HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8515.21 – Welding machines and apparatus; for resistance welding of metal, fully or partly automatic, whether or not capable of cutting
HS code 8515.21 is the 6-digit subheading for welding machines and apparatus, for resistance welding of metal, fully or partly automatic, whether or not capable of cutting. It is used for robotic spot welding machines, automatic seam welding machines, CNC resistance projection welders, automated resistance butt welders and multi-gun resistance welders.
What HS 8515.21 covers
This HS code pertains to fully or partly automatic resistance welding machines and apparatus for metals, which may also have cutting capabilities. These sophisticated machines are crucial in high-volume manufacturing environments, particularly in the automotive, aerospace, and appliance industries, where precise and repeatable welds are essential for structural integrity and production efficiency. Resistance welding, including spot, seam, and projection welding, is favored for its speed and ability to join similar and dissimilar metals without filler material. Major importers are countries with advanced manufacturing bases and significant industrial automation, such as Germany, the United States, China, and Japan. Exporters often include nations with strong engineering and robotics industries, like Germany, Japan, and the USA. Trade considerations include power output, control systems (e.g., PLC integration), robotic compatibility, and the types of metals and thicknesses they can handle. These machines represent a significant investment in industrial automation.
- Covers
- Robotic spot welding machines
- Automatic seam welding machines
- CNC resistance projection welders
- Automated resistance butt welders
- Multi-gun resistance welders
- Robotic welding cells (resistance)
- Automatic resistance welding lines
- Examples
- KUKA robotic welding systems
- FANUC resistance welding robots
- Fronius DeltaSpot welders
- ARO Technologies automatic welders
Codes often confused with 8515.21
Common mistake. This code is for *automatic* resistance welding machines, distinguishing them from non-automatic resistance welding machines (8515.29) and arc welding machines (8515.31, 8515.39).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 851521, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 851521 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 20% 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 $331M 23% of world exports
- 2 Germany $251M 17% of world exports
- 3 Italy $142M 9.8% of world exports
World total: $1.5B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $266M 20% of world imports
- 2 Mexico $140M 10% of world imports
- 3 India $85M 6.3% of world imports
World total: $1.3B 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 8515.21
Brazil does not split HS 8515.21: its NCM code is 8515.21.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 85.15 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8515.21
What is HS code 851521?
HS code 851521 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Welding machines and apparatus; for resistance welding of metal, fully or partly automatic, whether or not capable of cutting. This HS code pertains to fully or partly automatic resistance welding machines and apparatus for metals, which may also have cutting capabilities. These sophisticated machines are crucial in high-volume manufacturing environments, particularly in the automotive, aerospace, and appliance industries, where precise and repeatable welds are essential for structural integrity and production efficiency. Resistance welding, including spot, seam, and projection welding, is favored for its speed and ability to join similar and dissimilar metals without filler material. Major importers are countries with advanced manufacturing bases and significant industrial automation, such as Germany, the United States, China, and Japan. Exporters often include nations with strong engineering and robotics industries, like Germany, Japan, and the USA. Trade considerations include power output, control systems (e.g., PLC integration), robotic compatibility, and the types of metals and thicknesses they can handle. These machines represent a significant investment in industrial automation.
What products fall under HS code 851521?
Robotic spot welding machines, Automatic seam welding machines, CNC resistance projection welders, Automated resistance butt welders, Multi-gun resistance welders, Robotic welding cells (resistance), Automatic resistance welding lines
What are common misclassifications for HS code 851521?
This code is for *automatic* resistance welding machines, distinguishing them from non-automatic resistance welding machines (8515.29) and arc welding machines (8515.31, 8515.39).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 851521?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 851521 in UN Comtrade data were China ($331M, 23% of world exports), Germany ($251M) and Italy ($142M). World exports came to about $1.5B, 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 851521?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 851521 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($266M, 20% of world imports), Mexico ($140M) and India ($85M). World imports came to about $1.3B, 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 851521 structured?
HS code 851521 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (85) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (15) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (21) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 851521?
In Brazil, HS code 851521 is NCM 8515.21.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.