HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 8440.90 – Book-binding machinery; including book-sewing machines, parts thereof

HS code 8440.90 is the 6-digit subheading for book-binding machinery, including book-sewing machines, parts thereof. It is used for automatic perfect binders, saddle stitchers, case makers, book sewing machines and three-knife trimmers.

What HS 8440.90 covers

This code encompasses the specialized machinery and their components essential for the bookbinding industry. It includes equipment used in various stages of book production, from gathering and stitching pages to applying covers and finishing. Key players in this trade are often countries with strong publishing sectors or those that serve as manufacturing hubs for industrial machinery. Importers typically include large printing houses, book manufacturers, and commercial binderies looking to upgrade or expand their production capabilities. Exporters are usually industrialized nations with advanced manufacturing capabilities in precision engineering. The trade in these machines reflects the global demand for printed materials, including books, magazines, and brochures, and is influenced by technological advancements in automation and digital printing integration. Understanding the specific type of binding (e.g., perfect binding, saddle stitching, case binding) is crucial for accurate classification and trade analysis. The market for these machines is cyclical, often tied to investment cycles in the printing industry.

Covers
  • Automatic perfect binders
  • Saddle stitchers
  • Case makers
  • Book sewing machines
  • Three-knife trimmers
  • Gathering machines
  • End sheet machines
  • Book block feeders
Examples
  • Kolbus KM 600 Perfect Binder
  • Muller Martini Primera 160 Saddle Stitcher
  • Horizon BQ-470 Perfect Binder
  • AsterPRO Book Sewing Machine
  • Wohlenberg Quickbinder

Codes often confused with 8440.90

Common mistake. This code might be confused with general printing machinery under 8443 or paper processing machinery under 8441, but 844090 specifically covers the binding aspect after printing. Parts are also distinct from general machine parts in 847990.

84.43Printing machinery; used for printing by means of plates, cylinders and other printing components of heading 84.42; other printers, copying machines and facsimile machines, whether or not combined; parts and accessories thereof84.41Machines; for making up paper pulp, paper or paperboard, including cutting machines of all kinds8479.90Machines and mechanical appliances; parts, of those having individual functions

Top exporters and importers of HS code 844090, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 844090 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 26% 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. 1 Germany $49M
  2. 2 Switzerland $46M
  3. 3 Japan $16M

World total: $191M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $52M
  2. 2 Germany $19M
  3. 3 France $16M

World total: $203M 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 8440.90

Brazil does not split HS 8440.90: its NCM code is 8440.90.00.

  1. 8440.90.00 Parts of book-binding machineryPartes

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 8440.90

What is HS code 844090?

HS code 844090 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Book-binding machinery; including book-sewing machines, parts thereof. This code encompasses the specialized machinery and their components essential for the bookbinding industry. It includes equipment used in various stages of book production, from gathering and stitching pages to applying covers and finishing. Key players in this trade are often countries with strong publishing sectors or those that serve as manufacturing hubs for industrial machinery. Importers typically include large printing houses, book manufacturers, and commercial binderies looking to upgrade or expand their production capabilities. Exporters are usually industrialized nations with advanced manufacturing capabilities in precision engineering. The trade in these machines reflects the global demand for printed materials, including books, magazines, and brochures, and is influenced by technological advancements in automation and digital printing integration. Understanding the specific type of binding (e.g., perfect binding, saddle stitching, case binding) is crucial for accurate classification and trade analysis. The market for these machines is cyclical, often tied to investment cycles in the printing industry.

What products fall under HS code 844090?

Automatic perfect binders, Saddle stitchers, Case makers, Book sewing machines, Three-knife trimmers, Gathering machines, End sheet machines, Book block feeders

What are common misclassifications for HS code 844090?

This code might be confused with general printing machinery under 8443 or paper processing machinery under 8441, but 844090 specifically covers the binding aspect after printing. Parts are also distinct from general machine parts in 847990.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 844090?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 844090 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($49M, 26% of world exports), Switzerland ($46M) and Japan ($16M). World exports came to about $191M, 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 844090?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 844090 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($52M, 26% of world imports), Germany ($19M) and France ($16M). World imports came to about $203M, 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 844090 structured?

HS code 844090 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 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 844090?

In Brazil, HS code 844090 is NCM 8440.90.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.