HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8442.50 – Plates, cylinders and other printing components; lithographic stones prepared for printing purposes (for example, planed, grained or polished)
HS code 8442.50 is the 6-digit subheading for plates, cylinders and other printing components, lithographic stones prepared for printing purposes (for example, planed, grained or polished). It is used for offset printing plates (aluminum, polymer), flexographic plates, gravure cylinders, letterpress plates and CTP plates.
What HS 8442.50 covers
This HS code encompasses the actual printing components themselves, such as plates, cylinders, and prepared lithographic stones. These items are essential consumables or reusable tools in various printing processes, including offset, flexographic, gravure, and letterpress. The international trade in these components is driven by the constant demand from the global printing industry, which requires a steady supply for producing everything from newspapers and magazines to packaging, labels, and commercial prints. Importers are typically printing companies, packaging firms, and graphic arts businesses. Exporters are specialized manufacturers of printing plates and cylinders, often leveraging advanced materials and imaging technologies. This code reflects the ongoing operational needs of the print sector and the technological advancements in plate-making materials and processes.
- Covers
- Offset printing plates (aluminum, polymer)
- Flexographic plates
- Gravure cylinders
- Letterpress plates
- CTP plates
- Photopolymer plates
- Lithographic stones
- Examples
- FujiFilm CTP Plates
- Kodak Sonora Process Free Plates
- DuPont Cyrel Flexo Plates
- Flint Group Flexo Plates
- Xeikon Dry Toner Plates
Codes often confused with 8442.50
Common mistake. Can be confused with raw materials for making plates (e.g., aluminum sheets) or with the machinery used to *make* these components (844240).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 844250, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 844250 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, 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 China $140M 20% of world exports
- 2 Germany $99M 14% of world exports
- 3 United States $57M 8.1% of world exports
World total: $698M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $59M 8.7% of world imports
- 2 India $53M 7.7% of world imports
- 3 France $32M 4.8% of world imports
World total: $682M 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 8442.50
Brazil does not split HS 8442.50: its NCM code is 8442.50.00.
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 8442.50
What is HS code 844250?
HS code 844250 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Plates, cylinders and other printing components; lithographic stones prepared for printing purposes (for example, planed, grained or polished). This HS code encompasses the actual printing components themselves, such as plates, cylinders, and prepared lithographic stones. These items are essential consumables or reusable tools in various printing processes, including offset, flexographic, gravure, and letterpress. The international trade in these components is driven by the constant demand from the global printing industry, which requires a steady supply for producing everything from newspapers and magazines to packaging, labels, and commercial prints. Importers are typically printing companies, packaging firms, and graphic arts businesses. Exporters are specialized manufacturers of printing plates and cylinders, often leveraging advanced materials and imaging technologies. This code reflects the ongoing operational needs of the print sector and the technological advancements in plate-making materials and processes.
What products fall under HS code 844250?
Offset printing plates (aluminum, polymer), flexographic plates, gravure cylinders, letterpress plates, CTP plates, photopolymer plates, lithographic stones
What are common misclassifications for HS code 844250?
Can be confused with raw materials for making plates (e.g., aluminum sheets) or with the machinery used to *make* these components (844240).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 844250?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 844250 in UN Comtrade data were China ($140M, 20% of world exports), Germany ($99M) and the United States ($57M). World exports came to about $698M, 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 844250?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 844250 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($59M, 8.7% of world imports), India ($53M) and France ($32M). World imports came to about $682M, 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 844250 structured?
HS code 844250 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 (50) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 844250?
In Brazil, HS code 844250 is NCM 8442.50.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.