HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8449.00 – Machinery; for manufacture or finishing felt or non-wovens in the piece or in shapes, including machinery for making felt hats, blocks for making hats
HS code 8449.00 is the 6-digit subheading for machinery, for manufacture or finishing felt or non-wovens in the piece or in shapes, including machinery for making felt hats, blocks for making hats. It is used for needle punching machines, thermal bonding lines, hydroentanglement machines, felt calendering machines and felt hat blocking machines.
What HS 8449.00 covers
This HS code covers specialized industrial machinery dedicated to the production and finishing of felt and non-woven materials, whether in continuous pieces or specific shapes, including equipment for crafting felt hats. These machines are critical for industries ranging from automotive (for insulation and interior components) to medical (for disposable fabrics) and apparel (for specialized textiles). International trade in these machines is driven by the global demand for non-woven products, which offer versatility and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional woven textiles. Major importers include countries with growing manufacturing sectors and those investing in advanced textile production capabilities, such as China, India, and various Southeast Asian nations. Exporters are typically countries with strong industrial engineering bases, like Germany, Italy, and Japan, which lead in developing sophisticated textile machinery. Key considerations in this trade include the machinery's capacity, automation level, and ability to process various fiber types, reflecting the continuous innovation in non-woven technology.
- Covers
- Needle punching machines
- Thermal bonding lines
- Hydroentanglement machines
- Felt calendering machines
- Felt hat blocking machines
- Non-woven slitting machines
- Fiber opening machines for non-wovens
- Examples
- DiloGroup needle looms
- Andritz non-woven lines
- Autefa Solutions crosslappers
- F.O.R. felt finishing machines
Codes often confused with 8449.00
Common mistake. This code might be confused with general textile machinery under 8447 (knitting/stitch-bonding) or 8448 (auxiliary machinery for textile production) if the specific application to felt or non-wovens is not clearly identified. It's distinct due to its focus on the unique processes of felt and non-woven manufacturing.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 844900, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 844900 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 37% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% 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 $246M 37% of world exports
- 2 Germany $192M 29% of world exports
- 3 Italy $44M 6.5% of world exports
World total: $671M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $84M 14% of world imports
- 2 Türkiye $74M 12% of world imports
- 3 India $67M 11% of world imports
World total: $606M 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 8449.00 5
Brazil splits HS 8449.00 into 5 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8449.00.10 Felt making or finishing machineryMáquinas e aparelhos para fabricação ou acabamento de feltros
- 8449.00.20 Nonwoven fabric making machineryMáquinas e aparelhos para fabricação de falsos tecidos (tecidos não tecidos)
- 8449.00.80 Other felt or nonwoven machinery; hat blocksOutros
- 8449.00.9 PartsPartes Group
- 8449.00.91 Parts of nonwoven making machineryDe máquinas ou aparelhos para fabricação de falsos tecidos (tecidos não tecidos)
- 8449.00.99 Other parts of felt or nonwoven machineryOutras
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.49 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8449.00
What is HS code 844900?
HS code 844900 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Machinery; for manufacture or finishing felt or non-wovens in the piece or in shapes, including machinery for making felt hats, blocks for making hats. This HS code covers specialized industrial machinery dedicated to the production and finishing of felt and non-woven materials, whether in continuous pieces or specific shapes, including equipment for crafting felt hats. These machines are critical for industries ranging from automotive (for insulation and interior components) to medical (for disposable fabrics) and apparel (for specialized textiles). International trade in these machines is driven by the global demand for non-woven products, which offer versatility and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional woven textiles. Major importers include countries with growing manufacturing sectors and those investing in advanced textile production capabilities, such as China, India, and various Southeast Asian nations. Exporters are typically countries with strong industrial engineering bases, like Germany, Italy, and Japan, which lead in developing sophisticated textile machinery. Key considerations in this trade include the machinery's capacity, automation level, and ability to process various fiber types, reflecting the continuous innovation in non-woven technology.
What products fall under HS code 844900?
Needle punching machines, thermal bonding lines, hydroentanglement machines, felt calendering machines, felt hat blocking machines, non-woven slitting machines, fiber opening machines for non-wovens
What are common misclassifications for HS code 844900?
This code might be confused with general textile machinery under 8447 (knitting/stitch-bonding) or 8448 (auxiliary machinery for textile production) if the specific application to felt or non-wovens is not clearly identified. It's distinct due to its focus on the unique processes of felt and non-woven manufacturing.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 844900?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 844900 in UN Comtrade data were China ($246M, 37% of world exports), Germany ($192M) and Italy ($44M). World exports came to about $671M, 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 844900?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 844900 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($84M, 14% of world imports), Türkiye ($74M) and India ($67M). World imports came to about $606M, 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 844900 structured?
HS code 844900 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (49) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (00) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 844900?
Brazil splits HS code 844900 into 5 NCM codes: 8449.00.10 (Felt making or finishing machinery), 8449.00.20 (Nonwoven fabric making machinery), 8449.00.80 (Other felt or nonwoven machinery; hat blocks), 8449.00.91 (Parts of nonwoven making machinery), 8449.00.99 (Other parts of felt or nonwoven machinery). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.