HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8459.10 – Machine-tools; way-type unit head machines, for drilling, boring, milling, threading or tapping by removing metal, other than lathes of heading no. 8458
HS code 8459.10 is the 6-digit subheading for machine-tools, way-type unit head machines, for drilling, boring, milling, threading or tapping by removing metal, other than lathes of heading no. 8458. It is used for way-type drilling machine, unit head boring machine, multi-spindle drilling unit, way-type milling machine and automatic tapping unit.
What HS 8459.10 covers
This category covers "way-type unit head machines," which are specialized machine tools built from modular units (heads) mounted on ways, designed for performing specific metal removal operations like drilling, boring, milling, threading, or tapping. Crucially, they are distinct from lathes (heading 8458). These machines are highly efficient for high-volume production of parts requiring multiple operations in a fixed sequence, often integrated into transfer lines. They are characterized by their robust construction and ability to perform precise, repetitive tasks. Industries such as automotive, heavy equipment, and appliance manufacturing frequently import and export these machines to automate and optimize their production processes. Importers are typically countries with large-scale manufacturing needs, while exporters are established machine tool producers. Their strength lies in dedicated, high-throughput applications where flexibility is less critical than speed and consistency.
- Covers
- Way-type drilling machine
- Unit head boring machine
- Multi-spindle drilling unit
- Way-type milling machine
- Automatic tapping unit
- Transfer line drilling station
- Modular machining unit
- Examples
- Gilman way-type machines
- Kingsbury rotary indexing machines (with unit heads)
- Felsomat unit head machines
- Hydromat (individual unit heads)
- Chiron (configured for specific unit operations)
Codes often confused with 8459.10
Common mistake. Can be confused with 845720 (unit construction machines) or 84592x/84595x (general drilling/milling machines), but 845910 specifically refers to "way-type unit head machines" for these operations, emphasizing their modular, linear movement design.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 845910, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 845910 in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 19% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 12% 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 $10M 19% of world exports
- 2 France $8.8M 16% of world exports
- 3 Spain $7.6M 14% of world exports
World total: $56M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $6.7M 12% of world imports
- 2 Netherlands $6.4M 11% of world imports
- 3 Czechia $5.8M 9.9% of world imports
World total: $58M 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 8459.10
Brazil does not split HS 8459.10: its NCM code is 8459.10.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.59 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8459.10
What is HS code 845910?
HS code 845910 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Machine-tools; way-type unit head machines, for drilling, boring, milling, threading or tapping by removing metal, other than lathes of heading no. 8458. This category covers "way-type unit head machines," which are specialized machine tools built from modular units (heads) mounted on ways, designed for performing specific metal removal operations like drilling, boring, milling, threading, or tapping. Crucially, they are distinct from lathes (heading 8458). These machines are highly efficient for high-volume production of parts requiring multiple operations in a fixed sequence, often integrated into transfer lines. They are characterized by their robust construction and ability to perform precise, repetitive tasks. Industries such as automotive, heavy equipment, and appliance manufacturing frequently import and export these machines to automate and optimize their production processes. Importers are typically countries with large-scale manufacturing needs, while exporters are established machine tool producers. Their strength lies in dedicated, high-throughput applications where flexibility is less critical than speed and consistency.
What products fall under HS code 845910?
Way-type drilling machine, Unit head boring machine, Multi-spindle drilling unit, Way-type milling machine, Automatic tapping unit, Transfer line drilling station, Modular machining unit
What are common misclassifications for HS code 845910?
Can be confused with 845720 (unit construction machines) or 84592x/84595x (general drilling/milling machines), but 845910 specifically refers to "way-type unit head machines" for these operations, emphasizing their modular, linear movement design.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 845910?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 845910 in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($10M, 19% of world exports), France ($8.8M) and Spain ($7.6M). World exports came to about $56M, 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 845910?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 845910 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($6.7M, 12% of world imports), the Netherlands ($6.4M) and Czechia ($5.8M). World imports came to about $58M, 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 845910 structured?
HS code 845910 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (59) 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 845910?
In Brazil, HS code 845910 is NCM 8459.10.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.