HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8453.10 – Machinery; for preparing, tanning or working hides, skins or leather, other than sewing machines
HS code 8453.10 is the 6-digit subheading for machinery, for preparing, tanning or working hides, skins or leather, other than sewing machines. It is used for fleshing machines, splitting machines, shaving machines, buffing machines and drying machines.
What HS 8453.10 covers
This HS code covers specialized industrial machinery used in the initial stages of leather production, specifically for preparing, tanning, or working hides, skins, or leather. This excludes general-purpose sewing machines. These machines are crucial for transforming raw animal hides into finished leather, a process involving multiple steps like fleshing, splitting, shaving, drying, and softening. Importers of this machinery are typically tanneries, leather processing plants, and large-scale leather manufacturers globally, particularly in regions with strong livestock industries or significant leather goods production. Exporters are often specialized engineering firms, predominantly from countries known for advanced industrial machinery. Key aspects of trade include the high capital investment required, the need for precision and durability, and the global demand for quality leather, which drives the market for this essential equipment.
- Covers
- Fleshing machines
- Splitting machines
- Shaving machines
- Buffing machines
- Drying machines
- Staking machines
- Measuring machines
- Liming machines
- Examples
- Erretre fleshing machine
- Cartigliano drying tunnel
- Rizzi splitting machine
- Bauce shaving machine
Codes often confused with 8453.10
Common mistake. This code can be confused with 845380 (machinery for making leather articles) or 845320 (footwear machinery), but 845310 specifically covers the *preparation and tanning* of the leather itself, not the manufacturing of final products.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 845310, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 845310 in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 44% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 16% 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 $98M 44% of world exports
- 2 China $88M 40% of world exports
- 3 Germany $11M 5.2% of world exports
World total: $220M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Vietnam* ~$31M 16% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 China $15M 8.1% of world imports
- 3 Indonesia $11M 5.9% of world imports
World total: $188M 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.
Brazil NCM codes for 8453.10 2
Brazil splits HS 8453.10 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.
- 8453.10.10 Leather splitting machines, up to 3,000 mm wideMáquinas para dividir couros com largura útil inferior ou igual a 3.000 mm, com lâmina sem fim, com controle eletrônico programável
- 8453.10.90 Other hide, skin or leather working machineryOutros
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.53 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8453.10
What is HS code 845310?
HS code 845310 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Machinery; for preparing, tanning or working hides, skins or leather, other than sewing machines. This HS code covers specialized industrial machinery used in the initial stages of leather production, specifically for preparing, tanning, or working hides, skins, or leather. This excludes general-purpose sewing machines. These machines are crucial for transforming raw animal hides into finished leather, a process involving multiple steps like fleshing, splitting, shaving, drying, and softening. Importers of this machinery are typically tanneries, leather processing plants, and large-scale leather manufacturers globally, particularly in regions with strong livestock industries or significant leather goods production. Exporters are often specialized engineering firms, predominantly from countries known for advanced industrial machinery. Key aspects of trade include the high capital investment required, the need for precision and durability, and the global demand for quality leather, which drives the market for this essential equipment.
What products fall under HS code 845310?
Fleshing machines, Splitting machines, Shaving machines, Buffing machines, Drying machines, Staking machines, Measuring machines, Liming machines
What are common misclassifications for HS code 845310?
This code can be confused with 845380 (machinery for making leather articles) or 845320 (footwear machinery), but 845310 specifically covers the *preparation and tanning* of the leather itself, not the manufacturing of final products.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 845310?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 845310 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($98M, 44% of world exports), China ($88M) and Germany ($11M). World exports came to about $220M, 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 845310?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 845310 in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $31M, 16% of world imports), China ($15M) and Indonesia ($11M). World imports came to about $188M, 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 845310 structured?
HS code 845310 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (53) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (10) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 845310?
Brazil splits HS code 845310 into 2 NCM codes: 8453.10.10 (Leather splitting machines, up to 3,000 mm wide), 8453.10.90 (Other hide, skin or leather working machinery). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.