Product classification
HS code for Liquid flow meter: 9028.20
Meters, liquid supply or production meters, including calibrating meters thereof.
Classification of liquid flow meter under HS 9028.20
Liquid flow meters are classified under HS code 9028.20 when they are designed as supply or production meters. This classification is part of Chapter 90, which covers measuring and checking instruments. Heading 9028 is specifically dedicated to gas, liquid, or electricity supply or production meters, including calibrating meters. The defining characteristic of a 9028.20 meter is its ability to measure the total volume of liquid that has passed through it over time, often for the purpose of billing or inventory control. This includes water meters used in residential or industrial settings, as well as meters at petrol pumps. These devices typically feature a totalizing mechanism (a register) that accumulates the flow data. This distinguishes them from instruments that only measure the instantaneous rate of flow without recording the total volume delivered.
- Covers
- Household water meters
- Industrial liquid supply meters
- Petrol pump delivery meters
- Beer and wine supply meters
- Calibrating meters for liquid supply
- Also under 9028.20
- Sensus iPERL
- Itron Aquadis+
- Neptune T-10
- Badger Meter Recordall
- Endress+Hauser Promag W
Codes often confused with 9028.20
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification occurs with HS code 9026.10. While both measure liquid flow, 9026.10 is for instruments that measure or check the flow rate or level (instantaneous measurement), whereas 9028.20 is for meters that measure the total quantity supplied or produced. If the device does not have a totalizing counter, it likely belongs in 9026.10. Flow transmitters without local totalizers are also generally excluded from 9028.
Top exporters and importers of HS 902820 (the code used for liquid flow meter), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 902820 (the code used for liquid flow meter) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 15% 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 902820, not only liquid flow meter.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $369M 18% of world exports
- 2 Germany $243M 12% of world exports
- 3 France $242M 12% of world exports
World total: $2.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $290M 15% of world imports
- 2 Germany $178M 8.9% of world imports
- 3 France $154M 7.7% of world imports
World total: $2.0B 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 codes for liquid flow meter
Brazil splits HS 9028.20 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 9028.20.10Liquid meters weighing 50 kg or less
- 9028.20.20Liquid meters weighing over 50 kg
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about liquid flow meter
What is the HS code for Liquid flow meter?
The HS code for Liquid flow meter is 902820 (Meters; liquid supply or production meters, including calibrating meters thereof). The HS code for a liquid supply or production flow meter is 9028.20. For instantaneous flow rate meters, the code is 9026.10.
How do I classify Liquid flow meter for customs?
Liquid flow meter is classified under HS code 902820 — Meters; liquid supply or production meters, including calibrating meters thereof. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are water meters classified under 9028.20?
Yes, water meters used for measuring the volume of water supplied to a building are classic examples of liquid supply meters under HS code 9028.20.
Which countries are the top exporters of liquid flow meter (HS 902820)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 902820 (the code used for liquid flow meter) in UN Comtrade data were China ($369M, 18% of world exports), Germany ($243M) and France ($242M). World exports came to about $2.1B, 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 liquid flow meter (HS 902820)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 902820 (the code used for liquid flow meter) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($290M, 15% of world imports), Germany ($178M) and France ($154M). World imports came to about $2.0B, 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 Liquid flow meter the same in all countries?
The base HS code 902820 for Liquid flow meter 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 liquid flow meter in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 902820 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for liquid flow meter depends on the product's details: 9028.20.10 (Liquid meters weighing 50 kg or less), 9028.20.20 (Liquid meters weighing over 50 kg).