters. Those units are not designed to withstand the high pressures required for super-heated water and lack the vapor-generating potential of heading 8402.
Top exporters and importers of HS 840220 (the code used for hot water boilers), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 840220 (the code used for hot water boilers) in UN Comtrade data was France, with 51% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Kazakhstan, with 31% 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 840220, not only hot water boilers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 France $143M 51% of world exports
- 2 Germany $40M 14% of world exports
- 3 Canada $17M 6.2% of world exports
World total: $277M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Kazakhstan $84M 31% of world imports
- 2 Germany $32M 12% of world imports
- 3 Indonesia $22M 8.4% of world imports
World total: $269M 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 hot water boilers
Brazil classifies hot water boilers under NCM 8402.20.00: HS 8402.20 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about hot water boilers
What is the HS code for Hot water boilers?
The HS code for Hot water boilers is 840220 (Boilers; super-heated water boilers). Industrial super-heated hot water boilers are classified under HS code 8402.20, while central heating boilers are under 8403.10.
How do I classify Hot water boilers for customs?
Hot water boilers is classified under HS code 840220 — Boilers; super-heated water boilers. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include electric water heaters?
No, electric instantaneous or storage water heaters are classified under HS code 8516.10.
Which countries are the top exporters of hot water boilers (HS 840220)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 840220 (the code used for hot water boilers) in UN Comtrade data were France ($143M, 51% of world exports), Germany ($40M) and Canada ($17M). World exports came to about $277M, 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 hot water boilers (HS 840220)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 840220 (the code used for hot water boilers) in UN Comtrade data were Kazakhstan ($84M, 31% of world imports), Germany ($32M) and Indonesia ($22M). World imports came to about $269M, 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 Hot water boilers the same in all countries?
The base HS code 840220 for Hot water boilers 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 hot water boilers in Brazil?
In Brazil, hot water boilers (HS 840220) is classified under NCM 8402.20.00.