Product classification
HS code for Mechanical automatic watches: 9102.21
Wrist-watches, whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, with automatic winding.
Classification of mechanical automatic watches under HS 9102.21
Mechanical automatic watches are classified under HS code 910221. This classification is part of Chapter 91, which covers horological instruments. Heading 9102 applies to wrist-watches, pocket-watches, and similar items, provided the case is not made of precious metal or metal clad with precious metal. The subheading 910221 is specifically defined for watches with 'automatic winding.' This means the watch utilizes a rotor that spins with the wearer's movement to wind the mainspring, distinguishing it from manual-wind mechanical watches or battery-operated quartz watches. The classification process requires identifying the power source and the winding mechanism. Because automatic watches represent a specific technological category within mechanical horology, they are granted a dedicated subheading to differentiate them from other mechanical movements. The value of the watch does not change the heading, provided the case material remains base metal or plastic.
- Covers
- Self-winding mechanical wristwatches
- Automatic diving watches (base metal case)
- Skeleton automatic watches
- Automatic chronometers
- Mechanical watches with oscillating rotors
- Also under 9102.21
- Seiko SKX007 (automatic)
- Tissot Le Locle (automatic)
- Hamilton Khaki Field (automatic)
- Oris Aquis (automatic)
Codes often confused with 9102.21
Common mistake. The most critical misclassification involves HS code 910121. If the watch case is made of gold, silver, or platinum, it must be classified under 9101 regardless of the movement. Another common error is 910211, which is for quartz (battery) watches. Even if a quartz watch has a 'sweeping' hand, it is not mechanical and cannot use the 910221 code.
Top exporters and importers of HS 910221 (the code used for mechanical automatic watches), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 910221 (the code used for mechanical automatic watches) in UN Comtrade data was Switzerland, with 74% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 16% 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 910221, not only mechanical automatic watches.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Switzerland $14.0B 74% of world exports
- 2 Hong Kong $1.2B 6.2% of world exports
- 3 France $965M 5.1% of world exports
World total: $18.9B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $3.3B 16% of world imports
- 2 Hong Kong $3.0B 15% of world imports
- 3 Japan $1.6B 8.1% of world imports
World total: $20.3B 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 mechanical automatic watches
Brazil classifies mechanical automatic watches under NCM 9102.21.00: HS 9102.21 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about mechanical automatic watches
What is the HS code for Mechanical automatic watches?
The HS code for Mechanical automatic watches is 910221 (Wrist-watches; whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, with automatic winding). The HS code for mechanical automatic winding wristwatches with a base metal case is 910221.
How do I classify Mechanical automatic watches for customs?
Mechanical automatic watches is classified under HS code 910221 — Wrist-watches; whether or not incorporating a stop-watch facility, with automatic winding. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What if the automatic watch has a gold-plated case?
If the case is only plated with precious metal (and not 'clad' or solid precious metal), it remains under 910221. Solid gold cases move the product to 910121.
Which countries are the top exporters of mechanical automatic watches (HS 910221)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 910221 (the code used for mechanical automatic watches) in UN Comtrade data were Switzerland ($14.0B, 74% of world exports), Hong Kong ($1.2B) and France ($965M). World exports came to about $18.9B, 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 mechanical automatic watches (HS 910221)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 910221 (the code used for mechanical automatic watches) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($3.3B, 16% of world imports), Hong Kong ($3.0B) and Japan ($1.6B). World imports came to about $20.3B, 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 Mechanical automatic watches the same in all countries?
The base HS code 910221 for Mechanical automatic watches 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 mechanical automatic watches in Brazil?
In Brazil, mechanical automatic watches (HS 910221) is classified under NCM 9102.21.00.