HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8438.20 – Machinery; industrial, for the manufacture of confectionery, cocoa or chocolate
HS code 8438.20 is the 6-digit subheading for machinery, industrial, for the manufacture of confectionery, cocoa or chocolate. It is used for chocolate conches, candy depositors, sugar boilers, cocoa bean roasters and chocolate tempering machines.
What HS 8438.20 covers
This HS code encompasses industrial machinery specifically engineered for the production of confectionery, cocoa, and chocolate products. This includes a diverse range of equipment for processes such as mixing, refining, conching, tempering, molding, and packaging of sweets, chocolates, and cocoa derivatives. These machines are fundamental to large-scale candy and chocolate factories, enabling the precise and efficient creation of a vast array of consumer products. Importers are typically major confectionery and chocolate manufacturers, as well as smaller specialized producers looking to scale up operations. Exporters are often countries with a strong tradition in confectionery production and advanced engineering capabilities in food processing technology. Key considerations include the precision of temperature control, mixing capabilities, hygiene standards, and the ability to handle various ingredients and product forms, all crucial for maintaining product quality and consistency.
- Covers
- Chocolate conches
- Candy depositors
- Sugar boilers
- Cocoa bean roasters
- Chocolate tempering machines
- Gummy candy molders
- Enrobing machines
- Wafer baking ovens
- Examples
- Bühler chocolate processing lines
- Aasted tempering machines
- Sollich enrobers
- Bosch Packaging Technology (confectionery)
- Caotech cocoa processing equipment
Codes often confused with 8438.20
Common mistake. This code is specific to confectionery, cocoa, and chocolate manufacturing, differentiating it from general food processing machinery under 843890 or machinery for other food products like bakery (843810) or sugar (843830).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 843820, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 843820 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 31% 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 Germany $459M 31% of world exports
- 2 Italy $210M 14% of world exports
- 3 Netherlands $187M 13% of world exports
World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $192M 13% of world imports
- 2 Türkiye $132M 8.9% of world imports
- 3 United Arab Emirates* ~$77M 5.2% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $1.5B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 8438.20 3
Brazil splits HS 8438.20 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8438.20.1 For the confectionery industryPara as indústrias de confeitaria Group
- 8438.20.11 Chocolate bonbon moulders, 150 kg/h or morePara fabricar bombons de chocolate por moldagem, de capacidade de produção igual ou superior a 150 kg/h
- 8438.20.19 Other confectionery machineryOutros
- 8438.20.90 Cocoa or chocolate machinery, not confectioneryOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.38 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8438.20
What is HS code 843820?
HS code 843820 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Machinery; industrial, for the manufacture of confectionery, cocoa or chocolate. This HS code encompasses industrial machinery specifically engineered for the production of confectionery, cocoa, and chocolate products. This includes a diverse range of equipment for processes such as mixing, refining, conching, tempering, molding, and packaging of sweets, chocolates, and cocoa derivatives. These machines are fundamental to large-scale candy and chocolate factories, enabling the precise and efficient creation of a vast array of consumer products. Importers are typically major confectionery and chocolate manufacturers, as well as smaller specialized producers looking to scale up operations. Exporters are often countries with a strong tradition in confectionery production and advanced engineering capabilities in food processing technology. Key considerations include the precision of temperature control, mixing capabilities, hygiene standards, and the ability to handle various ingredients and product forms, all crucial for maintaining product quality and consistency.
What products fall under HS code 843820?
Chocolate conches, Candy depositors, Sugar boilers, Cocoa bean roasters, Chocolate tempering machines, Gummy candy molders, Enrobing machines, Wafer baking ovens
What are common misclassifications for HS code 843820?
This code is specific to confectionery, cocoa, and chocolate manufacturing, differentiating it from general food processing machinery under 843890 or machinery for other food products like bakery (843810) or sugar (843830).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 843820?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 843820 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($459M, 31% of world exports), Italy ($210M) and the Netherlands ($187M). 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 843820?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 843820 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($192M, 13% of world imports), Türkiye ($132M) and the United Arab Emirates (about $77M). World imports 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.
How is HS code 843820 structured?
HS code 843820 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (38) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 843820?
Brazil splits HS code 843820 into 3 NCM codes: 8438.20.11 (Chocolate bonbon moulders, 150 kg/h or more), 8438.20.19 (Other confectionery machinery), 8438.20.90 (Cocoa or chocolate machinery, not confectionery). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.