Product classification
HS code for Industrial drones: 8806.29
Unmanned aircraft, for remote-controlled flight only, for other than for carriage of passengers, with the maximum take-off weight of more than 150kg.
Classification of industrial drones under HS 8806.29
Industrial drones with a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) exceeding 150 kilograms are classified under HS code 8806.29. This classification was established in the 2022 updates to the Harmonized System to provide a dedicated heading (8806) for unmanned aircraft. Prior to this, drones were often classified as cameras or toys. Under the current nomenclature, drones are classified primarily by their weight and their intended use (carriage of passengers vs. remote control). Sub-heading 8806.29 covers "other" unmanned aircraft for remote-controlled flight that are not designed for carrying passengers and fall into the highest weight bracket. These are typically heavy-duty industrial machines used for large-scale agricultural spraying, heavy cargo transport in remote areas, or sophisticated geological surveying. The MTOW is the critical metric, defined as the weight of the aircraft at take-off, including fuel, batteries, and the maximum permissible payload.
- Covers
- Heavy-lift agricultural spraying drones (>150kg MTOW)
- Unmanned cargo delivery aircraft for industrial logistics
- Large-scale aerial mapping UAVs with heavy sensor suites
- Industrial inspection drones for offshore oil rigs (>150kg)
- Remote-controlled aircraft for high-altitude telecommunications relay
- Also under 8806.29
- Kaman K-MAX (unmanned variant)
- Boeing MQ-25 Stingray (remote-controlled aspects)
- General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper (remote-controlled)
- Aevum Ravn X (launch platform)
- Elbit Hermes 900 (remote-controlled)
Codes often confused with 8806.29
Common mistake. The most common misclassification involves drones of lower weights. Drones between 25kg and 150kg fall under 8806.24, while those between 7kg and 25kg fall under 8806.23. Another error is attempting to classify industrial drones as cameras under 8525.89; while they may carry cameras, the 2022 HS rules dictate that the aircraft itself takes precedence under 8806. Additionally, drones designed for recreational use (toys) are sometimes incorrectly placed here but should be evaluated against heading 9503 if they meet the criteria for toys.
Top exporters and importers of HS 880629 (the code used for industrial drones), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 880629 (the code used for industrial drones) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 41% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Ukraine, with about 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 880629, not only industrial drones.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $286M 41% of world exports
- 2 Israel $133M 19% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $131M 19% of world exports
World total: $702M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Ukraine* ~$173M 31% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Croatia $71M 13% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $55M 9.8% of world imports
World total: $556M 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. 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 industrial drones
Brazil classifies industrial drones under NCM 8806.29.00: HS 8806.29 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about industrial drones
What is the HS code for Industrial drones?
The HS code for Industrial drones is 880629 (Unmanned aircraft; for remote-controlled flight only, for other than for carriage of passengers, with the maximum take-off weight of more than 150kg). For industrial drones with a maximum take-off weight over 150kg, the HS code is 8806.29.
How do I classify Industrial drones for customs?
Industrial drones is classified under HS code 880629 — Unmanned aircraft; for remote-controlled flight only, for other than for carriage of passengers, with the maximum take-off weight of more than 150kg. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
How is the weight calculated for this HS code?
The weight is the Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW), which includes the drone, its power source, and its maximum rated payload.
Which countries are the top exporters of industrial drones (HS 880629)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 880629 (the code used for industrial drones) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($286M, 41% of world exports), Israel ($133M) and the Netherlands ($131M). World exports came to about $702M, 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 industrial drones (HS 880629)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 880629 (the code used for industrial drones) in UN Comtrade data were Ukraine (about $173M, 31% of world imports), Croatia ($71M) and the United Kingdom ($55M). World imports came to about $556M, 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 Industrial drones the same in all countries?
The base HS code 880629 for Industrial 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 industrial drones in Brazil?
In Brazil, industrial drones (HS 880629) is classified under NCM 8806.29.00.