Product classification
HS code for Tower crane: 8426.20
Cranes, tower cranes.
Classification of tower crane under HS 8426.20
Tower cranes are classified under HS code 8426.20. This code is found within Chapter 84, which covers nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, and mechanical appliances. Heading 8426 specifically includes ships' derricks, cranes, mobile lifting frames, straddle carriers, and works trucks fitted with a crane. Tower cranes are a distinct type of lifting machinery used primarily in construction for moving heavy materials vertically and horizontally. They consist of a vertical tower (mast) and a horizontal jib. The classification under 8426.20 is straightforward according to GRI 1, as the subheading specifically names "Tower cranes." These machines are characterized by their fixed or semi-fixed installation at a job site, distinguishing them from mobile cranes mounted on truck chassis. Even if the tower crane is designed to be disassembled and moved between sites, its mechanical nature and specific function as a tower-based lifting device keep it within this subheading. The Explanatory Notes emphasize that this heading covers machines used for lifting or handling, even if they are self-propelled, provided they are not mounted on a vehicle chassis that qualifies as a motor vehicle under Chapter 87.
- Covers
- Fixed-base tower cranes
- Luffing jib tower cranes
- Self-erecting tower cranes
- Hammerhead cranes
- Internal climbing tower cranes
- Flat-top tower cranes
- Also under 8426.20
- Liebherr 280 EC-H
- Potain (Manitowoc) MDT Series
- Terex CTT Series
- Zoomlion T Series
- XCMG XGT Series
Codes often confused with 8426.20
Common mistake. Tower cranes are sometimes confused with 8705.10, which covers crane lorries. The distinction lies in the base: if the crane is permanently integrated into a motor vehicle chassis capable of road travel, it belongs in 8705. If it is a standalone machine (even if it can move on rails or tracks), it stays in 8426. Another misclassification is 8426.11, which is reserved for overhead travelling cranes on fixed supports, which function differently than the mast-and-jib structure of a tower crane.
Top exporters and importers of HS 842620 (the code used for tower crane), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 842620 (the code used for tower crane) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Saudi Arabia, with 13% 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 842620, not only tower crane.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $674M 42% of world exports
- 2 Germany $266M 16% of world exports
- 3 Italy $179M 11% of world exports
World total: $1.6B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Saudi Arabia $251M 13% of world imports
- 2 United Arab Emirates* ~$129M 6.6% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Türkiye $98M 5.0% of world imports
World total: $1.9B 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 tower crane
Brazil classifies tower crane under NCM 8426.20.00: HS 8426.20 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about tower crane
What is the HS code for Tower crane?
The HS code for Tower crane is 842620 (Cranes; tower cranes). The HS code for a tower crane is 8426.20, which is the specific subheading for this type of machinery.
How do I classify Tower crane for customs?
Tower crane is classified under HS code 842620 — Cranes; tower cranes. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are mobile cranes classified under the same code?
No, mobile cranes are generally classified under 8426.41 (self-propelled on tires) or 8705.10 (if mounted on a truck chassis), depending on their design and mobility.
Which countries are the top exporters of tower crane (HS 842620)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 842620 (the code used for tower crane) in UN Comtrade data were China ($674M, 42% of world exports), Germany ($266M) and Italy ($179M). World exports came to about $1.6B, 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 tower crane (HS 842620)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 842620 (the code used for tower crane) in UN Comtrade data were Saudi Arabia ($251M, 13% of world imports), the United Arab Emirates (about $129M) and Türkiye ($98M). World imports came to about $1.9B, 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 Tower crane the same in all countries?
The base HS code 842620 for Tower crane 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 tower crane in Brazil?
In Brazil, tower crane (HS 842620) is classified under NCM 8426.20.00.