Product classification
HS code for Large UAVs: 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 large UAVs under HS 8806.29
Large Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) exceeding 150kg, designed for remote-controlled flight only, are classified under HS code 8806.29. This classification was refined in the 2022 HS nomenclature update to provide more granular tracking of drone technology. Chapter 88 covers aircraft and spacecraft, and heading 8806 is dedicated to unmanned aircraft. The subheadings under 8806.2x are determined by the MTOW and the requirement that the aircraft is for remote-controlled flight only, meaning it does not possess the onboard logic for fully autonomous flight paths without a continuous pilot link. This weight class (over 150kg) typically includes industrial or military-grade drones used for heavy lifting, surveillance, or specialized transport where a human operator maintains direct control.
- Covers
- Remote-controlled cargo drones (>150kg MTOW)
- Large RC surveillance UAVs
- Heavy-lift industrial drones without autonomous systems
- Remote-piloted aircraft for agricultural spraying (>150kg)
- 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. Large UAVs are often misclassified under 8806.24 if the weight is incorrectly recorded; 8806.24 is for aircraft between 25kg and 150kg. They are also frequently confused with 8806.99, which covers UAVs of the same weight class that possess autonomous flight capabilities. If the drone can fly a pre-programmed route without pilot intervention, it must be moved to the 8806.9x series. Furthermore, if the UAV is designed to carry passengers, it is excluded from 8806 and classified under 8806.10.
Top exporters and importers of HS 880629 (the code used for large UAVs), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 880629 (the code used for large UAVs) 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 large UAVs.
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 large UAVs
Brazil classifies large UAVs 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 large UAVs
What is the HS code for Large UAVs?
The HS code for Large UAVs 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). The HS code for remote-controlled UAVs with a maximum take-off weight exceeding 150kg is 8806.29.
How do I classify Large UAVs for customs?
Large UAVs 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 determined for this classification?
The classification is based on the Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW), which includes the weight of the aircraft, its fuel or batteries, and its maximum rated payload.
Which countries are the top exporters of large UAVs (HS 880629)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 880629 (the code used for large UAVs) 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 large UAVs (HS 880629)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 880629 (the code used for large UAVs) 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 Large UAVs the same in all countries?
The base HS code 880629 for Large UAVs 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 UAVs in Brazil?
In Brazil, large UAVs (HS 880629) is classified under NCM 8806.29.00.