Section XVII · Vehicles & Transport · Chapter 89
Ships, boats and floating structures
About chapter 89
Chapter 89 covers ships, boats and floating structures: vessels of every kind from cargo ships to yachts to floating docks, plus their associated equipment.
Classification tip: Vessel classification splits by function (cargo, fishing, pleasure, tug) and by propulsion, and importing a vessel usually also triggers flagging, registration and marine-safety requirements well beyond the HS code itself.
25 six-digit codes
Cruise ships, excursion boats, ferry-boats, cargo ships, barges and similar vessels for the transport of persons or goods
4 codes8901.10Cruise ships, excursion boats and similar vessels, principally designed for the transport of persons, ferry boats of all kinds8901.20Tankers8901.30Vessels, refrigerated; other than tankers8901.90Vessels; n.e.c. in heading no. 8901, for the transport of goods and other vessels for the transport of both persons and goods
Fishing vessels, factory ships and other vessels; for processing or preserving fishery products
1 code8902.00Fishing vessels, factory ships and other vessels; for processing or preserving fishery products
Yachts and other vessels; for pleasure or sports, rowing boats and canoes
11 codes8903.11Yachts and other vessels; for pleasure or sports, inflatable (including rigid hull inflatable), fitted or designed to be fitted with a motor, unladen (net) weight (excluding the motor) not exceeding 100kg8903.12Yachts and other vessels; for pleasure or sports, inflatable (including rigid hull inflatable), not designed to be used with a motor and unladen (net) weight not exceeding 100kg8903.19Yachts and other vessels; for pleasure or sports, inflatable (including rigid hull inflatable), unladen (net) weight exceeding 100kg8903.21Sailboats; (other than inflatable) with or without auxiliary motor, for pleasure or sports, of a length not exceeding 7.5m8903.22Sailboats; (other than inflatable) with or without auxiliary motor, for pleasure or sports, of a length exceeding 7.5m but not exceeding 24m8903.23Sailboats; (other than inflatable) with or without auxiliary motor, for pleasure or sports, of a length exceeding 24m8903.31Motorboats; (other than outboard motorboats), for pleasure or sports, other than inflatable, of a length not exceeding 7.5m8903.32Motorboats; (other than outboard motorboats), for pleasure or sports, other than inflatable, of a length exceeding 7.5m but not exceeding 24m8903.33Motorboats; (other than outboard motorboats), for pleasure or sports, other than inflatable, of a length exceeding 24m8903.93Vessels; (other than sailboats and motorboats), for pleasure or sports, other than inflatable, of a length not exceeding 7.5m8903.99Vessels; (other than sailboats and motorboats), for pleasure or sports, other than inflatable, of a length exceeding 7.5m
Tugs and pusher craft
1 code8904.00Tugs and pusher craft
Light-vessels, fire-floats, dredgers, floating cranes, other vessels; the navigability of which is subsidiary to main function; floating docks, floating, submersible drilling, production platforms
3 codes8905.10Dredgers8905.20Floating or submersible drilling or production platforms8905.90Vessels; light, fire-floats, floating cranes and other vessels, the navigability of which is subsidiary to their main function, floating docks
Vessels; other, including warships and lifeboats, other than rowing boats
2 codes8906.10Vessels; warships8906.90Vessels; other, including lifeboats other than rowing boats, other than warships
Boats, floating structures, other (for e.g. rafts, tanks, coffer-dams, landing stages, buoys and beacons)
2 codes8907.10Rafts; inflatable8907.90Floating structures; tanks, coffer-dams, landing stages, buoys and beacons
Vessels and other floating structures; for breaking up
1 code8908.00Vessels and other floating structures; for breaking up
More chapters in section XVII: Vehicles & Transport
Codes and descriptions follow the WCO six-digit Harmonized System nomenclature. National tariff schedules extend these to 8–13 digits and set the actual duty rate, so confirm the full code for your destination country with your customs broker before filing. To copy a code, hover a row and use the copy button; every code has 8901-style dot notation ready for your commercial invoice.
Chapter 89 FAQ
What does HS code chapter 89 cover?
Chapter 89 of the Harmonized System covers: ships, boats and floating structures. It belongs to section XVII (Vehicles & Transport) and contains 8 four-digit headings, 8901–8908.
How many HS codes are in chapter 89?
Chapter 89 contains 8 four-digit headings and 25 six-digit subheadings. Countries subdivide these further (8–13 digits) in their national tariff schedules, so the full national count is larger.
Is HS code 8901 the same in every country?
Yes. The six-digit level of every code in this chapter is harmonised by the World Customs Organization and identical in all member countries. Digits beyond the sixth (for example the US 10-digit HTS or the EU 8-digit CN) are national and set the actual duty rate.
How do I choose the right code within chapter 89?
Work from the four-digit heading down: pick the heading that best matches your product, then the six-digit subheading that matches its material, form or processing. If two codes seem to fit, customs rules (the General Rules of Interpretation) decide, and when in doubt, confirm with your customs broker before filing.