HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8421.29 – Machinery; for filtering or purifying liquids, n.e.c. in item no. 8421.2
HS code 8421.29 is the 6-digit subheading for machinery, for filtering or purifying liquids, n.e.c. in item no. 8421.2. It is used for industrial water purifiers, reverse osmosis systems, ultrafiltration modules, membrane filtration units and sediment filters.
What HS 8421.29 covers
This category covers a broad range of machinery for filtering or purifying liquids, not elsewhere specified in the 8421.2 subheadings, meaning it excludes filters for dairy, beverages, or internal combustion engines. It's a critical code for industrial applications, including water treatment, chemical processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and food processing (outside of specific beverage/dairy filters). Importers include municipal water authorities, industrial plants, and specialized equipment distributors, while exporters are often countries with advanced manufacturing capabilities in filtration technology. The trade in these goods is driven by environmental regulations, public health concerns, and the need for process purity in various industries, making them essential for modern infrastructure and manufacturing.
- Covers
- Industrial water purifiers
- Reverse osmosis systems
- Ultrafiltration modules
- Membrane filtration units
- Sediment filters
- Activated carbon liquid filters
- Chemical process filters
- Examples
- Pall Corporation industrial filters
- Suez water treatment systems
- GE Water & Process Technologies
- Brita water filter systems (industrial scale)
Codes often confused with 8421.29
Common mistake. Often confused with 842121 (dairy filters) or 842122 (beverage filters) if the specific application is known, or 842123 if for internal combustion engines.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 842129, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 842129 in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 11% 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 United States $3.1B 21% of world exports
- 2 Germany $2.7B 18% of world exports
- 3 China $2.0B 13% of world exports
World total: $14.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $1.7B 11% of world imports
- 2 China $1.2B 8.0% of world imports
- 3 France $1.1B 7.0% of world imports
World total: $15.3B 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 8421.29 5
Brazil splits HS 8421.29 into 5 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8421.29.1 Of a kind used in haemodialysisDo tipo utilizado em hemodiálise Group
- 8421.29.11 Capillary haemodialysis filtersCapilares
- 8421.29.19 Other haemodialysis filtering apparatusOutros
- 8421.29.20 Reverse osmosis apparatusAparelho de osmose inversa
- 8421.29.30 Filter pressesFiltros-prensa
- 8421.29.90 Other liquid filtering or purifying machineryOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.21 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8421.29
What is HS code 842129?
HS code 842129 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Machinery; for filtering or purifying liquids, n.e.c. in item no. 8421.2. This category covers a broad range of machinery for filtering or purifying liquids, not elsewhere specified in the 8421.2 subheadings, meaning it excludes filters for dairy, beverages, or internal combustion engines. It's a critical code for industrial applications, including water treatment, chemical processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and food processing (outside of specific beverage/dairy filters). Importers include municipal water authorities, industrial plants, and specialized equipment distributors, while exporters are often countries with advanced manufacturing capabilities in filtration technology. The trade in these goods is driven by environmental regulations, public health concerns, and the need for process purity in various industries, making them essential for modern infrastructure and manufacturing.
What products fall under HS code 842129?
Industrial water purifiers, reverse osmosis systems, ultrafiltration modules, membrane filtration units, sediment filters, activated carbon liquid filters, chemical process filters
What are common misclassifications for HS code 842129?
Often confused with 842121 (dairy filters) or 842122 (beverage filters) if the specific application is known, or 842123 if for internal combustion engines.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 842129?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 842129 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($3.1B, 21% of world exports), Germany ($2.7B) and China ($2.0B). World exports came to about $14.8B, 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 842129?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 842129 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($1.7B, 11% of world imports), China ($1.2B) and France ($1.1B). World imports came to about $15.3B, 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 842129 structured?
HS code 842129 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (21) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (29) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 842129?
Brazil splits HS code 842129 into 5 NCM codes: 8421.29.11 (Capillary haemodialysis filters), 8421.29.19 (Other haemodialysis filtering apparatus), 8421.29.20 (Reverse osmosis apparatus), 8421.29.30 (Filter presses), 8421.29.90 (Other liquid filtering or purifying machinery). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.