Heading · Section XVII

8905: Light-vessels, fire-floats, dredgers, floating cranes, and other vessels the navigability of which is subsidiary to their main function; floating docks; floating or submersible drilling or production platforms

8905
  • FreeUK
  • 0%–1.7%EU
  • 30%–40%Türkiye
  • FreeUSA
  • US$20.2bnWorld trade in 2024

Heading 8905 is divided into 3 six-digit subheadings and sits in chapter 89, ships, boats and floating structures.

The UK Global Tariff divides heading 8905 into 5 tariff lines; the duty is duty-free.

In the EU Combined Nomenclature, heading 8905 covers 5 tariff lines and the duty is between 0% and 1.7%. 3 of them are duty-free.

The Turkish Customs Tariff Schedule divides heading 8905 into 5 tariff lines; the statutory rate is between 30% and 40% (average 32%).

In the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, heading 8905 covers 4 tariff lines and the duty is duty-free.

In 2024, countries exported heading 8905 goods worth US$20.2bn (−2.9% year on year).

The largest exporter was China (US$4.8bn), followed by Saudi Arabia.

The biggest buyer was Brazil, with imports of US$1.7bn.

The United Kingdom ranked 9th among 94 exporters with US$668.1m.

The United Kingdom imported US$1.1bn.

Duty rates compared

UK Free Third-country duty 5 tariff lines EU Free – 1.7% Third-country duty 5 tariff lines · average 0.7% Türkiye 30% – 40% Statutory rate (Law 474) 5 tariff lines · average 32% 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 3

World trade in 2024

8905 · US$20.2bn

Trade value (US$) no reported trade < US$4mUS$4m+US$92m+US$588.8m+> US$1.8bn

Exports: 94
  1. China: US$4.8bn
  2. Saudi Arabia: US$2.3bn
  3. South Korea: US$1.8bn
  4. Angola: US$1.4bn
  5. Norway: US$1.4bn
  6. Singapore: US$1.2bn
  7. India: US$992.3m
  8. Indonesia: US$809m
  9. United Kingdom: US$668.1m
  10. Thailand: US$588.8m
  11. Brazil: US$566.7m
  12. Nigeria: US$531m
  13. Netherlands: US$435.1m
  14. Malaysia: US$401.7m
  15. Croatia: US$292m
  16. Türkiye: US$290.4m
  17. United Arab Emirates: US$277.7m
  18. Malta: US$219.5m
  19. Poland: US$202m
  20. Vanuatu: US$120m
  21. Panama: US$93.8m
  22. Italy: US$92.8m
  23. Bahamas: US$92m
  24. Japan: US$80.1m
  25. Germany: US$59.7m
  26. United States: US$54.5m
  27. Spain: US$52.1m
  28. Sri Lanka: US$46.4m
  29. Taiwan: US$42.9m
  30. Cyprus: US$38.2m
  31. Brunei: US$36.7m
  32. Marshall Islands: US$35.6m
  33. Finland: US$30.4m
  34. Denmark: US$25.5m
  35. Liberia: US$25.4m
  36. Estonia: US$21.2m
  37. Vietnam: US$20.7m
  38. Belgium: US$15.1m
  39. South Africa: US$10.2m
  40. Ukraine: US$8.1m
  41. Hong Kong SAR China: US$7.6m
  42. France: US$7m
  43. Canada: US$6.3m
  44. Portugal: US$5m
  45. Senegal: US$4.8m
  46. Tanzania: US$4m
  47. Israel: US$3.3m
  48. Chile: US$3.2m
  49. Greece: US$3m
  50. Egypt: US$2.4m
  51. Sweden: US$2.3m
  52. Uruguay: US$2.1m
  53. Australia: US$2.1m
  54. Kazakhstan: US$2m
  55. Bahrain: US$2m
  56. Myanmar (Burma): US$1.7m
  57. Ghana: US$1.7m
  58. Peru: US$1.6m
  59. Palau: US$1.5m
  60. Colombia: US$1.2m

Top exporters

RankCountryValueShare
1 China US$4.8bn 23.7%
2 Saudi Arabia US$2.3bn 11.3%
3 South Korea US$1.8bn 8.7%
4 Angola US$1.4bn 7%
5 Norway US$1.4bn 7%
6 Singapore US$1.2bn 5.9%
7 India US$992.3m 4.9%
8 Indonesia US$809m 4%
9 United Kingdom US$668.1m 3.3%
10 Thailand US$588.8m 2.9%

Top importers

RankCountryValueShare
1 Brazil US$1.7bn 8.6%
2 Singapore US$1.7bn 8.3%
3 United Arab Emirates US$1.6bn 8%
4 India US$1.3bn 6.5%
5 United States US$1.3bn 6.3%
6 Thailand US$1.1bn 5.7%
7 United Kingdom US$1.1bn 5.5%
8 Malaysia US$838.9m 4.1%
9 Bahamas US$822.1m 4.1%
10 Bahrain US$692.1m 3.4%

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.

Questions and answers

What is the HS code for light-vessels, fire-floats, dredgers, floating cranes, and other vessels the navigability of which is subsidiary to their main function; floating docks; floating or submersible drilling or production platforms?

Light-vessels, fire-floats, dredgers, floating cranes, and other vessels the navigability of which is subsidiary to their main function; floating docks; floating or submersible drilling or production platforms fall under HS heading 8905, part of chapter 89, in section XVII of the Harmonized System.

What is the import duty on light-vessels, fire-floats, dredgers, floating… in the UK?

Under the UK Global Tariff, imports under 8905 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 light-vessels, fire-floats, dredgers, floating… in the EU?

Under the EU Combined Nomenclature, imports under 8905 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 light-vessels, fire-floats, dredgers, floating…?

China, with US$4.8bn in 2024 (23.7% of world exports).