HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8440.10 – Book-binding machinery; including book-sewing machines
HS code 8440.10 is the 6-digit subheading for book-binding machinery, including book-sewing machines. It is used for perfect binders, saddle stitchers, case makers, book sewing machines and collators.
What HS 8440.10 covers
This HS code covers book-binding machinery, including book-sewing machines, which are specialized industrial equipment used in the post-printing process to assemble printed sheets into finished books, magazines, brochures, and other bound materials. This machinery performs various binding methods, from traditional thread sewing for durability to modern adhesive (perfect) binding, saddle stitching, and case making. It is indispensable for the publishing, printing, and graphic arts industries, enabling high-volume production of bound documents. Importers are typically large printing houses, book manufacturers, and commercial binderies seeking to enhance automation, speed, and quality in their finishing operations. Leading exporters include countries with strong traditions in precision engineering and printing technology, such as Germany, Italy, and Japan, which offer advanced and highly automated binding solutions to a global market.
- Covers
- Perfect binders
- Saddle stitchers
- Case makers
- Book sewing machines
- Collators
- Industrial trimmers
- Laminators
- Creasers
- Folding machines
- Examples
- Heidelberg Stahlfolder
- Kolbus perfect binders
- Horizon saddle stitchers
- Muller Martini book sewing machines
Codes often confused with 8440.10
Common mistake. Can be confused with 8441 (other machinery for working paper pulp, paper or paperboard) if the machinery performs general paper processing rather than specific bookbinding functions. The key is the explicit 'book-binding' purpose.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 844010, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 844010 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 21% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 18% 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 $136M 21% of world exports
- 2 Thailand $80M 12% of world exports
- 3 China $64M 10% of world exports
World total: $638M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $117M 18% of world imports
- 2 Germany $44M 6.9% of world imports
- 3 China $37M 5.7% of world imports
World total: $644M 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 8440.10 4
Brazil splits HS 8440.10 into 4 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8440.10.1 Book-sewing machinesDe costurar cadernos Group
- 8440.10.11 Automatic-feed book-sewing machinesCom alimentação automática
- 8440.10.19 Other book-sewing machinesOutros
- 8440.10.20 Book cover makers, over 60 a minuteMáquinas para fabricar capas de papelão, com dispositivo de colagem e capacidade de produção superior a 60 unidades por minuto
- 8440.10.90 Other book-binding machineryOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.40 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8440.10
What is HS code 844010?
HS code 844010 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Book-binding machinery; including book-sewing machines. This HS code covers book-binding machinery, including book-sewing machines, which are specialized industrial equipment used in the post-printing process to assemble printed sheets into finished books, magazines, brochures, and other bound materials. This machinery performs various binding methods, from traditional thread sewing for durability to modern adhesive (perfect) binding, saddle stitching, and case making. It is indispensable for the publishing, printing, and graphic arts industries, enabling high-volume production of bound documents. Importers are typically large printing houses, book manufacturers, and commercial binderies seeking to enhance automation, speed, and quality in their finishing operations. Leading exporters include countries with strong traditions in precision engineering and printing technology, such as Germany, Italy, and Japan, which offer advanced and highly automated binding solutions to a global market.
What products fall under HS code 844010?
Perfect binders, saddle stitchers, case makers, book sewing machines, collators, industrial trimmers, laminators, creasers, folding machines
What are common misclassifications for HS code 844010?
Can be confused with 8441 (other machinery for working paper pulp, paper or paperboard) if the machinery performs general paper processing rather than specific bookbinding functions. The key is the explicit 'book-binding' purpose.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 844010?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 844010 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($136M, 21% of world exports), Thailand ($80M) and China ($64M). World exports came to about $638M, 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 844010?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 844010 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($117M, 18% of world imports), Germany ($44M) and China ($37M). World imports came to about $644M, 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 844010 structured?
HS code 844010 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (40) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 844010?
Brazil splits HS code 844010 into 4 NCM codes: 8440.10.11 (Automatic-feed book-sewing machines), 8440.10.19 (Other book-sewing machines), 8440.10.20 (Book cover makers, over 60 a minute), 8440.10.90 (Other book-binding machinery). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.