Heading 8806

Unmanned aircraft

11 declarable lines

Heading 8806 covers unmanned aircraft, meaning drones and other aircraft flown without a pilot on board. The heading splits first by whether the craft is designed to carry passengers, then separates remote-controlled flight only from all other unmanned aircraft. Within each of those groups the subheading is set by maximum take-off weight bands: 250 g, 7 kg, 25 kg, 150 kg, and over 150 kg.

Products in this heading

Consumer camera drone with a maximum take-off weight under 250 g
Remote-controlled quadcopter used for aerial photography at about 2 kg
Fixed-wing mapping drone with a maximum take-off weight around 10 kg
Agricultural spraying drone weighing about 25 kg
Long-range survey drone above 25 kg but under 150 kg
Passenger-carrying unmanned air taxi
Large cargo drone over 150 kg

How to choose the right subheading

Whether the craft is designed for the carriage of passengers, which puts it in 8806.10.
Whether it is for remote-controlled flight only, which puts it in the 8806.21 to 8806.29 group, or is otherwise controlled, which puts it in 8806.91 to 8806.99.
The maximum take-off weight of the aircraft, stated in grams or kilograms, which selects the weight band.
For craft over 150 kg, use the residual line in the correct group: 8806.29.00.00 for remote-controlled only or 8806.99.00.00 for other.

Often confused with

Manned helicopter or light airplane
Craft with an on-board pilot are not unmanned aircraft.
Heading 8802
Replacement propellers, arms or landing gear for a drone
Parts of unmanned aircraft are classified separately from the aircraft itself.
Heading 8807
Flight simulator used for pilot training on the ground
Ground flying trainers are covered by heading 8805, not by the aircraft heading.
Heading 8805
Lithium battery pack sold separately for a drone
Batteries are classified as batteries, not as aircraft.
Heading 8507
Camera unit sold separately for a drone
A separately shipped camera is classified as a camera, not as part of the aircraft.
Heading 8525

Frequently asked questions

What is the HTS code for a camera drone under 250 g?

A drone for remote-controlled flight only with a maximum take-off weight not more than 250 g is classified under 8806.21.00.00. The general (MFN) duty rate for that line is Free.

What is the duty on drones imported into the United States?

Every declarable line in heading 8806 carries a general (MFN) rate of Free, including 8806.22.00.00 for remote-controlled drones over 250 g but not over 7 kg and 8806.92.00.00 for other drones in the same weight band.

How do I classify a drone weighing more than 25 kg?

First decide whether it flies by remote control only or has other control. Remote-controlled drones over 25 kg but not over 150 kg go under 8806.24.00.00, and other drones in that band go under 8806.94.00.00; both carry a general (MFN) rate of Free.

Guide written from the official schedule text. Rates quoted are general (MFN) rates; check the line page for trade agreement rates and the classification of your exact product.