HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 8405.10 – Generators; producer gas, water gas, acetylene gas and similar water process gas generators, with or without their purifiers

HS code 8405.10 is the 6-digit subheading for generators, producer gas, water gas, acetylene gas and similar water process gas generators, with or without their purifiers. It is used for acetylene generators, producer gas generators, water gas generators, syngas generators and hydrogen generators (water process).

What HS 8405.10 covers

This HS code covers generators specifically designed to produce gases like producer gas, water gas, acetylene gas, and similar process gases, often incorporating purifiers. These industrial machines are fundamental to various chemical processes, welding applications, and even energy production through gasification. The international trade in these generators is primarily driven by industrial sectors requiring on-site gas generation for manufacturing, metallurgy, and specialized chemical synthesis. Importers are typically chemical plants, heavy industries, and specialized fabrication facilities in developing and developed economies. Exporters are often engineering firms and industrial gas technology providers from countries with strong manufacturing capabilities.

Covers
  • Acetylene generators
  • Producer gas generators
  • Water gas generators
  • Syngas generators
  • Hydrogen generators (water process)
  • Gasification reactors
  • Lime-water acetylene generators
Examples
  • Messer Group acetylene generators
  • Air Products syngas generators
  • Linde gasification plants
  • Praxair industrial gas generators

Codes often confused with 8405.10

Common mistake. Could be confused with other gas generating equipment like air separation units (841960) or general chemical machinery (841989) if the specific 'water process' aspect and the type of gas generated are overlooked.

8419.60Machinery; for liquefying air or gas, not used for domestic purposes8419.89Machinery, plant and laboratory equipment; for treating materials by change of temperature, other than for making hot drinks or cooking or heating food

Top exporters and importers of HS code 840510, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 840510 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 12% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was South Korea, with 12% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 China $79M
  2. 2 Belgium $73M
  3. 3 Italy $53M

World total: $637M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 South Korea $83M
  2. 2 Belgium $53M
  3. 3 Ireland $41M

World total: $720M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

How these figures are built

109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).

Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.

Brazil NCM code for 8405.10

Brazil does not split HS 8405.10: its NCM code is 8405.10.00.

  1. 8405.10.00 Gas generators (producer, water, acetylene gas)Geradores de gás de ar (gás pobre) ou de gás de água, mesmo com depuradores; geradores de acetileno e geradores semelhantes de gás, operados a água, mesmo com depuradores

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.05 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 8405.10

What is HS code 840510?

HS code 840510 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Generators; producer gas, water gas, acetylene gas and similar water process gas generators, with or without their purifiers. This HS code covers generators specifically designed to produce gases like producer gas, water gas, acetylene gas, and similar process gases, often incorporating purifiers. These industrial machines are fundamental to various chemical processes, welding applications, and even energy production through gasification. The international trade in these generators is primarily driven by industrial sectors requiring on-site gas generation for manufacturing, metallurgy, and specialized chemical synthesis. Importers are typically chemical plants, heavy industries, and specialized fabrication facilities in developing and developed economies. Exporters are often engineering firms and industrial gas technology providers from countries with strong manufacturing capabilities.

What products fall under HS code 840510?

Acetylene generators, producer gas generators, water gas generators, syngas generators, hydrogen generators (water process), gasification reactors, lime-water acetylene generators

What are common misclassifications for HS code 840510?

Could be confused with other gas generating equipment like air separation units (841960) or general chemical machinery (841989) if the specific 'water process' aspect and the type of gas generated are overlooked.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 840510?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 840510 in UN Comtrade data were China ($79M, 12% of world exports), Belgium ($73M) and Italy ($53M). World exports came to about $637M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 840510?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 840510 in UN Comtrade data were South Korea ($83M, 12% of world imports), Belgium ($53M) and Ireland ($41M). World imports came to about $720M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.

How is HS code 840510 structured?

HS code 840510 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (05) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 840510?

In Brazil, HS code 840510 is NCM 8405.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.