Product classification
HS code for Industrial truck: 8709.19
Vehicles, (not electrical), self-propelled, without handling equipment, used for short distance transport of goods in factories, airports and such, and tractors of the type used on railway station platforms.
Classification of industrial truck under HS 8709.19
Industrial trucks classified under HS code 8709.19 are defined as self-propelled vehicles used in factories, warehouses, dock areas, or airports for the short-distance transport of goods. This specific subheading is reserved for vehicles that are not powered by electricity—typically utilizing internal combustion engines—and are not equipped with lifting or handling equipment. The classification logic hinges on the vehicle's primary function: horizontal movement of loads without the integrated ability to stack or lift them. Unlike forklifts, these trucks feature a flat platform or a tractor hitch for towing. The absence of a mast, forks, or hydraulic lifting arms is the primary technical differentiator. These vehicles must be of a type used for internal transport rather than for use on public highways, which is why they fall under Chapter 87 but are distinguished from road-legal trucks or tractors. The construction is generally robust, designed for heavy-duty cycles in confined industrial spaces.
- Covers
- Internal combustion engine platform trucks
- Non-electric baggage carts for airport terminals
- Petrol or diesel-powered factory transporters
- Platform tractors used on railway station platforms
- Heavy-duty shop trailers with integrated non-electric propulsion
- Also under 8709.19
- Kalmar terminal tractors
- TLD conventional baggage tractors
- Clark industrial trucks (non-lifting)
- Taylor-Dunn burden carriers
- Linde industrial tractors
Codes often confused with 8709.19
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 8427, which covers forklifts and other work trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment. If a vehicle has any mechanism to raise a load, it must be moved to 8427. Additionally, 8709.11 is often confused with 8709.19; however, 8709.11 is strictly for electrical versions. Finally, road tractors for semi-trailers fall under 8701.20 and should not be confused with the small-scale industrial tractors found here.
Top exporters and importers of HS 870919 (the code used for industrial truck), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 870919 (the code used for industrial truck) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 26% 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 870919, not only industrial truck.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $241M 27% of world exports
- 2 United States $170M 19% of world exports
- 3 China $117M 13% of world exports
World total: $878M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $228M 26% of world imports
- 2 United Kingdom $106M 12% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $34M 3.9% of world imports
World total: $887M 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 industrial truck
Brazil classifies industrial truck under NCM 8709.19.00: HS 8709.19 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about industrial truck
What is the HS code for Industrial truck?
The HS code for Industrial truck is 870919 (Vehicles; (not electrical), self-propelled, without handling equipment, used for short distance transport of goods in factories, airports and such, and tractors of the type used on railway station platforms). The HS code for a non-electrical industrial truck without lifting equipment is 8709.19.
How do I classify Industrial truck for customs?
Industrial truck is classified under HS code 870919 — Vehicles; (not electrical), self-propelled, without handling equipment, used for short distance transport of goods in factories, airports and such, and tractors of the type used on railway station platforms. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include electric warehouse tugs?
No, electric-powered industrial trucks and tugs are classified under HS code 8709.11.
Which countries are the top exporters of industrial truck (HS 870919)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 870919 (the code used for industrial truck) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($241M, 27% of world exports), the United States ($170M) and China ($117M). World exports came to about $878M, 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 truck (HS 870919)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 870919 (the code used for industrial truck) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($228M, 26% of world imports), the United Kingdom ($106M) and the Netherlands ($34M). World imports came to about $887M, 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 truck the same in all countries?
The base HS code 870919 for Industrial truck 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 truck in Brazil?
In Brazil, industrial truck (HS 870919) is classified under NCM 8709.19.00.