HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8438.50 – Machinery; industrial, for the preparation of meat or poultry
HS code 8438.50 is the 6-digit subheading for machinery, industrial, for the preparation of meat or poultry. It is used for industrial meat grinders, poultry deboning machines, automatic meat slicers, vacuum stuffers and meat mixers.
What HS 8438.50 covers
This HS code covers industrial-scale machinery specifically designed for the preparation of meat or poultry. This includes a wide array of equipment used in slaughterhouses, meat processing plants, and poultry farms for tasks such as deboning, slicing, grinding, mixing, forming, and portioning. These machines are critical for ensuring efficiency, hygiene, and consistency in the global meat supply chain, enabling mass production and compliance with stringent food safety standards. Major importers are countries with large food processing industries or significant meat consumption, such as the United States, China, and Brazil. Exporters are typically technologically advanced nations like Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy, which specialize in precision engineering and automation for the food sector. Key considerations in trade include automation levels, capacity, material hygiene (e.g., stainless steel), and compliance with international food safety regulations.
- Covers
- Industrial meat grinders
- Poultry deboning machines
- Automatic meat slicers
- Vacuum stuffers
- Meat mixers
- Portioning machines
- Tenderizers
- Skinning machines
- Examples
- Marel meat processing lines
- GEA Food Solutions equipment
- Handtmann vacuum fillers
- Weber high-speed slicers
Codes often confused with 8438.50
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 843880 (other food preparation machinery) if the specific meat/poultry function is not clearly defined, or with 843820 (dairy machinery) if processing dairy-based meat alternatives. The key is the explicit 'meat or poultry' preparation.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 843850, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 843850 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 26% 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 Germany $802M 26% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $628M 20% of world exports
- 3 China $283M 9.1% of world exports
World total: $3.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $310M 11% of world imports
- 2 Spain $131M 4.5% of world imports
- 3 Brazil $128M 4.4% of world imports
World total: $2.9B 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 code for 8438.50
Brazil does not split HS 8438.50: its NCM code is 8438.50.00.
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 8438.50
What is HS code 843850?
HS code 843850 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Machinery; industrial, for the preparation of meat or poultry. This HS code covers industrial-scale machinery specifically designed for the preparation of meat or poultry. This includes a wide array of equipment used in slaughterhouses, meat processing plants, and poultry farms for tasks such as deboning, slicing, grinding, mixing, forming, and portioning. These machines are critical for ensuring efficiency, hygiene, and consistency in the global meat supply chain, enabling mass production and compliance with stringent food safety standards. Major importers are countries with large food processing industries or significant meat consumption, such as the United States, China, and Brazil. Exporters are typically technologically advanced nations like Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy, which specialize in precision engineering and automation for the food sector. Key considerations in trade include automation levels, capacity, material hygiene (e.g., stainless steel), and compliance with international food safety regulations.
What products fall under HS code 843850?
Industrial meat grinders, poultry deboning machines, automatic meat slicers, vacuum stuffers, meat mixers, portioning machines, tenderizers, skinning machines
What are common misclassifications for HS code 843850?
This code can be confused with 843880 (other food preparation machinery) if the specific meat/poultry function is not clearly defined, or with 843820 (dairy machinery) if processing dairy-based meat alternatives. The key is the explicit 'meat or poultry' preparation.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 843850?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 843850 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($802M, 26% of world exports), the Netherlands ($628M) and China ($283M). World exports came to about $3.1B, 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 843850?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 843850 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($310M, 11% of world imports), Spain ($131M) and Brazil ($128M). World imports came to about $2.9B, 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 843850 structured?
HS code 843850 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 (50) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 843850?
In Brazil, HS code 843850 is NCM 8438.50.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.