HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8443.17 – Printing machinery; gravure
HS code 8443.17 is the 6-digit subheading for printing machinery, gravure. It is used for rotogravure presses, packaging gravure machines, publication gravure presses, decorative gravure printers and electronic gravure presses.
What HS 8443.17 covers
Gravure printing machinery is renowned for its exceptional print quality, especially for long production runs and high-volume applications such as magazines, catalogs, flexible packaging, and decorative laminates. These machines employ engraved cylinders, allowing for precise ink transfer and superior tonal reproduction, making them ideal for photographic images and intricate designs. Importers are typically large-scale publishers, packaging converters, and manufacturers of decorative materials who demand consistent, high-fidelity printing over extended periods. Exporters are specialized industrial printing press manufacturers, often at the forefront of precision engineering. Key characteristics include high speed, consistent quality, and the durability of engraved cylinders, which contribute to its cost-effectiveness for very long print jobs.
- Covers
- Rotogravure presses
- Packaging gravure machines
- Publication gravure presses
- Decorative gravure printers
- Electronic gravure presses
- Wide web gravure presses
- Cylinder gravure presses
- Examples
- Bobst Rotomec
- Cerutti R98X
- Koenig & Bauer (KBA) Rotajet
- Daetwyler Gravure
- Schiavi Gravure
Codes often confused with 8443.17
Common mistake. Can be confused with 844311 (reel-fed offset) due to high-volume, web-fed nature, but the printing process (engraved cylinders vs. offset plates) is fundamentally different.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 844317, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 844317 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 41% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Indonesia, with 9.9% 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 $112M 41% of world exports
- 2 Italy $30M 11% of world exports
- 3 Czechia $29M 11% of world exports
World total: $275M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Indonesia $25M 9.9% of world imports
- 2 Germany $24M 9.5% of world imports
- 3 India $22M 8.8% of world imports
World total: $252M 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 8443.17 2
Brazil splits HS 8443.17 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8443.17.10 Rotary photogravure pressesRotativas para heliogravura
- 8443.17.90 Other gravure printing machineryOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.43 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8443.17
What is HS code 844317?
HS code 844317 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Printing machinery; gravure. Gravure printing machinery is renowned for its exceptional print quality, especially for long production runs and high-volume applications such as magazines, catalogs, flexible packaging, and decorative laminates. These machines employ engraved cylinders, allowing for precise ink transfer and superior tonal reproduction, making them ideal for photographic images and intricate designs. Importers are typically large-scale publishers, packaging converters, and manufacturers of decorative materials who demand consistent, high-fidelity printing over extended periods. Exporters are specialized industrial printing press manufacturers, often at the forefront of precision engineering. Key characteristics include high speed, consistent quality, and the durability of engraved cylinders, which contribute to its cost-effectiveness for very long print jobs.
What products fall under HS code 844317?
Rotogravure presses, packaging gravure machines, publication gravure presses, decorative gravure printers, electronic gravure presses, wide web gravure presses, cylinder gravure presses
What are common misclassifications for HS code 844317?
Can be confused with 844311 (reel-fed offset) due to high-volume, web-fed nature, but the printing process (engraved cylinders vs. offset plates) is fundamentally different.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 844317?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 844317 in UN Comtrade data were China ($112M, 41% of world exports), Italy ($30M) and Czechia ($29M). World exports came to about $275M, 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 844317?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 844317 in UN Comtrade data were Indonesia ($25M, 9.9% of world imports), Germany ($24M) and India ($22M). World imports came to about $252M, 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 844317 structured?
HS code 844317 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (43) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (17) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 844317?
Brazil splits HS code 844317 into 2 NCM codes: 8443.17.10 (Rotary photogravure presses), 8443.17.90 (Other gravure printing machinery). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.