Product classification
HS code for Public transport vehicle: 8702.90
Vehicles, public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), n.e.c. in heading 8702, new or used.
Classification of public transport vehicle under HS 8702.90
Public transport vehicles are classified under HS code 870290 when they are designed to carry ten or more persons (including the driver) and do not fall under the specific categories of compression-ignition (diesel) or purely electric propulsion defined in other subheadings of 8702. Chapter 87 covers vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock. Heading 8702 is dedicated to motor vehicles for the transport of ten or more persons. The subheading 870290 acts as a residual category for vehicles with alternative propulsion systems, such as those powered by spark-ignition internal combustion engines (gasoline/petrol) or other non-standard engines. Classification depends heavily on the seating capacity and the technical specifications of the engine, which must be documented in the vehicle's technical data sheet.
- Covers
- Gasoline-powered buses (10+ seats)
- Natural gas (CNG) public transport vehicles
- Trolleybuses (connected to electric lines but not on rails)
- Hybrid public transport vehicles (not elsewhere specified)
- Vintage or specialized passenger shuttles
- Also under 8702.90
- New Flyer Xcelsior CNG
- Solaris Urbino 12 CNG
- Van Hool A330 Fuel Cell
- Mercedes-Benz Citaro NGT
- Scania Citywide LFA CNG
Codes often confused with 8702.90
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is with HS code 870210, which is specifically for vehicles with compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi-diesel). Another frequent error is using HS code 8703, which is for motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons but with a capacity of fewer than ten people. If a van is modified to seat 9 people including the driver, it stays in 8703; if it seats 10, it moves to 8702. Additionally, purely electric buses should be classified under 870240 rather than 870290.
Top exporters and importers of HS 870290 (the code used for public transport vehicle), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 870290 (the code used for public transport vehicle) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 17% 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 870290, not only public transport vehicle.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $717M 27% of world exports
- 2 Japan $485M 18% of world exports
- 3 United States $387M 14% of world exports
World total: $2.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Canada $359M 17% of world imports
- 2 United States $290M 13% of world imports
- 3 Italy $160M 7.4% of world imports
World total: $2.2B 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 public transport vehicle
Brazil classifies public transport vehicle under NCM 8702.90.00: HS 8702.90 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about public transport vehicle
What is the HS code for Public transport vehicle?
The HS code for Public transport vehicle is 870290 (Vehicles; public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), n.e.c. in heading 8702, new or used). For vehicles carrying 10+ people not powered by diesel or pure electricity, the HS code is 870290.
How do I classify Public transport vehicle for customs?
Public transport vehicle is classified under HS code 870290 — Vehicles; public transport type (carries 10 or more persons, including driver), n.e.c. in heading 8702, new or used. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does the seating count include the driver?
Yes, the Harmonized System explicitly states that the count of ten or more persons includes the driver.
Which countries are the top exporters of public transport vehicle (HS 870290)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 870290 (the code used for public transport vehicle) in UN Comtrade data were China ($717M, 27% of world exports), Japan ($485M) and the United States ($387M). World exports came to about $2.7B, 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 public transport vehicle (HS 870290)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 870290 (the code used for public transport vehicle) in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($359M, 17% of world imports), the United States ($290M) and Italy ($160M). World imports came to about $2.2B, 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 Public transport vehicle the same in all countries?
The base HS code 870290 for Public transport vehicle 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 public transport vehicle in Brazil?
In Brazil, public transport vehicle (HS 870290) is classified under NCM 8702.90.00.