Product classification
HS code for Train cars: 8605.00
Railway or tramway coaches, passenger coaches, luggage vans, post office coaches and other special purpose railway or tramway coaches, not self-propelled (excluding those of heading no. 8604).
Classification of train cars under HS 8605.00
Train cars, specifically non-self-propelled passenger coaches and special-purpose cars, are classified under HS code 8605.00. This heading is part of Chapter 86, which covers railway or tramway locomotives, rolling stock, and parts thereof. The classification 8605.00 is unique because it excludes self-propelled coaches (which fall under 8603) and freight wagons (which fall under 8606). To be classified under 8605.00, the vehicle must be designed to run on rails and must not have its own motor or engine for propulsion; it must be hauled by a locomotive or another power unit. This code covers a wide range of vehicles used for passenger transport and service functions. The classification is based on the intended use of the vehicle—transporting people or providing specialized services like postal sorting or medical care—and its lack of independent movement capability. This follows the General Rules for Interpretation (GRI) 1, as the heading text specifically describes these types of coaches.
- Covers
- Passenger coaches (first, second, and third class)
- Sleeping cars (wagons-lits)
- Dining cars and buffet cars
- Post office (mail) coaches
- Luggage vans and baggage cars
- Hospital or ambulance cars
- Also under 8605.00
- Siemens Viaggio Light coaches
- Alstom Coradia Stream coaches
- CRRC passenger coaches
- Stadler KISS double-decker coaches
- Talgo passenger cars
Codes often confused with 8605.00
Common mistake. The most common misclassification is with HS code 8603, which covers self-propelled railway or tramway coaches (like DMUs or EMUs). If the car has a motor, it cannot be in 8605.00. Another common error is using 8606.91 or 8606.99, which are for freight wagons; if a car is designed for passengers or special services rather than cargo, it belongs in 8605.00. Additionally, maintenance-of-way vehicles that are self-propelled or have specific mechanical functions (like cranes) are classified under 8604.00.
Top exporters and importers of HS 860500 (the code used for train cars), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 860500 (the code used for train cars) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 32% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United Arab Emirates, with about 16% 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 860500, not only train cars.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $532M 32% of world exports
- 2 Spain $446M 27% of world exports
- 3 Russia* ~$178M 11% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United Arab Emirates* ~$203M 16% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Kazakhstan $182M 15% of world imports
- 3 Canada $182M 14% of world imports
World total: $1.3B 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 train cars
Brazil splits HS 8605.00 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8605.00.10Railway passenger coaches, not self-propelled
- 8605.00.90Railway luggage vans and special coaches
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about train cars
What is the HS code for Train cars?
The HS code for Train cars is 860500 (Railway or tramway coaches; passenger coaches, luggage vans, post office coaches and other special purpose railway or tramway coaches, not self-propelled (excluding those of heading no. 8604)). The HS code for non-self-propelled passenger and special-purpose train cars is 8605.00.
How do I classify Train cars for customs?
Train cars is classified under HS code 860500 — Railway or tramway coaches; passenger coaches, luggage vans, post office coaches and other special purpose railway or tramway coaches, not self-propelled (excluding those of heading no. 8604). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are freight cars included in this code?
No, freight cars (wagons) are classified under HS code 8606. Code 8605.00 is strictly for passenger and special-purpose coaches.
Which countries are the top exporters of train cars (HS 860500)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 860500 (the code used for train cars) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($532M, 32% of world exports), Spain ($446M) and Russia (about $178M). World exports came to about $1.7B, 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 train cars (HS 860500)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 860500 (the code used for train cars) in UN Comtrade data were the United Arab Emirates (about $203M, 16% of world imports), Kazakhstan ($182M) and Canada ($182M). World imports 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.
Is the HS code for Train cars the same in all countries?
The base HS code 860500 for Train cars 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 train cars in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 860500 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for train cars depends on the product's details: 8605.00.10 (Railway passenger coaches, not self-propelled), 8605.00.90 (Railway luggage vans and special coaches).