Heading · Section XVII

8901: Cruise ships, excursion boats, ferry-boats, cargo ships, barges and similar vessels for the transport of persons or goods

8901
  • FreeUK
  • 0%–1.7%EU
  • 50%Türkiye
  • FreeUSA
  • US$82.7bnWorld trade in 2024

Heading 8901 is divided into 4 six-digit subheadings and sits in chapter 89, ships, boats and floating structures.

The UK Global Tariff divides heading 8901 into 8 tariff lines; the duty is duty-free.

In the EU Combined Nomenclature, heading 8901 covers 8 tariff lines and the duty is between 0% and 1.7%. 4 of them are duty-free.

The Turkish Customs Tariff Schedule divides heading 8901 into 10 tariff lines; the statutory rate is 50%.

In the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, heading 8901 covers 4 tariff lines and the duty is duty-free.

In 2024, countries exported heading 8901 goods worth US$82.7bn (+6.6% year on year).

The largest exporter was China (US$26.1bn), followed by South Korea.

The biggest buyer was Liberia, with imports of US$16.7bn.

The United Kingdom ranked 39th among 117 exporters with US$88.2m.

The United Kingdom imported US$1.4bn.

Duty rates compared

UK Free Third-country duty 8 tariff lines EU Free – 1.7% Third-country duty 8 tariff lines · average 0.9% Türkiye 50% Statutory rate (Law 474) 10 tariff lines USA Free General (MFN) 4 tariff lines

The Turkish schedule prints the statutory rate set under Customs Law 474. The rate applied at import is laid down in the Import Regime Decision and can be lower, or different by country of origin.

Subheadings 4

World trade in 2024

8901 · US$82.7bn

Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$20.5mUS$20.5m+US$182.9m+US$731.9m+> US$2.7bn

Exports: 117
  1. China: US$26.1bn
  2. South Korea: US$23.9bn
  3. Japan: US$9.1bn
  4. India: US$2.7bn
  5. Germany: US$2.2bn
  6. Italy: US$1.8bn
  7. Singapore: US$1.4bn
  8. Belgium: US$1.2bn
  9. Finland: US$1.2bn
  10. Denmark: US$1.1bn
  11. Angola: US$784.8m
  12. Philippines: US$731.9m
  13. Poland: US$670.3m
  14. Netherlands: US$669.9m
  15. Marshall Islands: US$666.5m
  16. Saudi Arabia: US$639.9m
  17. Türkiye: US$632.1m
  18. France: US$593m
  19. Cyprus: US$583.1m
  20. Thailand: US$485.8m
  21. Norway: US$472.4m
  22. Liberia: US$455.4m
  23. Panama: US$405.7m
  24. Romania: US$404.7m
  25. Hong Kong SAR China: US$363.1m
  26. Indonesia: US$305.5m
  27. Sweden: US$274.3m
  28. United States: US$273.7m
  29. Bermuda: US$182.9m
  30. Vietnam: US$168.1m
  31. Malta: US$131.3m
  32. Spain: US$127.6m
  33. Antigua & Barbuda: US$116.1m
  34. Serbia: US$113.5m
  35. Bahamas: US$102.7m
  36. Taiwan: US$93.2m
  37. Iraq: US$92m
  38. Greece: US$89.4m
  39. United Kingdom: US$88.2m
  40. Mexico: US$75m
  41. Côte d’Ivoire: US$74.2m
  42. Sri Lanka: US$74m
  43. Brunei: US$70.2m
  44. Switzerland: US$67.8m
  45. Nigeria: US$65.4m
  46. Malaysia: US$59.1m
  47. Kuwait: US$49.4m
  48. Australia: US$45.8m
  49. Cayman Islands: US$45.2m
  50. Papua New Guinea: US$44.2m
  51. Jamaica: US$39.8m
  52. Croatia: US$36.5m
  53. Tunisia: US$35.8m
  54. Iceland: US$34.3m
  55. Chile: US$26.3m
  56. Ukraine: US$24.4m
  57. United Arab Emirates: US$22.8m
  58. Barbados: US$20.5m
  59. Portugal: US$18.2m
  60. Lithuania: US$17.6m

Top exporters

RankCountryValueShare
1 China US$26.1bn 31.6%
2 South Korea US$23.9bn 28.9%
3 Japan US$9.1bn 11.1%
4 India US$2.7bn 3.2%
5 Germany US$2.2bn 2.6%
6 Italy US$1.8bn 2.2%
7 Singapore US$1.4bn 1.7%
8 Belgium US$1.2bn 1.5%
9 Finland US$1.2bn 1.5%
10 Denmark US$1.1bn 1.3%

Top importers

RankCountryValueShare
1 Liberia US$16.7bn 20.2%
2 Marshall Islands US$7.8bn 9.5%
3 Panama US$7.2bn 8.8%
4 Singapore US$5.5bn 6.6%
5 Malta US$5.1bn 6.1%
6 France US$4.1bn 5%
7 Germany US$3.7bn 4.5%
8 South Korea US$2.9bn 3.6%
9 Norway US$2.9bn 3.5%
10 Denmark US$2.7bn 3.2%

Legal notes

Additional notes

1. Subheadings 89011010, 89012010, 89013010, 89019010, 89020010, 89032210, 89032310, 89033210, 89033310, 89040091 and 89069010 are to be taken to apply only to vessels, designed as seagoing, having a hull of an overall length (excluding any projecting parts) of not less than 12 m. However, fishing boats and lifeboats, designed as seagoing, shall be considered as seagoing vessels regardless of their length.

2. Subheadings 89051010 and 89059010 are to be taken to apply only to vessels and floating docks, designed as seagoing.

3. For the purpose of heading 8908, the expression ‘vessels and other floating structures for breaking up’ includes the following articles when presented for breaking up, on condition that they have formed part of their normal equipment:

  • spare parts (such as propellers), whether or not in a new condition,

  • movable articles (furniture, kitchen equipment, tableware, etc.) showing clear evidence of use.

Products classified here

Questions and answers

What is the HS code for cruise ships, excursion boats, ferry-boats, cargo ships, barges and similar vessels for the transport of persons or goods?

Cruise ships, excursion boats, ferry-boats, cargo ships, barges and similar vessels for the transport of persons or goods fall under HS heading 8901, part of chapter 89, in section XVII of the Harmonized System.

What is the import duty on cruise ships, excursion boats, ferry-boats, cargo… in the UK?

Under the UK Global Tariff, imports under 8901 from countries without a preferential agreement are free of duty. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.

What is the import duty on cruise ships, excursion boats, ferry-boats, cargo… in the EU?

Under the EU Combined Nomenclature, imports under 8901 from countries without a preferential agreement are charged at 0% to 1.7%, depending on the line. Preferential rates, anti-dumping duties and VAT are not included.

Which country exports the most cruise ships, excursion boats, ferry-boats, cargo…?

China, with US$26.1bn in 2024 (31.6% of world exports).