HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8438.60 – Machinery; industrial, for the preparation of fruits, nuts or vegetables
HS code 8438.60 is the 6-digit subheading for machinery, industrial, for the preparation of fruits, nuts or vegetables. It is used for industrial fruit peelers, vegetable dicers, nut cracking machines, blanchers and fruit washers.
What HS 8438.60 covers
This HS code encompasses industrial machinery dedicated to the preparation of fruits, nuts, or vegetables. This includes equipment for washing, peeling, pitting, slicing, dicing, blanching, juicing, and sorting these agricultural products on a large scale. Such machinery is vital for the processed food industry, including canning, freezing, drying, and juice production, contributing significantly to food preservation and reducing post-harvest losses. Countries with robust agricultural sectors and large food processing industries, like the US, China, and India, are major importers. Leading exporters are often European nations such as Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands, known for their engineering expertise in food processing technology. Trade in these machines is driven by demand for convenience foods, efficiency in processing, and adherence to food safety and quality standards.
- Covers
- Industrial fruit peelers
- Vegetable dicers
- Nut cracking machines
- Blanchers
- Fruit washers
- Destoners
- Juice extractors
- Optical sorters
- Vegetable cutters
- Examples
- TOMRA sorting machines
- Urschel dicers
- Krones fruit processing lines
- GEA vegetable processing equipment
Codes often confused with 8438.60
Common mistake. Confusion may arise with 843880 (other food preparation machinery) if the machinery's primary function isn't explicitly for fruits, nuts, or vegetables, or with 843810 (bakery machinery) if processing ingredients for baked goods. Specificity of the raw material is key.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 843860, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 843860 in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 8.7% 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 Italy $214M 20% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $213M 20% of world exports
- 3 China $156M 15% of world exports
World total: $1.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $82M 8.7% of world imports
- 2 United States $77M 8.1% of world imports
- 3 Türkiye $47M 5.0% of world imports
World total: $948M 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 8438.60
Brazil does not split HS 8438.60: its NCM code is 8438.60.00.
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 8438.60
What is HS code 843860?
HS code 843860 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Machinery; industrial, for the preparation of fruits, nuts or vegetables. This HS code encompasses industrial machinery dedicated to the preparation of fruits, nuts, or vegetables. This includes equipment for washing, peeling, pitting, slicing, dicing, blanching, juicing, and sorting these agricultural products on a large scale. Such machinery is vital for the processed food industry, including canning, freezing, drying, and juice production, contributing significantly to food preservation and reducing post-harvest losses. Countries with robust agricultural sectors and large food processing industries, like the US, China, and India, are major importers. Leading exporters are often European nations such as Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands, known for their engineering expertise in food processing technology. Trade in these machines is driven by demand for convenience foods, efficiency in processing, and adherence to food safety and quality standards.
What products fall under HS code 843860?
Industrial fruit peelers, vegetable dicers, nut cracking machines, blanchers, fruit washers, destoners, juice extractors, optical sorters, vegetable cutters
What are common misclassifications for HS code 843860?
Confusion may arise with 843880 (other food preparation machinery) if the machinery's primary function isn't explicitly for fruits, nuts, or vegetables, or with 843810 (bakery machinery) if processing ingredients for baked goods. Specificity of the raw material is key.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 843860?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 843860 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($214M, 20% of world exports), the Netherlands ($213M) and China ($156M). World exports came to about $1.1B, 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 843860?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 843860 in UN Comtrade data were India ($82M, 8.7% of world imports), the United States ($77M) and Türkiye ($47M). World imports came to about $948M, 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 843860 structured?
HS code 843860 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 (60) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 843860?
In Brazil, HS code 843860 is NCM 8438.60.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.