HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 8471.90 – Magnetic or optical readers, machines for transcribing data onto data media in coded form and machines for processing such data, not elsewhere specified or included

HS code 8471.90 is the 6-digit subheading for magnetic or optical readers, machines for transcribing data onto data media in coded form and machines for processing such data, not elsewhere specified or included. It is used for barcode scanners, QR code readers, magnetic stripe readers, smart card readers and optical mark readers (OMR).

What HS 8471.90 covers

HS 847190 covers specialized machines designed for reading magnetic or optical data, transcribing data onto media in coded form, and processing such data, provided they are not specified elsewhere. This category is vital for automating data capture and entry processes across various industries. Importers and exporters include manufacturers of retail point-of-sale systems, banking equipment, library systems, and data entry service providers. Key considerations in this trade involve the increasing need for efficient and accurate data input, the integration of these devices into larger information systems, and the ongoing evolution of data encoding and reading technologies. These machines streamline operations and enhance data integrity.

Covers
  • Barcode scanners
  • QR code readers
  • Magnetic stripe readers
  • Smart card readers
  • Optical mark readers (OMR)
  • Data transcription machines
  • Check readers
  • RFID readers
Examples
  • Honeywell Xenon 1950g barcode scanner
  • Zebra DS2208 QR code reader
  • Verifone VX 520 card reader
  • Fujitsu fi-7160 document scanner with OCR

Codes often confused with 8471.90

Common mistake. This code can be confused with 847160 (input units) if seen as general input devices, but 847190 is more specific to 'readers' and 'transcribing data onto media.' It's also distinct from 8523 (recorded media) which covers the blank or pre-recorded media itself.

8471.60Units of automatic data processing machines; input or output units, whether or not containing storage units in the same housing85.23Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices, smart cards and other media for the recording of sound or of other phenomena, whether or not recorded, including matrices and masters for the production of discs, excluding products of Chapter 37

Top exporters and importers of HS code 847190, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 847190 in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 15% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, 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. 1 Germany $1.1B
  2. 2 United States $921M
  3. 3 Ireland $677M

World total: $7.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Germany $839M
  2. 2 United States $679M
  3. 3 Spain $376M

World total: $6.8B 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 8471.90 6

Brazil splits HS 8471.90 into 6 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 8471.90.1 Readers or recordersLeitores ou gravadores Group
  2. 8471.90.11 Magnetic card readers and writersDe cartões magnéticos
  3. 8471.90.12 Bar code readersLeitores de códigos de barras
  4. 8471.90.13 Magnetic ink character (MICR) readersLeitores de caracteres magnetizáveis
  5. 8471.90.14 Image scannersDigitalizadores de imagens (scanners)
  6. 8471.90.19 Other data readers and writersOutros
  7. 8471.90.90 Other data transcribing and processing machinesOutros

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.71 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 8471.90

What is HS code 847190?

HS code 847190 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Magnetic or optical readers, machines for transcribing data onto data media in coded form and machines for processing such data, not elsewhere specified or included. HS 847190 covers specialized machines designed for reading magnetic or optical data, transcribing data onto media in coded form, and processing such data, provided they are not specified elsewhere. This category is vital for automating data capture and entry processes across various industries. Importers and exporters include manufacturers of retail point-of-sale systems, banking equipment, library systems, and data entry service providers. Key considerations in this trade involve the increasing need for efficient and accurate data input, the integration of these devices into larger information systems, and the ongoing evolution of data encoding and reading technologies. These machines streamline operations and enhance data integrity.

What products fall under HS code 847190?

Barcode scanners, QR code readers, magnetic stripe readers, smart card readers, optical mark readers (OMR), data transcription machines, check readers, RFID readers

What are common misclassifications for HS code 847190?

This code can be confused with 847160 (input units) if seen as general input devices, but 847190 is more specific to 'readers' and 'transcribing data onto media.' It's also distinct from 8523 (recorded media) which covers the blank or pre-recorded media itself.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 847190?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 847190 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($1.1B, 15% of world exports), the United States ($921M) and Ireland ($677M). World exports came to about $7.8B, 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 847190?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 847190 in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($839M, 12% of world imports), the United States ($679M) and Spain ($376M). World imports came to about $6.8B, 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 847190 structured?

HS code 847190 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (71) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (90) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 847190?

Brazil splits HS code 847190 into 6 NCM codes: 8471.90.11 (Magnetic card readers and writers), 8471.90.12 (Bar code readers), 8471.90.13 (Magnetic ink character (MICR) readers), 8471.90.14 (Image scanners), 8471.90.19 (Other data readers and writers), 8471.90.90 (Other data transcribing and processing machines). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.