Product classification
HS code for Load cells: 9024.90
Machines and appliances, parts and accessories for those testing hardness, strength, compressibility, elasticity or other mechanical properties of materials (e.g. metal, wood, textiles, paper, plastics).
Classification of load cells under HS 9024.90
Load cells are classified under HS code 9024.90 when they are presented as parts or accessories for machines and appliances used for testing the mechanical properties of materials. Heading 9024 includes equipment designed to test the hardness, strength, compressibility, or elasticity of materials such as metals, textiles, or plastics. A load cell is a transducer that converts mechanical force into an electrical signal, making it an indispensable component of material testing systems like tensile testers or compression machines. Subheading 9024.90 is the designated category for parts and accessories of these instruments. The classification is driven by General Interpretative Rule 1 and Chapter 90 Note 2(b), which states that parts and accessories suitable for use solely or principally with a particular kind of machine are to be classified with those machines. While load cells are used in various fields, their role as a sensing element in a material testing environment dictates their placement under 9024.90 rather than general weighing or measuring headings.
- Covers
- Strain gauge load cells for material testing
- Hydraulic load cells for strength analysis
- Compression load cells for universal testing machines
- Tension load cells for laboratory stress testing
- S-type load cells for industrial material analysis
- Also under 9024.90
- Instron 2580 Series Load Cells
- ZwickRoell makroXtens Extensometer
- MTS FlexTest Controllers
- Shimadzu Trapezoid Grips
- Buehler Wilson Rockwell Indenters
Codes often confused with 9024.90
Common mistake. Load cells are frequently misclassified under HS code 8423.90, which covers parts of weighing machinery. If the load cell is intended for a commercial scale or industrial weighing platform, 8423.90 is correct. However, for material testing, 9024.90 takes precedence. They are also sometimes incorrectly placed in 9031.80, which is a general category for other measuring or checking instruments.
Top exporters and importers of HS 902490 (the code used for load cells), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 902490 (the code used for load cells) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% 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 902490, not only load cells.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 United States $173M 30% of world exports
- 2 Germany $68M 12% of world exports
- 3 United Kingdom $68M 12% of world exports
World total: $584M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $72M 14% of world imports
- 2 Germany $40M 7.8% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $29M 5.7% of world imports
World total: $517M 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 load cells
Brazil classifies load cells under NCM 9024.90.00: HS 9024.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about load cells
What is the HS code for Load cells?
The HS code for Load cells is 902490 (Machines and appliances; parts and accessories for those testing hardness, strength, compressibility, elasticity or other mechanical properties of materials (e.g. metal, wood, textiles, paper, plastics)). For load cells used as parts of material testing machines, the HS code is 9024.90. For those used in weighing scales, the code is 8423.90.
How do I classify Load cells for customs?
Load cells is classified under HS code 902490 — Machines and appliances; parts and accessories for those testing hardness, strength, compressibility, elasticity or other mechanical properties of materials (e.g. metal, wood, textiles, paper, plastics). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Why are load cells in Chapter 90?
Chapter 90 covers precision instruments. Since load cells are high-precision measuring transducers used in scientific and testing equipment, they fall under this chapter.
Which countries are the top exporters of load cells (HS 902490)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 902490 (the code used for load cells) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($173M, 30% of world exports), Germany ($68M) and the United Kingdom ($68M). World exports came to about $584M, 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 load cells (HS 902490)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 902490 (the code used for load cells) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($72M, 14% of world imports), Germany ($40M) and the United Kingdom ($29M). World imports came to about $517M, 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 Load cells the same in all countries?
The base HS code 902490 for Load cells 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 load cells in Brazil?
In Brazil, load cells (HS 902490) is classified under NCM 9024.90.00.