HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8423.81 – Weighing machines; other than personal, conveyor or constant weight scales, having a maximum weighing capacity not exceeding 30kg (excluding balances of a sensitivity of 5cg or better)
HS code 8423.81 is the 6-digit subheading for weighing machines, other than personal, conveyor or constant weight scales, having a maximum weighing capacity not exceeding 30kg (excluding balances of a sensitivity of 5cg or better). It is used for retail scales with price computing, postal scales, bench scales (up to 30kg), portion control scales and checkweighers (light duty).
What HS 8423.81 covers
This category covers a wide range of general-purpose industrial and commercial weighing machines with a maximum capacity up to 30 kg, excluding personal, continuous conveyor, or constant weight scales. These are commonly found in retail environments, small workshops, postal services, and light industrial applications where precise measurement of smaller items is required. The international trade in these scales is robust, driven by the needs of businesses for accurate transaction processing, inventory management, and quality control. Importers include retail chains, logistics companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, and specialized equipment distributors. Exporters are typically countries with established manufacturing capabilities in electronics and precision instruments. Key considerations include accuracy, durability, ease of use, connectivity options (e.g., for POS systems), and compliance with local trade measurement regulations. The market sees continuous innovation in digital features and user interfaces.
- Covers
- Retail scales with price computing
- Postal scales
- Bench scales (up to 30kg)
- Portion control scales
- Checkweighers (light duty)
- Shipping scales
- Laboratory scales (non-precision, <30kg)
- Examples
- Mettler Toledo bRite Retail Scales
- Ohaus Defender 3000 Bench Scales
- Adam Equipment CPWplus Scales
- Dymo M25 Digital Postal Scale
- Brecknell B140 Bench Scale
Codes often confused with 8423.81
Common mistake. This code is differentiated from personal scales (842310) by its commercial/industrial nature and from high-precision laboratory balances (often 9016) by its sensitivity exclusion. It's also distinct from higher capacity industrial scales (842382, 842389).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 842381, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 842381 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 13% 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 $222M 26% of world exports
- 2 Germany $205M 24% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $67M 8.0% of world exports
World total: $839M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $105M 13% of world imports
- 2 Germany $70M 8.4% of world imports
- 3 Italy $62M 7.4% of world imports
World total: $833M 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 8423.81 2
Brazil splits HS 8423.81 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8423.81.10 Table scales up to 30 kg, recording or labellingDe mesa, com dispositivo registrador ou impressor de etiquetas
- 8423.81.90 Other scales of 30 kg capacity or lessOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.23 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8423.81
What is HS code 842381?
HS code 842381 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Weighing machines; other than personal, conveyor or constant weight scales, having a maximum weighing capacity not exceeding 30kg (excluding balances of a sensitivity of 5cg or better). This category covers a wide range of general-purpose industrial and commercial weighing machines with a maximum capacity up to 30 kg, excluding personal, continuous conveyor, or constant weight scales. These are commonly found in retail environments, small workshops, postal services, and light industrial applications where precise measurement of smaller items is required. The international trade in these scales is robust, driven by the needs of businesses for accurate transaction processing, inventory management, and quality control. Importers include retail chains, logistics companies, small and medium-sized enterprises, and specialized equipment distributors. Exporters are typically countries with established manufacturing capabilities in electronics and precision instruments. Key considerations include accuracy, durability, ease of use, connectivity options (e.g., for POS systems), and compliance with local trade measurement regulations. The market sees continuous innovation in digital features and user interfaces.
What products fall under HS code 842381?
Retail scales with price computing, Postal scales, Bench scales (up to 30kg), Portion control scales, Checkweighers (light duty), Shipping scales, Laboratory scales (non-precision, <30kg)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 842381?
This code is differentiated from personal scales (842310) by its commercial/industrial nature and from high-precision laboratory balances (often 9016) by its sensitivity exclusion. It's also distinct from higher capacity industrial scales (842382, 842389).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 842381?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 842381 in UN Comtrade data were China ($222M, 26% of world exports), Germany ($205M) and the Netherlands ($67M). World exports came to about $839M, 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 842381?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 842381 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($105M, 13% of world imports), Germany ($70M) and Italy ($62M). World imports came to about $833M, 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 842381 structured?
HS code 842381 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (23) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (81) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 842381?
Brazil splits HS code 842381 into 2 NCM codes: 8423.81.10 (Table scales up to 30 kg, recording or labelling), 8423.81.90 (Other scales of 30 kg capacity or less). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.