Product classification
HS code for Railway air brakes: 8607.21
Railway or tramway locomotives or rolling stock, parts, air brakes and parts thereof.
Classification of railway air brakes under HS 8607.21
Railway air brakes are classified under HS code 8607.21, which is a specific subheading for parts of railway or tramway locomotives or rolling stock. Chapter 86 covers railway or tramway locomotives, rolling-stock and parts thereof; railway or tramway track fixtures and fittings and parts thereof; mechanical (including electro-mechanical) traffic signalling equipment of all kinds. Heading 8607 is dedicated to parts of railway or tramway locomotives or rolling stock. Within this heading, the 8607.2x series covers brakes and parts thereof. Subheading 8607.21 is explicitly reserved for air brakes and their constituent parts. This classification is based on the functional application of the component within the railway industry. Air brakes are a critical safety component using compressed air to apply pressure to the brake blocks or pads. Because these are specialized parts designed solely or principally for use with railway vehicles, they are excluded from general machinery chapters (like Chapter 84) and placed within the transport-specific Chapter 86. The classification includes the entire assembly or individual components like cylinders and reservoirs specifically designed for the air brake system.
- Covers
- Air brake cylinders for locomotives and wagons
- Triple valves and control valves for air systems
- Air reservoirs and pressure tanks
- Brake pipes and couplings (glad hands)
- Automatic slack adjusters for air brake systems
- Brake blocks and pads for air-actuated systems
- Also under 8607.21
- Knorr-Bremse air brake systems
- Wabtec brake components
- Faiveley Transport (now Wabtec) air brake parts
- Siemens Mobility brake systems
- Alstom brake components
Codes often confused with 8607.21
Common mistake. A common error is classifying these under 8607.29, which is the residual category for other types of railway brakes (such as vacuum or hydraulic). Another misclassification occurs with HS code 8481.20, which covers valves for oleohydraulic or pneumatic transmissions; however, if the valve is specifically for a railway air brake, 8607.21 takes precedence as a more specific part.
Top exporters and importers of HS 860721 (the code used for railway air brakes), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 860721 (the code used for railway air brakes) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 10% 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 860721, not only railway air brakes.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $266M 18% of world exports
- 2 Hungary $242M 17% of world exports
- 3 Austria $167M 12% of world exports
World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $151M 10% of world imports
- 2 Italy $141M 9.5% of world imports
- 3 China $109M 7.3% of world imports
World total: $1.5B 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 railway air brakes
Brazil classifies railway air brakes under NCM 8607.21.00: HS 8607.21 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about railway air brakes
What is the HS code for Railway air brakes?
The HS code for Railway air brakes is 860721 (Railway or tramway locomotives or rolling stock; parts, air brakes and parts thereof). The specific HS code for railway air brakes and their constituent parts is 8607.21.
How do I classify Railway air brakes for customs?
Railway air brakes is classified under HS code 860721 — Railway or tramway locomotives or rolling stock; parts, air brakes and parts thereof. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are rubber hoses for air brakes included here?
Generally, no. Reinforced rubber hoses are typically classified under heading 4009, even if they are used in railway air brake systems, unless they are imported as part of a complete brake assembly.
Which countries are the top exporters of railway air brakes (HS 860721)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 860721 (the code used for railway air brakes) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($266M, 18% of world exports), Hungary ($242M) and Austria ($167M). World exports came to about $1.5B, 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 railway air brakes (HS 860721)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 860721 (the code used for railway air brakes) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($151M, 10% of world imports), Italy ($141M) and China ($109M). World imports came to about $1.5B, 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 Railway air brakes the same in all countries?
The base HS code 860721 for Railway air brakes 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 railway air brakes in Brazil?
In Brazil, railway air brakes (HS 860721) is classified under NCM 8607.21.00.