Product classification
HS code for Shipping containers: 8609.00
Containers, (including containers for transport of fluids) specially designed and equipped for carriage by one or more modes of transport.
Classification of shipping containers under HS 8609.00
Shipping containers are classified under HS code 8609.00. This code is specifically designed for containers (including those for the transport of fluids) that are specially designed and equipped for carriage by one or more modes of transport. Unlike general-purpose storage boxes, these containers must possess specific structural features, such as corner castings for lifting and securing, which allow them to be transferred between ships, trains, and trucks without unloading the contents. Chapter 86 generally deals with railway and tramway equipment, but heading 8609 is unique because it focuses on the intermodal transport unit itself. The classification applies regardless of the material used in construction (typically steel or aluminum) and regardless of whether the container is empty or currently in use for transport. The primary criteria for classification under 8609.00 are the durability of the container and its specialized design for repeated use in international logistics.
- Covers
- ISO standard freight containers
- Refrigerated containers (reefers) for intermodal transport
- Tank containers for the transport of liquids or gases
- Open-top and flat-rack containers
- Dry van containers for sea and land transport
- Also under 8609.00
- Maersk Line containers
- Evergreen Marine containers
- CIMC containers
- Textainer containers
Codes often confused with 8609.00
Common mistake. Shipping containers are often misclassified under HS code 7309 or 7310 if they are viewed merely as steel tanks or reservoirs. However, those codes are for stationary storage and lack the specialized fittings for intermodal transport. Another common error is using HS code 8716, which covers trailers and semi-trailers; while a container may be mounted on a chassis, the container itself remains 8609.00. Additionally, small packing cases or crates made of wood or plastic that are not designed for intermodal transport are classified according to their material (e.g., Chapter 44 for wood or Chapter 39 for plastic) rather than as shipping containers.
Top exporters and importers of HS 860900 (the code used for shipping containers), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 860900 (the code used for shipping containers) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 77% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 9.3% of world imports. Mexico reports $1.9B of its chapter 86 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 860900, not only shipping containers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $13.6B 77% of world exports
- 2 United States $571M 3.3% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $336M 1.9% of world exports
Mexico reports $1.9B of its chapter 86 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
World total: $17.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $554M 9.3% of world imports
- 2 Taiwan* ~$457M 7.7% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Germany $405M 6.8% of world imports
World total: $6.0B 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 shipping containers
Brazil classifies shipping containers under NCM 8609.00.00: HS 8609.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about shipping containers
What is the HS code for Shipping containers?
The HS code for Shipping containers is 860900 (Containers; (including containers for transport of fluids) specially designed and equipped for carriage by one or more modes of transport).
How do I classify Shipping containers for customs?
Shipping containers is classified under HS code 860900 — Containers; (including containers for transport of fluids) specially designed and equipped for carriage by one or more modes of transport. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for a standard 20ft or 40ft shipping container?
Standard intermodal shipping containers are classified under HS code 8609.00.
Are refrigerated containers (reefers) classified under the same code?
Yes, refrigerated containers designed for intermodal transport are included in HS code 8609.00, as the code covers containers specially equipped for transport regardless of their cooling capabilities.
Which countries are the top exporters of shipping containers (HS 860900)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 860900 (the code used for shipping containers) in UN Comtrade data were China ($13.6B, 77% of world exports), the United States ($571M) and the Netherlands ($336M). World exports came to about $17.5B, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Mexico reports $1.9B of its chapter 86 exports without product detail (confidential), so it may also belong among the top exporters.
Which countries are the top importers of shipping containers (HS 860900)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 860900 (the code used for shipping containers) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($554M, 9.3% of world imports), Taiwan (about $457M) and Germany ($405M). World imports came to about $6.0B, 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 Shipping containers the same in all countries?
The base HS code 860900 for Shipping containers 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 shipping containers in Brazil?
In Brazil, shipping containers (HS 860900) is classified under NCM 8609.00.00.