HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8442.40 – Machinery, apparatus and equipment (excluding machines of heading no. 8456 to 8465) for preparing or making printing components; parts thereof
HS code 8442.40 is the 6-digit subheading for machinery, apparatus and equipment (excluding machines of heading no. 8456 to 8465) for preparing or making printing components, parts thereof. It is used for computer-to-plate (CTP) systems, plate processors, proofing systems, film setters and plate exposure units.
What HS 8442.40 covers
This HS code covers machinery, apparatus, and equipment specifically designed for preparing or making printing components, along with their parts. This is a critical segment for the pre-press stage of the printing industry, distinct from the actual printing machines. Importers include commercial printing houses, packaging manufacturers, newspaper publishers, and specialized pre-press service providers who require high-precision equipment to create printing plates, cylinders, and other components. Exporters are typically manufacturers of advanced graphic arts and pre-press technology. The trade is driven by the continuous evolution of printing technologies, including computer-to-plate (CTP) systems and digital imaging, which demand sophisticated machinery to produce high-quality, efficient printing components. This code highlights the technological backbone supporting the global print media and packaging sectors.
- Covers
- Computer-to-plate (CTP) systems
- Plate processors
- Proofing systems
- Film setters
- Plate exposure units
- Gravure cylinder engravers
- Flexographic plate imagers
- Examples
- Heidelberg Suprasetter CTP
- Kodak Magnus CTP
- Agfa Avalon CTP
- Esko CDI Imagers
- Hell Gravure Engravers
Codes often confused with 8442.40
Common mistake. Often confused with actual printing machines (8443) or general graphic arts equipment, but this code is specifically for preparing the *components* used in printing.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 844240, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 844240 in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 18% 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 Italy $28M 18% of world exports
- 2 Germany $24M 16% of world exports
- 3 United States $16M 10% of world exports
World total: $152M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $23M 13% of world imports
- 2 Malaysia $23M 13% of world imports
- 3 Germany $17M 9.6% of world imports
World total: $175M 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 8442.40 3
Brazil splits HS 8442.40 into 3 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8442.40.10 Parts of phototypesetting machinesDe máquinas do item 8442.30.10
- 8442.40.20 Parts of other typesetting machinesDe máquinas do item 8442.30.20
- 8442.40.90 Other parts of plate-making machineryOutras
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.42 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8442.40
What is HS code 844240?
HS code 844240 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Machinery, apparatus and equipment (excluding machines of heading no. 8456 to 8465) for preparing or making printing components; parts thereof. This HS code covers machinery, apparatus, and equipment specifically designed for preparing or making printing components, along with their parts. This is a critical segment for the pre-press stage of the printing industry, distinct from the actual printing machines. Importers include commercial printing houses, packaging manufacturers, newspaper publishers, and specialized pre-press service providers who require high-precision equipment to create printing plates, cylinders, and other components. Exporters are typically manufacturers of advanced graphic arts and pre-press technology. The trade is driven by the continuous evolution of printing technologies, including computer-to-plate (CTP) systems and digital imaging, which demand sophisticated machinery to produce high-quality, efficient printing components. This code highlights the technological backbone supporting the global print media and packaging sectors.
What products fall under HS code 844240?
Computer-to-plate (CTP) systems, plate processors, proofing systems, film setters, plate exposure units, gravure cylinder engravers, flexographic plate imagers
What are common misclassifications for HS code 844240?
Often confused with actual printing machines (8443) or general graphic arts equipment, but this code is specifically for preparing the *components* used in printing.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 844240?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 844240 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($28M, 18% of world exports), Germany ($24M) and the United States ($16M). World exports came to about $152M, 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 844240?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 844240 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($23M, 13% of world imports), Malaysia ($23M) and Germany ($17M). World imports came to about $175M, 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 844240 structured?
HS code 844240 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (42) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (40) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 844240?
Brazil splits HS code 844240 into 3 NCM codes: 8442.40.10 (Parts of phototypesetting machines), 8442.40.20 (Parts of other typesetting machines), 8442.40.90 (Other parts of plate-making machinery). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.