Product classification
HS code for Rangefinder: 9015.10
Rangefinders.
Classification of rangefinder under HS 9015.10
Rangefinders are classified under HS code 9015.10. This heading is situated within Chapter 90, which covers optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring, checking, precision, medical or surgical instruments and apparatus. Specifically, heading 9015 is reserved for surveying, hydrographic, oceanographic, hydrological, meteorological or geophysical instruments. Rangefinders are instruments used to determine the distance from the observer to a target object. They operate using various technologies, including optical coincidence (using prisms and lenses) or electronic time-of-flight (using laser or infrared pulses). The classification 9015.10 is applied regardless of the end-use, meaning that rangefinders used for golf, hunting, or forestry are classified here just as those used for professional land surveying are. The essential character of the device is its ability to measure distance through optical or electronic means. This classification is supported by the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System, which clarify that rangefinders are distinct from other optical instruments like binoculars or telescopes, even if those instruments contain a reticle for estimating distance.
- Covers
- Laser rangefinders for surveying and construction
- Optical rangefinders (coincidence or stereoscopic types)
- Golf and hunting laser rangefinders
- Handheld electronic distance meters (EDM)
- Rangefinders used in photography (if standalone)
- Industrial distance measuring sensors
- Also under 9015.10
- Leica Disto
- Bushnell Golf
- Nikon Aculon
- Vortex Optics Ranger
- Sig Sauer Kilo
Codes often confused with 9015.10
Common mistake. Rangefinders are often misclassified under HS code 9005, which covers binoculars and monoculars. While many modern binoculars include a rangefinding function, if the primary purpose is distance measurement, 9015.10 is more appropriate. They are also sometimes confused with 9013.20 (lasers), but 9015.10 is the specific heading for the measuring instrument itself, whereas 9013 is for the laser components or other optical appliances.
Top exporters and importers of HS 901510 (the code used for rangefinder), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 901510 (the code used for rangefinder) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 29% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 40% 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 901510, not only rangefinder.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $669M 29% of world exports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$366M 16% of world exports · partner records ↗
- 3 Hong Kong $346M 15% of world exports
World total: $2.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $993M 40% of world imports
- 2 United States $346M 14% of world imports
- 3 Hong Kong $275M 11% of world imports
World total: $2.5B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 rangefinder
Brazil classifies rangefinder under NCM 9015.10.00: HS 9015.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about rangefinder
What is the HS code for Rangefinder?
The HS code for Rangefinder is 901510 (Rangefinders). The HS code for rangefinders, including laser and optical types, is 9015.10.
How do I classify Rangefinder for customs?
Rangefinder is classified under HS code 901510 — Rangefinders. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are camera-integrated rangefinders classified here?
No, if the rangefinder is a built-in part of a camera, it is classified with the camera under heading 9006. Standalone units, however, always fall under 9015.10.
Which countries are the top exporters of rangefinder (HS 901510)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 901510 (the code used for rangefinder) in UN Comtrade data were China ($669M, 29% of world exports), Vietnam (about $366M) and Hong Kong ($346M). World exports came to about $2.3B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of rangefinder (HS 901510)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 901510 (the code used for rangefinder) in UN Comtrade data were China ($993M, 40% of world imports), the United States ($346M) and Hong Kong ($275M). World imports came to about $2.5B, 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 Rangefinder the same in all countries?
The base HS code 901510 for Rangefinder 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 rangefinder in Brazil?
In Brazil, rangefinder (HS 901510) is classified under NCM 9015.10.00.