HS code · 4-digit heading
HS Code 84.87 – Machinery parts; not containing electrical connectors, insulators, coils, contacts or other electrical features, n.e.c. in this chapter
What HS 84.87 covers
HS Code 8487 covers 'Machinery parts; not containing electrical connectors, insulators, coils, contacts or other electrical features, n.e.c. in this chapter.' This heading serves as a residual classification for non-electrical parts of machinery that are not specifically provided for elsewhere in Chapter 84. It's designed to capture the vast array of mechanical components that contribute to the function of machines but do not have a dedicated 'parts' heading within the chapter and lack significant electrical characteristics. The 'n.e.c.' (not elsewhere specified) clause is crucial, meaning that if a part can be classified under a more specific heading (e.g., 8431 for parts of excavating machinery or 8409 for parts of internal combustion engines), it should be. The exclusion of electrical features ensures a clear distinction from Chapter 85 (Electrical machinery and equipment; parts thereof). This classification is vital for trade compliance as it helps maintain the integrity of the HS nomenclature, providing a 'catch-all' for general mechanical parts, which are ubiquitous across all industrial sectors. It underscores that parts are, wherever possible, classified with their parent machines or in specific parts headings, with 8487 acting as the final resort for unspecialized mechanical components.
- Covers
- Gears
- Shafts
- Pulleys
- Sprockets
- Cranks
- Connecting rods
- Non-electrical bearings
- Metal machine housings
- Structural machine frames
- Levers
- Cams
- Rollers
- Hydraulic cylinders (without electrical controls)
- Pneumatic cylinders (without electrical controls)
- Mechanical clutches
- Mechanical brakes
- Non-electrical valves for machinery
- Gaskets (non-electrical)
- Seals (non-electrical)
- Fan blades for machinery
- Impellers for pumps (non-electrical)
- Tool holders (mechanical)
- Machine guards (non-electrical)
- Mounting brackets (non-electrical)
- Counterweights for machinery
- Precision-machined metal components
- Plastic molded parts for machinery
- Conveyor rollers
- Chain links (non-electrical).
- Examples
A German manufacturer exports a consignment of precision-machined steel gears and shafts to an assembly plant in Mexico for use in industrial robots, typically via sea freight across the Atlantic. A Chinese factory produces generic metal machine frames and housings, exporting them in bulk to various machinery manufacturers in Southeast Asia and Europe, primarily by sea container. An Italian company ships a batch of specialized mechanical clutches and brakes to an agricultural machinery producer in Brazil, often using a combination of air freight for urgent parts and sea freight for larger volumes. A US company imports a large order of non-electrical hydraulic cylinder components from India for its heavy equipment manufacturing line, transported by ocean vessel. A Japanese firm exports various non-electrical mechanical linkages and levers to a packaging machinery manufacturer in Thailand, usually by sea freight.
Subheadings under 84.87 2
Codes often confused with 84.87
Common mistake. Common misclassification errors under 8487 involve failing to apply more specific parts headings within Chapter 84 (e.g., 8431 for parts of excavating machinery, 8409 for parts of internal combustion engines, 8414.90 for parts of fans). Traders often incorrectly classify parts with electrical components here, which should instead go to Chapter 85 (e.g., 8503 for parts of electric motors, 8538 for parts of electrical apparatus). The key is the 'not containing electrical features' clause and the 'n.e.c. in this chapter' rule; if a part has an electrical function or is specifically designed for a machine with a more specific parts heading, it belongs elsewhere.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 8487, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 8487 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 30% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, 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 $3.6B 30% of world exports
- 2 Germany $1.9B 16% of world exports
- 3 United States $929M 7.9% of world exports
World total: $11.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $942M 12% of world imports
- 2 Germany $770M 9.6% of world imports
- 3 United States $518M 6.4% of world imports
World total: $8.0B 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.
Questions about HS 84.87
What is HS code 8487?
HS code 8487 is a 4-digit heading in the Harmonized System that covers: Machinery parts; not containing electrical connectors, insulators, coils, contacts or other electrical features, n.e.c. in this chapter. HS Code 8487 covers 'Machinery parts; not containing electrical connectors, insulators, coils, contacts or other electrical features, n.e.c. in this chapter.' This heading serves as a residual classification for non-electrical parts of machinery that are not specifically provided for elsewhere in Chapter 84. It's designed to capture the vast array of mechanical components that contribute to the function of machines but do not have a dedicated 'parts' heading within the chapter and lack significant electrical characteristics. The 'n.e.c.' (not elsewhere specified) clause is crucial, meaning that if a part can be classified under a more specific heading (e.g., 8431 for parts of excavating machinery or 8409 for parts of internal combustion engines), it should be. The exclusion of electrical features ensures a clear distinction from Chapter 85 (Electrical machinery and equipment; parts thereof). This classification is vital for trade compliance as it helps maintain the integrity of the HS nomenclature, providing a 'catch-all' for general mechanical parts, which are ubiquitous across all industrial sectors. It underscores that parts are, wherever possible, classified with their parent machines or in specific parts headings, with 8487 acting as the final resort for unspecialized mechanical components.
What products fall under HS code 8487?
Gears, shafts, pulleys, sprockets, cranks, connecting rods, non-electrical bearings, metal machine housings, structural machine frames, levers, cams, rollers, hydraulic cylinders (without electrical controls), pneumatic cylinders (without electrical controls), mechanical clutches, mechanical brakes, non-electrical valves for machinery, gaskets (non-electrical), seals (non-electrical), fan blades for machinery, impellers for pumps (non-electrical), tool holders (mechanical), machine guards (non-electrical), mounting brackets (non-electrical), counterweights for machinery, precision-machined metal components, plastic molded parts for machinery, conveyor rollers, chain links (non-electrical).
What are common misclassifications for HS code 8487?
Common misclassification errors under 8487 involve failing to apply more specific parts headings within Chapter 84 (e.g., 8431 for parts of excavating machinery, 8409 for parts of internal combustion engines, 8414.90 for parts of fans). Traders often incorrectly classify parts with electrical components here, which should instead go to Chapter 85 (e.g., 8503 for parts of electric motors, 8538 for parts of electrical apparatus). The key is the 'not containing electrical features' clause and the 'n.e.c. in this chapter' rule; if a part has an electrical function or is specifically designed for a machine with a more specific parts heading, it belongs elsewhere.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 8487?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 8487 in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.6B, 30% of world exports), Germany ($1.9B) and the United States ($929M). World exports came to about $11.7B, 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 8487?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 8487 in UN Comtrade data were China ($942M, 12% of world imports), Germany ($770M) and the United States ($518M). World imports came to about $8.0B, 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 8487 structured?
HS code 8487 is a 4-digit heading under Chapter 84 of the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (84) identify the chapter, and digits 3-4 (87) specify the heading. This code contains multiple 6-digit subheadings for precise product classification.