Product classification
HS code for Railway freight wagons: 8606.99
Railway or tramway goods vans and wagons, n.e.c. in heading no. 8606, not self-propelled.
Classification of railway freight wagons under HS 8606.99
Railway freight wagons that are not self-propelled are classified under HS code 8606.99. This classification falls under heading 8606, which covers railway or tramway goods vans and wagons. The subheading 8606.99 is a residual category for wagons that do not fit into more specific subheadings such as tank wagons (8606.10), insulated or refrigerated wagons (8606.30), or self-discharging wagons (8606.91). To fall under this code, the vehicle must be designed for the transport of goods on rails and must lack an integrated propulsion system (i.e., it must be hauled by a locomotive). The classification covers a wide variety of industrial and commercial wagons used in logistics, mining, and heavy industry, provided they are designed for use on a standard or narrow-gauge railway network.
- Covers
- Open freight wagons with fixed sides (gondolas)
- Flat wagons for containers or heavy machinery
- Covered goods wagons (boxcars) not elsewhere specified
- Platform wagons for timber or pipe transport
- Skeleton wagons for intermodal transport
- Well wagons for oversized cargo
- Hopper wagons that are not self-discharging
- Also under 8606.99
- Greenbrier auto-rack wagons
- CRRC flat wagons
- Siemens special transport wagons
- VTG container wagons
- Tatravagónka specialized flat wagons
Codes often confused with 8606.99
Common mistake. Freight wagons are often misclassified under HS code 8603, which is reserved for self-propelled railway coaches or vans. If a wagon has an integrated motor, it cannot stay in 8606. Another common error is using HS code 8716, which covers trailers and semi-trailers; however, 8716 is for road vehicles, whereas 8606 is strictly for rail-bound vehicles. Additionally, specialized containers that are removable from the wagon should be classified under 8609.00, rather than as part of the wagon itself, if they are designed to be transported by one or more modes of transport.
Top exporters and importers of HS 860699 (the code used for railway freight wagons), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 860699 (the code used for railway freight wagons) in UN Comtrade data was Slovakia, with 40% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 32% 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 860699, not only railway freight wagons.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Slovakia $373M 40% of world exports
- 2 China $96M 10% of world exports
- 3 Türkiye $95M 10% of world exports
World total: $943M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $447M 32% of world imports
- 2 Myanmar $145M 10% of world imports
- 3 Austria $141M 10% of world imports
World total: $1.4B 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 freight wagons
Brazil classifies railway freight wagons under NCM 8606.99.00: HS 8606.99 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about railway freight wagons
What is the HS code for Railway freight wagons?
The HS code for Railway freight wagons is 860699 (Railway or tramway goods vans and wagons; n.e.c. in heading no. 8606, not self-propelled). The general HS code for non-self-propelled railway freight wagons not specified elsewhere is 8606.99.
How do I classify Railway freight wagons for customs?
Railway freight wagons is classified under HS code 860699 — Railway or tramway goods vans and wagons; n.e.c. in heading no. 8606, not self-propelled. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are tank wagons classified under this same code?
No, tank wagons for the transport of liquids or gases have a more specific classification under HS code 8606.10.
Which countries are the top exporters of railway freight wagons (HS 860699)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 860699 (the code used for railway freight wagons) in UN Comtrade data were Slovakia ($373M, 40% of world exports), China ($96M) and Türkiye ($95M). World exports came to about $943M, 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 freight wagons (HS 860699)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 860699 (the code used for railway freight wagons) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($447M, 32% of world imports), Myanmar ($145M) and Austria ($141M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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 freight wagons the same in all countries?
The base HS code 860699 for Railway freight wagons 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 freight wagons in Brazil?
In Brazil, railway freight wagons (HS 860699) is classified under NCM 8606.99.00.