HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 84.47 – Knitting machines, stitch-bonding machines and machines for making gimped yarn, tulle, lace, embroidery, trimmings, braid or net and machines for tufting
What HS 84.47 covers
Heading 8447 covers a diverse range of textile machinery primarily involved in the production of knitted fabrics and other specialized textile structures through looping or stitching methods. This classification is broad, encompassing machines for knitting (both warp and weft), stitch-bonding, and the creation of intricate items like gimped yarn, tulle, lace, embroidery, trimmings, braid, or net, as well as machines for tufting. Its scope includes various types of knitting machines such as circular knitting machines (for seamless garments or tubular fabrics), flat knitting machines (for shaped panels), and warp knitting machines (like Raschel and tricot machines). It also covers highly specialized equipment for producing decorative textiles and surface effects. This heading is critical for trade compliance due to its wide application across the apparel, home textiles, and technical textiles sectors, affecting duties, regulations, and trade statistics. Historically, these machines have evolved to offer immense versatility in fabric construction and design, from basic hosiery to complex industrial nets. As part of Section XVI, this heading clearly distinguishes these loop-forming and specialized textile machines from weaving machines (8446) and yarn preparation machinery (8445), highlighting their unique methods of fabric and decorative textile creation. Accurate classification under 8447 is essential for businesses engaged in producing a vast array of textile products, from garments to technical fabrics.
- Covers
- Circular knitting machines
- Flat knitting machines
- Warp knitting machines
- Raschel machines
- Tricot machines
- Hosiery knitting machines
- Lace-making machines
- Embroidery machines (multi-head and shuttle type)
- Tufting machines (for carpets, rugs)
- Crochet machines
- Braiding machines
- Stitch-bonding machines
- Warp preparation machines for knitting (e.g., warping for knitters)
- Knitting machine needles
- Purl knitting machines
- Interlock knitting machines
- Jacquard knitting machines
- Computerized flat knitting machines
- Seamless garment knitting machines
- Netting machines
- Gimped yarn machines
- Decorative trimming machines.
- Examples
A leading apparel manufacturer in Vietnam, like Vinatex, imports new high-speed circular knitting machines from Santoni in Italy to increase its production of seamless activewear for global brands. These sophisticated machines, classified under 8447, are shipped from Genoa to Ho Chi Minh City, requiring precise customs documentation. In another instance, a Turkish company specializing in home textiles might export advanced tufting machines, manufactured locally, to a new carpet factory in Egypt, facilitating the growth of the regional floor coverings industry. Furthermore, a US-based producer of medical textiles could import specialized warp knitting machines from Karl Mayer in Germany to manufacture high-performance surgical meshes, with shipments from Frankfurt to Baltimore.
Subheadings under 84.47 4
Codes often confused with 84.47
Common mistake. A frequent error is to confuse knitting machines (8447) with weaving machines (8446), despite their fundamental differences in fabric formation. While both produce fabric, the looping action of knitting is distinct from the interlacing of weaving. Another common misclassification involves embroidery machines, which, despite their decorative function, are explicitly listed under 8447 and should not be confused with general sewing machines (8452) or general industrial machinery. Furthermore, parts and accessories specific to 8447 machines should be classified under 8448, not directly under 8447, to avoid incorrect duty rates. The key is to recognize the characteristic loop formation or specialized decorative textile production methods.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 8447, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 8447 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 66% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, with 31% 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 $2.0B 66% of world exports
- 2 Japan $309M 10% of world exports
- 3 Germany $215M 7.2% of world exports
World total: $3.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $878M 31% of world imports
- 2 Vietnam* ~$247M 8.6% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Bangladesh* ~$212M 7.4% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $2.9B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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.
Questions about HS 84.47
What is HS code 8447?
HS code 8447 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Knitting machines, stitch-bonding machines and machines for making gimped yarn, tulle, lace, embroidery, trimmings, braid or net and machines for tufting. Heading 8447 covers a diverse range of textile machinery primarily involved in the production of knitted fabrics and other specialized textile structures through looping or stitching methods. This classification is broad, encompassing machines for knitting (both warp and weft), stitch-bonding, and the creation of intricate items like gimped yarn, tulle, lace, embroidery, trimmings, braid, or net, as well as machines for tufting. Its scope includes various types of knitting machines such as circular knitting machines (for seamless garments or tubular fabrics), flat knitting machines (for shaped panels), and warp knitting machines (like Raschel and tricot machines). It also covers highly specialized equipment for producing decorative textiles and surface effects. This heading is critical for trade compliance due to its wide application across the apparel, home textiles, and technical textiles sectors, affecting duties, regulations, and trade statistics. Historically, these machines have evolved to offer immense versatility in fabric construction and design, from basic hosiery to complex industrial nets. As part of Section XVI, this heading clearly distinguishes these loop-forming and specialized textile machines from weaving machines (8446) and yarn preparation machinery (8445), highlighting their unique methods of fabric and decorative textile creation. Accurate classification under 8447 is essential for businesses engaged in producing a vast array of textile products, from garments to technical fabrics.
What products fall under HS code 8447?
Circular knitting machines, flat knitting machines, warp knitting machines, Raschel machines, tricot machines, hosiery knitting machines, lace-making machines, embroidery machines (multi-head and shuttle type), tufting machines (for carpets, rugs), crochet machines, braiding machines, stitch-bonding machines, warp preparation machines for knitting (e.g., warping for knitters), knitting machine needles, purl knitting machines, interlock knitting machines, jacquard knitting machines, computerized flat knitting machines, seamless garment knitting machines, netting machines, gimped yarn machines, decorative trimming machines.
What are common misclassifications for HS code 8447?
A frequent error is to confuse knitting machines (8447) with weaving machines (8446), despite their fundamental differences in fabric formation. While both produce fabric, the looping action of knitting is distinct from the interlacing of weaving. Another common misclassification involves embroidery machines, which, despite their decorative function, are explicitly listed under 8447 and should not be confused with general sewing machines (8452) or general industrial machinery. Furthermore, parts and accessories specific to 8447 machines should be classified under 8448, not directly under 8447, to avoid incorrect duty rates. The key is to recognize the characteristic loop formation or specialized decorative textile production methods.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 8447?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 8447 in UN Comtrade data were China ($2.0B, 66% of world exports), Japan ($309M) and Germany ($215M). World exports came to about $3.0B, 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 8447?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 8447 in UN Comtrade data were India ($878M, 31% of world imports), Vietnam (about $247M) and Bangladesh (about $212M). World imports came to about $2.9B, 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 8447 structured?
HS code 8447 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 84 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (47) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.