Product classification

HS code for Small car: 8703.22

Vehicles, with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc.

Classification of small car under HS 8703.22

Small cars with an engine capacity between 1,000cc and 1,500cc are classified under HS code 8703.22. This classification falls under Chapter 87, which covers vehicles other than railway or tramway rolling stock. Heading 8703 is designated for motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, including station wagons and racing cars. The specific subheading 8703.22 is determined by two primary factors: the type of engine and its displacement. First, the vehicle must have a spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, which is the standard petrol or gasoline engine. Second, the cylinder capacity must exceed 1,000cc but not exceed 1,500cc. This range covers a significant portion of the global compact car market. The classification is strictly based on the technical specifications of the engine rather than the physical dimensions of the vehicle chassis or the number of doors. Even if a vehicle is marketed as a "micro-SUV," if it meets these engine criteria, it falls under 8703.22.

Covers
  • Petrol-engine hatchbacks (1.1L to 1.5L)
  • Sedans with 1.2L or 1.4L spark-ignition engines
  • Compact SUVs with 1.5L petrol engines
  • Station wagons within the 1000cc-1500cc range
  • Three-wheeled passenger vehicles with engines in this range
Also under 8703.22
  • Honda Fit/Jazz (1.5L)
  • Toyota Yaris (1.5L)
  • Volkswagen Polo (1.2L/1.4L)
  • Ford Fiesta (1.0L EcoBoost/1.5L)
  • Suzuki Swift (1.2L/1.4L)

Codes often confused with 8703.22

Common mistake. Small cars are often misclassified into adjacent subheadings like 8703.21 (for engines 1,000cc and below) or 8703.23 (for engines exceeding 1,500cc but not 3,000cc). Precision is required regarding the exact cubic centimeter (cc) displacement. Another common error is misclassifying diesel-engine cars of the same size; diesel vehicles fall under 8703.31. Furthermore, hybrid vehicles, even those with 1.2L engines, are now classified under specific hybrid codes like 8703.40 through 8703.60, rather than the traditional petrol-only code 8703.22.

8703.21Vehicles; with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity not over 1000cc8703.23Vehicles; with only spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1500 but not over 3000cc8703.31Vehicles; with only compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine (diesel or semi-diesel), cylinder capacity not over 1500cc8703.40Vehicles; with both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, incapable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power8703.60Vehicles; with both spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine and electric motor for propulsion, capable of being charged by plugging to external source of electric power

Top exporters and importers of HS 870322 (the code used for small car), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 870322 (the code used for small car) 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 870322, not only small car.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $22.5B
  2. 2 Mexico $15.8B
  3. 3 Germany $15.6B

World total: $135.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $25.6B
  2. 2 Saudi Arabia $11.6B
  3. 3 Germany $8.9B

World total: $140.1B 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 small car

Brazil splits HS 8703.22 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 8703.22.10Spark-ignition cars over 1 to 1.5 L, up to 6 seats
  • 8703.22.90Spark-ignition cars over 1 to 1.5 L, over 6 seats

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about small car

What is the HS code for Small car?

The HS code for Small car is 870322 (Vehicles; with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc). For a petrol car with an engine between 1,000cc and 1,500cc, the HS code is 8703.22.

How do I classify Small car for customs?

Small car is classified under HS code 870322 — Vehicles; with only spark-ignition internal combustion piston engine, cylinder capacity over 1000 but not over 1500cc. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

How are electric cars classified?

Electric cars do not use the 8703.22 code; they are classified under HS code 8703.80, which is specifically for vehicles with only electric motors for propulsion.

Which countries are the top exporters of small car (HS 870322)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 870322 (the code used for small car) in UN Comtrade data were China ($22.5B, 17% of world exports), Mexico ($15.8B) and Germany ($15.6B). World exports came to about $135.7B, 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 small car (HS 870322)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 870322 (the code used for small car) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($25.6B, 18% of world imports), Saudi Arabia ($11.6B) and Germany ($8.9B). World imports came to about $140.1B, 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 Small car the same in all countries?

The base HS code 870322 for Small car 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 small car in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 870322 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for small car depends on the product's details: 8703.22.10 (Spark-ignition cars over 1 to 1.5 L, up to 6 seats), 8703.22.90 (Spark-ignition cars over 1 to 1.5 L, over 6 seats).