HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8479.50 – Machinery and mechanical appliances; industrial robots, n.e.c. or included
HS code 8479.50 is the 6-digit subheading for machinery and mechanical appliances, industrial robots, n.e.c. or included. It is used for articulated robots, SCARA robots, collaborative robots (cobots), cartesian robots and delta robots.
What HS 8479.50 covers
This critical HS code covers industrial robots, which are programmable, multi-purpose manipulators designed to perform a variety of tasks in manufacturing and industrial environments. These robots are not elsewhere specified or included in other specific machinery categories, making this a broad classification for general-purpose robotic arms and systems. They are integral to modern automation, performing tasks like welding, painting, assembly, material handling, and packaging, significantly improving efficiency, precision, and safety in factories worldwide. Major importers are highly industrialized nations and those undergoing rapid industrialization, such as China, USA, Germany, Japan, and South Korea, all seeking to enhance productivity and competitiveness. Leading exporters are countries with advanced robotics industries, including Japan, Germany, Sweden, and the USA. The trade in these robots is driven by technological advancements, labor cost pressures, and the increasing demand for flexible manufacturing solutions across diverse sectors like automotive, electronics, and food processing.
- Covers
- Articulated robots
- SCARA robots
- Collaborative robots (cobots)
- Cartesian robots
- Delta robots
- Robotic welding cells
- Material handling robots
- Assembly robots
- Examples
- KUKA KR CYBERTECH
- FANUC M-20iA
- ABB YuMi
- Yaskawa Motoman GP series
- Universal Robots UR10e
Codes often confused with 8479.50
Common mistake. This code can be confused with automated guided vehicles (AGVs) or other automated systems that are not "robots" in the traditional sense, or with specific robotic applications that might fall under other machinery codes if they are integral parts of a machine with a primary function (e.g., a robotic arm built into a specific packaging machine might be classified with the packaging machine under 8422). However, 847950 is for the general-purpose industrial robot itself.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 847950, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 847950 in UN Comtrade data was Japan, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, 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 Japan $1.8B 26% of world exports
- 2 China $824M 12% of world exports
- 3 Germany $639M 9.4% of world exports
World total: $6.8B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $850M 14% of world imports
- 2 United States $651M 11% of world imports
- 3 Germany $468M 7.6% of world imports
World total: $6.2B 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 8479.50
Brazil does not split HS 8479.50: its NCM code is 8479.50.00.
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 8479.50
What is HS code 847950?
HS code 847950 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Machinery and mechanical appliances; industrial robots, n.e.c. or included. This critical HS code covers industrial robots, which are programmable, multi-purpose manipulators designed to perform a variety of tasks in manufacturing and industrial environments. These robots are not elsewhere specified or included in other specific machinery categories, making this a broad classification for general-purpose robotic arms and systems. They are integral to modern automation, performing tasks like welding, painting, assembly, material handling, and packaging, significantly improving efficiency, precision, and safety in factories worldwide. Major importers are highly industrialized nations and those undergoing rapid industrialization, such as China, USA, Germany, Japan, and South Korea, all seeking to enhance productivity and competitiveness. Leading exporters are countries with advanced robotics industries, including Japan, Germany, Sweden, and the USA. The trade in these robots is driven by technological advancements, labor cost pressures, and the increasing demand for flexible manufacturing solutions across diverse sectors like automotive, electronics, and food processing.
What products fall under HS code 847950?
Articulated robots, SCARA robots, Collaborative robots (cobots), Cartesian robots, Delta robots, Robotic welding cells, Material handling robots, Assembly robots
What are common misclassifications for HS code 847950?
This code can be confused with automated guided vehicles (AGVs) or other automated systems that are not "robots" in the traditional sense, or with specific robotic applications that might fall under other machinery codes if they are integral parts of a machine with a primary function (e.g., a robotic arm built into a specific packaging machine might be classified with the packaging machine under 8422). However, 847950 is for the general-purpose industrial robot itself.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 847950?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 847950 in UN Comtrade data were Japan ($1.8B, 26% of world exports), China ($824M) and Germany ($639M). World exports 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.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 847950?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 847950 in UN Comtrade data were China ($850M, 14% of world imports), the United States ($651M) and Germany ($468M). World imports came to about $6.2B, 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 847950 structured?
HS code 847950 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 (50) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 847950?
In Brazil, HS code 847950 is NCM 8479.50.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.