Product classification
HS code for Shotgun ammunition: 9306.21
Ammunition, shotgun cartridges.
Classification of shotgun ammunition under HS 9306.21
Shotgun ammunition is classified under HS code 9306.21. This classification is governed by the legal notes of Chapter 93, which encompasses arms and ammunition. Heading 9306 specifically covers bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, missiles, and similar munitions of war, as well as cartridges and other ammunition and projectiles. Subheading 9306.21 is a specific provision for shotgun cartridges. These are defined as complete rounds of ammunition designed for smooth-bore firearms, typically consisting of a case (hull), a primer, propellant powder, a wad, and the projectile (shot or slug). The classification is determined by GRI 1, as the text of the subheading explicitly names shotgun cartridges. This code applies to all gauges of shotgun ammunition, including 12-gauge, 20-gauge, and .410 bore, provided they are imported as complete, functional units ready for use in a firearm.
- Covers
- 12-gauge birdshot cartridges
- 20-gauge buckshot cartridges
- Shotgun slugs
- Non-lethal rubber buckshot cartridges
- Target load shotgun shells
- Breaching rounds for shotguns
- Also under 9306.21
- Federal Premium shotgun shells
- Winchester Super-X
- Remington Express
- Fiocchi shotgun cartridges
- Eley Hawk shells
Codes often confused with 9306.21
Common mistake. A common misclassification occurs with HS code 9306.29, which is intended for parts of shotgun cartridges rather than the complete rounds. Importers may also confuse shotgun shells with other cartridges classified under 9306.30, which covers cartridges for rifles or pistols. The primary difference is the smooth-bore nature of the firearm for which the ammunition is intended. Additionally, blank cartridges are sometimes misclassified under 3604 as pyrotechnics, but if they are designed for firearms, they must remain in heading 9306.
Top exporters and importers of HS 930621 (the code used for shotgun ammunition), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 930621 (the code used for shotgun ammunition) in UN Comtrade data was Brazil, with 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 19% 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 930621, not only shotgun ammunition.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Brazil $309M 42% of world exports
- 2 Italy $150M 21% of world exports
- 3 Spain $95M 13% of world exports
World total: $732M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Indonesia $100M 19% of world imports
- 2 United States $71M 13% of world imports
- 3 United Arab Emirates* ~$52M 9.8% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $531M 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 codes for shotgun ammunition
Brazil splits HS 9306.21 into 4 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 9306.21.10Irritant shotgun cartridges, chemical or capsicum
- 9306.21.20Smoke, flare, sound or marking shotgun cartridges
- 9306.21.30Shotgun cartridges with elastomer projectiles
- 9306.21.90Other shotgun cartridges
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about shotgun ammunition
What is the HS code for Shotgun ammunition?
The HS code for Shotgun ammunition is 930621 (Ammunition; shotgun cartridges). The specific HS code for complete shotgun cartridges is 9306.21.
How do I classify Shotgun ammunition for customs?
Shotgun ammunition is classified under HS code 930621 — Ammunition; shotgun cartridges. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include shotgun slugs?
Yes, as long as the slug is part of a complete cartridge designed for a shotgun, it is classified under 9306.21.
Which countries are the top exporters of shotgun ammunition (HS 930621)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 930621 (the code used for shotgun ammunition) in UN Comtrade data were Brazil ($309M, 42% of world exports), Italy ($150M) and Spain ($95M). World exports came to about $732M, 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 shotgun ammunition (HS 930621)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 930621 (the code used for shotgun ammunition) in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($100M, 19% of world imports), the United States ($71M) and the United Arab Emirates (about $52M). World imports came to about $531M, 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 Shotgun ammunition the same in all countries?
The base HS code 930621 for Shotgun ammunition 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 shotgun ammunition in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 930621 into 4 NCM codes, so the right one for shotgun ammunition depends on the product's details: 9306.21.10 (Irritant shotgun cartridges, chemical or capsicum), 9306.21.20 (Smoke, flare, sound or marking shotgun cartridges), 9306.21.30 (Shotgun cartridges with elastomer projectiles), 9306.21.90 (Other shotgun cartridges).