NAICS 423860

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the federal standard for classifying business establishments to support the collection, analysis, and publication of statistics about the U.S. economy. It is maintained by the U.S. Census Bureau in coordination with Canada and Mexico to ensure comparability across North America. ¹

NAICS 423860 covers establishments primarily engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of transportation equipment and supplies, excluding motor vehicles and marine pleasure craft. Illustrative examples include wholesaling aircraft, railroad cars, ships, and motorized passenger golf carts. This industry is within Sector 42 (Wholesale Trade) and Subsector 423 (Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods). ¹

See also on G2X:

• G2X — NAICS 423860 overview
• G2X — NAICS 423110
• G2X — NAICS 423910

What this NAICS covers

• Merchant wholesale distribution of transportation equipment and supplies (except motor vehicles and marine pleasure craft). ¹
• Aircraft wholesaling (complete airframes). ¹
• Railroad cars and related rolling stock wholesaling (complete rail cars). ¹
• Ships and other non‑pleasure watercraft wholesaling (complete vessels). ¹
• Motorized passenger golf carts wholesaling. ¹
• Marine propulsion machinery, equipment, and parts wholesaling (e.g., propellers, propulsion shafts). Not specified by official sources. ¹

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Key industry boundaries and cross‑references

• Excludes motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts and supplies; those are classified to Industry Group 4231. ¹
• Excludes marine pleasure craft (e.g., yachts) and their equipment; those are classified under 423910. ¹

Where federal statistics are published for this code

• Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (AWTS) publishes national estimates by 2‑ to 4‑digit NAICS, including merchant wholesalers in Sector 42. ³
• The Economic Census publishes detailed industry statistics for Sector 42; 2022 data are disseminated on the 2022 NAICS basis. ⁴

Frequently asked questions

• What activities are included in NAICS 423860?

  • Establishments primarily wholesale transportation equipment and supplies other than motor vehicles and marine pleasure craft. Examples include aircraft, railroad cars, ships, and motorized passenger golf carts. These are merchant wholesalers of durable goods in Sector 42, Subsector 423. ¹

• How does NAICS 423860 differ from motor‑vehicle wholesalers?

  • Motor vehicles and motor‑vehicle parts and supplies are outside this industry. Those activities are classified to Industry Group 4231. NAICS 423860 focuses on non‑motor‑vehicle transportation equipment and supplies, including aircraft, rail cars, and non‑pleasure watercraft. ¹

• Are marine pleasure craft wholesalers part of NAICS 423860?

  • No. Marine pleasure craft and related wholesale activities are classified under NAICS 423910, not 423860. Non‑pleasure vessels (e.g., commercial ships) fall within 423860 when wholesaled. ¹

• Did the 2022 NAICS update change NAICS 423860?

  • The Census Bureau details its 2022 NAICS implementation and sector changes, but no code‑specific change for 423860 is identified in public summaries. Not specified by official sources. ²

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 423860 overview
• U.S. Census Bureau — NAICS 2017 entry for 423860 (official definition and examples). ¹
• Census — The Census Bureau’s Implementation of the 2022 NAICS (vintage and timeline). ²
• Census — Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (scope and publication levels). ³
• Census — Economic Census: data tables and releases (Sector 42). ⁴

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau. NAICS 2017 Code 423860 — Transportation Equipment and Supplies (except Motor Vehicle) Merchant Wholesalers. https://www.census.gov/naics/?input=423860&year=2017&details=423860
2. U.S. Census Bureau. The Census Bureau’s Implementation of the 2022 NAICS. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/guidance/understanding-naics/2022-naics.html
3. U.S. Census Bureau. Annual Wholesale Trade Survey (AWTS). https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/awts.html
4. U.S. Census Bureau. Economic Census — Data Tables. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/data/tables.html
5. U.S. General Services Administration. Product and Service Codes (PSC) Manual. https://www.acquisition.gov/psc-manual