HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8419.40 – Distilling or rectifying plant; not used for domestic purposes
HS code 8419.40 is the 6-digit subheading for distilling or rectifying plant, not used for domestic purposes. It is used for alcohol distillation columns, essential oil stills, solvent recovery units, crude oil distillation units and water purification stills (industrial).
What HS 8419.40 covers
This HS code covers industrial-scale distilling and rectifying plants, which are fundamental to a wide range of chemical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and petrochemical industries. These plants are designed to separate liquid mixtures into their component parts based on differences in volatility, producing high-purity substances. From alcohol production and essential oil extraction to petroleum refining and solvent recovery, their applications are vast. International trade is driven by industrial growth, demand for purified chemicals, and the expansion of beverage industries. Importers include chemical manufacturers, distilleries, pharmaceutical companies, and refineries. Exporters are specialized engineering and process equipment manufacturers. Key trade considerations include capacity, energy efficiency, material compatibility (e.g., corrosion resistance), automation levels, and compliance with industry-specific safety and quality standards.
- Covers
- Alcohol distillation columns
- Essential oil stills
- Solvent recovery units
- Crude oil distillation units
- Water purification stills (industrial)
- Fractional distillation plants
- Rectification columns
- Vacuum distillation systems
- Examples
- GEA (distillation plants)
- Alfa Laval (distillation equipment)
- Praj Industries (ethanol plants)
- Sulzer (distillation technology)
- Ziemann Holvrieka (distillery equipment)
Codes often confused with 8419.40
Common mistake. This code is specific to distillation and rectification processes. It should not be confused with general heating or cooling apparatus (841950) or filtration equipment (8421) which perform different functions, even if used in conjunction with distillation.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 841940, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 841940 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 34% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Canada, with 10% 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 $499M 34% of world exports
- 2 India $175M 12% of world exports
- 3 Germany $150M 10% of world exports
World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Canada $142M 10% of world imports
- 2 United States $134M 9.7% of world imports
- 3 Indonesia $80M 5.8% of world imports
World total: $1.4B 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 8419.40 3
Brazil splits HS 8419.40 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8419.40.10 Water distilling plantDe destilação de água
- 8419.40.20 Stills for alcohols, volatile fluids, hydrocarbonsDe destilação ou retificação de álcoois e outros fluidos voláteis ou de hidrocarbonetos
- 8419.40.90 Other distilling or rectifying plantOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.19 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8419.40
What is HS code 841940?
HS code 841940 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Distilling or rectifying plant; not used for domestic purposes. This HS code covers industrial-scale distilling and rectifying plants, which are fundamental to a wide range of chemical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and petrochemical industries. These plants are designed to separate liquid mixtures into their component parts based on differences in volatility, producing high-purity substances. From alcohol production and essential oil extraction to petroleum refining and solvent recovery, their applications are vast. International trade is driven by industrial growth, demand for purified chemicals, and the expansion of beverage industries. Importers include chemical manufacturers, distilleries, pharmaceutical companies, and refineries. Exporters are specialized engineering and process equipment manufacturers. Key trade considerations include capacity, energy efficiency, material compatibility (e.g., corrosion resistance), automation levels, and compliance with industry-specific safety and quality standards.
What products fall under HS code 841940?
Alcohol distillation columns, Essential oil stills, Solvent recovery units, Crude oil distillation units, Water purification stills (industrial), Fractional distillation plants, Rectification columns, Vacuum distillation systems
What are common misclassifications for HS code 841940?
This code is specific to distillation and rectification processes. It should not be confused with general heating or cooling apparatus (841950) or filtration equipment (8421) which perform different functions, even if used in conjunction with distillation.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 841940?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 841940 in UN Comtrade data were China ($499M, 34% of world exports), India ($175M) and Germany ($150M). World exports came to about $1.5B, 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 841940?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 841940 in UN Comtrade data were Canada ($142M, 10% of world imports), the United States ($134M) and Indonesia ($80M). World imports came to about $1.4B, 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.
How is HS code 841940 structured?
HS code 841940 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (19) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (40) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 841940?
Brazil splits HS code 841940 into 3 NCM codes: 8419.40.10 (Water distilling plant), 8419.40.20 (Stills for alcohols, volatile fluids, hydrocarbons), 8419.40.90 (Other distilling or rectifying plant). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.