HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8479.40 – Machines; for making rope or cable
HS code 8479.40 is the 6-digit subheading for machines, for making rope or cable. It is used for wire stranding machines, cable twisting machines, rope braiding machines, wire rope closing machines and optical fiber cabling machines.
What HS 8479.40 covers
This HS code encompasses specialized industrial machinery designed for the manufacturing of ropes, cables, and similar cordage products. This includes a wide array of equipment used to twist, braid, or lay strands of natural or synthetic fibers, or metal wires, into finished ropes, electrical cables, optical fiber cables, and wire ropes. These machines are critical for industries ranging from telecommunications and power transmission to marine, construction, and textile sectors. Countries with significant infrastructure development, such as China, India, and the USA, are major importers of these machines to support their growing demand for cables and ropes. Exporters are typically specialized engineering firms from countries like Germany, Italy, and Japan, known for their precision and high-speed manufacturing capabilities. Key aspects in trade include the type of material processed (copper, aluminum, optical fiber, synthetic fibers), the desired product (power cable, communication cable, mooring rope), and the level of automation.
- Covers
- Wire stranding machines
- Cable twisting machines
- Rope braiding machines
- Wire rope closing machines
- Optical fiber cabling machines
- Extruders for cable insulation
- Armoring machines for cables
- Bunching machines for wires
- Examples
- Rosendahl Nextrom cable lines
- Maillefer cable machinery
- Niehoff wire drawing and stranding machines
- Gauder Group (Setic, Pourtier) stranding machines
- SKET Verseilmaschinenbau rope machines
Codes often confused with 8479.40
Common mistake. This code can be confused with general textile machinery (Chapter 84, specifically 8447 for knitting/braiding) or wire drawing machines (8463), but 847940 is specific to the *assembly* of strands into ropes or cables, not the production of the individual threads or wires.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 847940, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 847940 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 28% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, 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 China $392M 28% of world exports
- 2 Finland $218M 16% of world exports
- 3 Germany $190M 14% of world exports
World total: $1.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $129M 12% of world imports
- 2 United States $109M 9.8% of world imports
- 3 Mexico $55M 4.9% of world imports
World total: $1.1B 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 8479.40
Brazil does not split HS 8479.40: its NCM code is 8479.40.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 84.79 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8479.40
What is HS code 847940?
HS code 847940 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Machines; for making rope or cable. This HS code encompasses specialized industrial machinery designed for the manufacturing of ropes, cables, and similar cordage products. This includes a wide array of equipment used to twist, braid, or lay strands of natural or synthetic fibers, or metal wires, into finished ropes, electrical cables, optical fiber cables, and wire ropes. These machines are critical for industries ranging from telecommunications and power transmission to marine, construction, and textile sectors. Countries with significant infrastructure development, such as China, India, and the USA, are major importers of these machines to support their growing demand for cables and ropes. Exporters are typically specialized engineering firms from countries like Germany, Italy, and Japan, known for their precision and high-speed manufacturing capabilities. Key aspects in trade include the type of material processed (copper, aluminum, optical fiber, synthetic fibers), the desired product (power cable, communication cable, mooring rope), and the level of automation.
What products fall under HS code 847940?
Wire stranding machines, Cable twisting machines, Rope braiding machines, Wire rope closing machines, Optical fiber cabling machines, Extruders for cable insulation, Armoring machines for cables, Bunching machines for wires
What are common misclassifications for HS code 847940?
This code can be confused with general textile machinery (Chapter 84, specifically 8447 for knitting/braiding) or wire drawing machines (8463), but 847940 is specific to the *assembly* of strands into ropes or cables, not the production of the individual threads or wires.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 847940?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 847940 in UN Comtrade data were China ($392M, 28% of world exports), Finland ($218M) and Germany ($190M). World exports came to about $1.4B, 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 847940?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 847940 in UN Comtrade data were India ($129M, 12% of world imports), the United States ($109M) and Mexico ($55M). World imports came to about $1.1B, 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 847940 structured?
HS code 847940 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (79) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (40) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 847940?
In Brazil, HS code 847940 is NCM 8479.40.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.