Product classification
HS code for Road signals: 8530.80
Signalling, safety or traffic control equipment, for roads, inland waterways, parking facilities, port installations or airfields (excluding those of heading no. 8608).
Classification of road signals under HS 8530.80
Road signals are classified under HS code 8530.80. Heading 8530 covers electrical signaling, safety, or traffic control equipment for railways, tramways, roads, inland waterways, parking facilities, port installations, or airfields. Subheading 8530.80 is the specific category for such equipment used on roads and other non-railway infrastructures. This includes electrical devices that provide visual or audible signals to control or direct traffic, such as traffic lights or illuminated signs. The classification depends on the electrical nature of the equipment and its dedicated use for safety and traffic management. If the signal is not electrical, it falls under different chapters based on its constituent material (e.g., steel or plastic).
- Covers
- Traffic lights (Red-Yellow-Green)
- Pedestrian crossing signals
- Electronic variable message signs (VMS)
- Illuminated road warning signals
- Lane control signals
- Also under 8530.80
- Siemens Sitraffic
- SWARCO traffic lights
- Federal Signal VMS boards
- ADB Safegate airfield lighting
- PTV Group traffic management hardware
- Automatic Systems road barriers
Codes often confused with 8530.80
Common mistake. Road signals are often misclassified under 8530.10, which is strictly for railway or tramway equipment. They are also sometimes confused with 8531.20, which covers indicator panels incorporating liquid crystal devices (LCD) or light-emitting diodes (LED) for general purposes. However, because traffic signals have a specific safety and control function, 8530.80 is the legally correct classification. Non-electrical signs are often misclassified here but belong in 7326 (iron/steel) or 3926 (plastics).
Top exporters and importers of HS 853080 (the code used for road signals), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 853080 (the code used for road signals) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 17% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% 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 853080, not only road signals.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $218M 17% of world exports
- 2 Austria $130M 10% of world exports
- 3 Germany $124M 9.7% of world exports
World total: $1.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $205M 18% of world imports
- 2 Germany $63M 5.6% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $50M 4.4% of world imports
World total: $1.1B 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 codes for road signals
Brazil splits HS 8530.80 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8530.80.10Digital road traffic control equipment
- 8530.80.90Other road, port and airfield signalling equipment
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about road signals
What is the HS code for Road signals?
The HS code for Road signals is 853080 (Signalling, safety or traffic control equipment; for roads, inland waterways, parking facilities, port installations or airfields (excluding those of heading no. 8608)). The HS code for electrical road signals and traffic control equipment is 8530.80.
How do I classify Road signals for customs?
Road signals is classified under HS code 853080 — Signalling, safety or traffic control equipment; for roads, inland waterways, parking facilities, port installations or airfields (excluding those of heading no. 8608). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include solar-powered traffic lights?
Yes, as long as they are electrical signaling devices, solar-powered units are classified under 8530.80.
Which countries are the top exporters of road signals (HS 853080)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 853080 (the code used for road signals) in UN Comtrade data were China ($218M, 17% of world exports), Austria ($130M) and Germany ($124M). World exports came to about $1.3B, 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 road signals (HS 853080)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 853080 (the code used for road signals) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($205M, 18% of world imports), Germany ($63M) and the United Kingdom ($50M). World imports came to about $1.1B, 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 Road signals the same in all countries?
The base HS code 853080 for Road signals 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 road signals in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 853080 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for road signals depends on the product's details: 8530.80.10 (Digital road traffic control equipment), 8530.80.90 (Other road, port and airfield signalling equipment).