HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8418.69 – Refrigerating or freezing equipment; n.e.c. in heading no. 8418
HS code 8418.69 is the 6-digit subheading for refrigerating or freezing equipment, n.e.c. in heading no. 8418. It is used for industrial chillers, cold storage rooms, blast freezers, ice-making machines (industrial) and laboratory ultra-low freezers.
What HS 8418.69 covers
This broad "not elsewhere specified" (NES) category within heading 8418 covers a wide array of refrigerating or freezing equipment that doesn't fit into the more specific subheadings. This includes industrial-scale refrigeration units, specialized laboratory freezers, cold storage rooms, ice-making machines, and other commercial or industrial cooling systems. International trade in these goods is highly diverse, catering to sectors such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, logistics, and scientific research. Exporters typically possess advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities for complex cooling solutions, while importers range from large corporations building cold chain infrastructure to research institutions requiring precise temperature control. Key trade considerations involve custom specifications, energy efficiency for large-scale operations, compliance with industry-specific regulations (e.g., pharmaceutical GMP), and the use of environmentally friendly refrigerants. The complexity and scale of these systems often lead to project-based trade.
- Covers
- Industrial chillers
- Cold storage rooms
- Blast freezers
- Ice-making machines (industrial)
- Laboratory ultra-low freezers
- Medical refrigerators
- Refrigerated containers (fixed installations)
- Examples
- Thermo Fisher Scientific ultra-low freezers
- Carrier Transicold cold rooms
- York industrial chillers
- Manitowoc ice machines
- Kold-Draft ice makers
Codes often confused with 8418.69
Common mistake. This is a catch-all code, so it's often confused with many other 8418 subheadings if the specific characteristics (e.g., household, chest/upright freezer, display furniture) are not met. It's also sometimes mistaken for 841989 if the primary function is seen as heating or processing rather than pure refrigeration.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 841869, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 841869 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 24% 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 China $3.9B 26% of world exports
- 2 Mexico $1.8B 12% of world exports
- 3 Italy $1.5B 9.9% of world exports
World total: $15.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $3.8B 24% of world imports
- 2 Germany $952M 6.0% of world imports
- 3 China $848M 5.4% of world imports
World total: $15.8B 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 codes for 8418.69 7
Brazil splits HS 8418.69 into 7 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8418.69.10 Non-domestic ice cream making machinesMáquinas não domésticas para preparação de sorvetes
- 8418.69.20 Milk coolersResfriadores de leite
- 8418.69.3 Dispensing units for water, juices or carbonated beveragesUnidades fornecedoras de água, sucos ou bebidas carbonatadas Group
- 8418.69.31 Refrigerated water or juice dispensersDe água ou sucos
- 8418.69.32 Refrigerated carbonated drink dispensersDe bebidas carbonatadas
- 8418.69.40 Compression refrigerating units, max 30,000 frig/hGrupos frigoríficos de compressão com capacidade inferior ou igual a 30.000 frigorias/hora
- 8418.69.9 OtherOutros Group
- 8418.69.91 Lithium bromide absorption water chillersResfriadores de água, de absorção por brometo de lítio
- 8418.69.99 Other refrigerating or freezing equipmentOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.18 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8418.69
What is HS code 841869?
HS code 841869 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Refrigerating or freezing equipment; n.e.c. in heading no. 8418. This broad "not elsewhere specified" (NES) category within heading 8418 covers a wide array of refrigerating or freezing equipment that doesn't fit into the more specific subheadings. This includes industrial-scale refrigeration units, specialized laboratory freezers, cold storage rooms, ice-making machines, and other commercial or industrial cooling systems. International trade in these goods is highly diverse, catering to sectors such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, logistics, and scientific research. Exporters typically possess advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities for complex cooling solutions, while importers range from large corporations building cold chain infrastructure to research institutions requiring precise temperature control. Key trade considerations involve custom specifications, energy efficiency for large-scale operations, compliance with industry-specific regulations (e.g., pharmaceutical GMP), and the use of environmentally friendly refrigerants. The complexity and scale of these systems often lead to project-based trade.
What products fall under HS code 841869?
Industrial chillers, Cold storage rooms, Blast freezers, Ice-making machines (industrial), Laboratory ultra-low freezers, Medical refrigerators, Refrigerated containers (fixed installations)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 841869?
This is a catch-all code, so it's often confused with many other 8418 subheadings if the specific characteristics (e.g., household, chest/upright freezer, display furniture) are not met. It's also sometimes mistaken for 841989 if the primary function is seen as heating or processing rather than pure refrigeration.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 841869?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 841869 in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.9B, 26% of world exports), Mexico ($1.8B) and Italy ($1.5B). World exports came to about $15.4B, 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 841869?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 841869 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($3.8B, 24% of world imports), Germany ($952M) and China ($848M). World imports came to about $15.8B, 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 841869 structured?
HS code 841869 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (18) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (69) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 841869?
Brazil splits HS code 841869 into 7 NCM codes: 8418.69.10 (Non-domestic ice cream making machines), 8418.69.20 (Milk coolers), 8418.69.31 (Refrigerated water or juice dispensers), 8418.69.32 (Refrigerated carbonated drink dispensers), 8418.69.40 (Compression refrigerating units, max 30,000 frig/h), 8418.69.91 (Lithium bromide absorption water chillers), 8418.69.99 (Other refrigerating or freezing equipment). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.