Product classification

HS code for Passenger boarding bridge: 8479.79

Machinery and mechanical appliances, passenger boarding bridges, other than of a kind used in airports.

Classification of passenger boarding bridge under HS 8479.79

Passenger boarding bridges (PBBs) are classified under HS code 8479.79 when they are used in environments other than airports, such as maritime ports or railway stations. Heading 8479 is designated for machinery and mechanical appliances having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in Chapter 84. The classification of these bridges is based on their complex mechanical nature, involving hydraulic systems, telescopic walkways, and electronic sensors that allow the bridge to align with a vessel or vehicle. Subheading 8479.79 specifically excludes those of a kind used in airports, which are classified under 8479.71. The distinction is vital because airport bridges are subject to different technical standards and international trade agreements. These structures are considered 'machines' because they contain moving parts and perform a specific mechanical task—facilitating the safe transfer of passengers—rather than being simple static structures. The classification follows GRI 1, as the heading text for 8479 explicitly mentions passenger boarding bridges as a specific category of mechanical appliance.

Covers
  • Maritime passenger boarding bridges
  • Cruise ship gangways (mechanical)
  • Telescopic ship-to-shore walkways
  • Railway station boarding bridges
  • Mobile mechanical passenger ramps
Also under 8479.79
  • ADELTE Seaport & Airport Solutions (Seaport PBBs)
  • ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (gangways)
  • CIMC-Tianda (seaport bridges)
  • PBB Systems (marine gangways)
  • Safe Harbor Marine (custom gangways)

Codes often confused with 8479.79

Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification is HS code 8479.71, which is exclusively for airport passenger boarding bridges. Using the wrong subheading can lead to issues with regulatory compliance and duty rates. Another common error is classifying the bridge as a static steel structure under HS code 7308. While the bridge is made of steel, Note 1(f) to Section XV excludes machinery and mechanical appliances of Section XVI from Chapter 73. Because the bridge has significant mechanical and moving components, it must be classified in Chapter 84. Additionally, some might attempt to classify them under 8428 as lifting or handling machinery, but 8479 is more specific to the function of a boarding bridge.

8479.71Machinery and mechanical appliances; passenger boarding bridges, of a kind used in airports73.08Structures of iron or steel and parts thereof; plates, rods, angles, shapes, sections, tubes and the like, prepared for use in structures84.28Lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery; n.e.c. in heading no. 8425, 8426 or 8427 (e.g. lifts, escalators, conveyors, teleferics)84.79Machinery and mechanical appliances; having individual functions, n.e.c. in this chapter

Top exporters and importers of HS 847979 (the code used for passenger boarding bridge), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 847979 (the code used for passenger boarding bridge) in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 22% 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 847979, not only passenger boarding bridge.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 United States $44M
  2. 2 Netherlands $43M
  3. 3 Italy $33M

World total: $210M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $51M
  2. 2 Malaysia $22M
  3. 3 Norway $15M

World total: $233M 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 passenger boarding bridge

Brazil classifies passenger boarding bridge under NCM 8479.79.00: HS 8479.79 with 00 added.

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about passenger boarding bridge

What is the HS code for Passenger boarding bridge?

The HS code for Passenger boarding bridge is 847979 (Machinery and mechanical appliances; passenger boarding bridges, other than of a kind used in airports). For airport use, the HS code is 8479.71. For all other uses, such as at seaports, the HS code is 8479.79.

How do I classify Passenger boarding bridge for customs?

Passenger boarding bridge is classified under HS code 847979 — Machinery and mechanical appliances; passenger boarding bridges, other than of a kind used in airports. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does this code include simple wooden gangplanks?

No, simple gangplanks without mechanical or moving parts are classified according to their material (e.g., Chapter 44 for wood or Chapter 73 for steel) as they lack the mechanical complexity of a boarding bridge.

Which countries are the top exporters of passenger boarding bridge (HS 847979)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 847979 (the code used for passenger boarding bridge) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($44M, 21% of world exports), the Netherlands ($43M) and Italy ($33M). World exports came to about $210M, 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 passenger boarding bridge (HS 847979)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 847979 (the code used for passenger boarding bridge) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($51M, 22% of world imports), Malaysia ($22M) and Norway ($15M). World imports came to about $233M, 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 Passenger boarding bridge the same in all countries?

The base HS code 847979 for Passenger boarding bridge 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 passenger boarding bridge in Brazil?

In Brazil, passenger boarding bridge (HS 847979) is classified under NCM 8479.79.00.