Product classification
HS code for Large commercial drones: 8806.24
Unmanned aircraft, for remote-controlled flight only, for other than for carriage of passengers, with the maximum take-off weight of more than 25kg but not more than 150kg.
Classification of large commercial drones under HS 8806.24
Large commercial drones are classified under HS code 8806.24. This code was established in the 2022 Harmonized System nomenclature to address the rapid technological advancement of unmanned aircraft. Heading 8806 specifically covers unmanned aircraft (drones). The classification within this heading is structured based on the maximum take-off weight (MTOW) and whether the aircraft is designed for the carriage of passengers. Subheading 8806.24 is designated for unmanned aircraft that are remote-controlled, not designed for carrying passengers, and have an MTOW of more than 25 kilograms but not more than 150 kilograms. This weight-based distinction is critical for customs compliance, as it separates heavy-duty commercial, agricultural, or delivery drones from smaller consumer models or larger industrial aircraft. The classification follows GRI 1, which prioritizes the heading text, and GRI 6, which governs the comparison of subheadings at the same level. These drones are often used in logistics, agriculture, and high-end surveillance.
- Covers
- Agricultural spraying drones with MTOW between 25kg and 150kg
- Commercial cargo delivery drones within the specified weight range
- Industrial inspection drones for infrastructure monitoring
- Professional cinematography drones equipped with heavy camera rigs
- Search and rescue unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
- Also under 8806.24
- Volocopter VoloDrone (cargo)
- XAG P100 (agricultural)
- DJI Agras T40 (agricultural)
- Insitu ScanEagle (larger variants)
- Airobotics Optimus (industrial)
Codes often confused with 8806.24
Common mistake. Large commercial drones are often misclassified under HS code 8806.23, which is for drones weighing between 7kg and 25kg. Conversely, drones exceeding 150kg must be classified under 8806.29. Another common error involves HS code 9503.00, which covers toys. While small consumer drones might occasionally be argued as toys, any drone with a weight exceeding 25kg is strictly excluded from Chapter 95 due to its scale and functional capabilities. Furthermore, if a drone is designed to carry passengers, it must be classified under 8806.10, regardless of its weight. Proper weight documentation is essential for correct entry.
Top exporters and importers of HS 880624 (the code used for large commercial drones), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 880624 (the code used for large commercial drones) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 31% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Ukraine, with about 35% 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 880624, not only large commercial drones.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $152M 31% of world exports
- 2 Poland $97M 20% of world exports
- 3 United States $88M 18% 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: $490M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Ukraine* ~$173M 35% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Japan $66M 14% of world imports
- 3 Taiwan* ~$29M 5.9% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $488M 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 large commercial drones
Brazil classifies large commercial drones under NCM 8806.24.00: HS 8806.24 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about large commercial drones
What is the HS code for Large commercial drones?
The HS code for Large commercial drones is 880624 (Unmanned aircraft; for remote-controlled flight only, for other than for carriage of passengers, with the maximum take-off weight of more than 25kg but not more than 150kg). The HS code for large commercial drones with a maximum take-off weight between 25kg and 150kg is 8806.24.
How do I classify Large commercial drones for customs?
Large commercial drones is classified under HS code 880624 — Unmanned aircraft; for remote-controlled flight only, for other than for carriage of passengers, with the maximum take-off weight of more than 25kg but not more than 150kg. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are the cameras on these drones classified separately?
Generally, if the camera is integrated or imported as part of the drone system, the entire unit is classified under 8806.24. However, cameras imported separately may fall under 8525.89.
Which countries are the top exporters of large commercial drones (HS 880624)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 880624 (the code used for large commercial drones) in UN Comtrade data were China ($152M, 31% of world exports), Poland ($97M) and the United States ($88M). World exports came to about $490M, 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 large commercial drones (HS 880624)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 880624 (the code used for large commercial drones) in UN Comtrade data were Ukraine (about $173M, 35% of world imports), Japan ($66M) and Taiwan (about $29M). World imports came to about $488M, 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 Large commercial drones the same in all countries?
The base HS code 880624 for Large commercial 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 large commercial drones in Brazil?
In Brazil, large commercial drones (HS 880624) is classified under NCM 8806.24.00.