HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 8515.31 – Welding machines and apparatus; for arc (including plasma arc) welding of metals, fully or partly automatic, whether or not capable of cutting

HS code 8515.31 is the 6-digit subheading for welding machines and apparatus, for arc (including plasma arc) welding of metals, fully or partly automatic, whether or not capable of cutting. It is used for robotic MIG welders, automated TIG welding systems, submerged arc welding machines, plasma arc welding robots and CNC plasma cutters with welding function.

What HS 8515.31 covers

This HS code covers fully or partly automatic welding machines and apparatus for arc (including plasma arc) welding of metals, which may also be capable of cutting. These sophisticated machines are critical for modern, high-precision metal fabrication across various heavy industries. Importers are typically large manufacturing plants in sectors like automotive, shipbuilding, and heavy machinery, as well as specialized welding service providers and construction firms. Exporters are often countries with advanced industrial automation and robotics sectors. Key trade considerations include the specific type of arc welding technology (e.g., robotic MIG/MAG, automated TIG, submerged arc), integration capabilities with robotic systems, power source specifications, duty cycle, and compliance with international safety and performance standards, all of which contribute to enhanced productivity and weld quality.

Covers: Robotic MIG welders
Automated TIG welding systems
Submerged arc welding machines
Plasma arc welding robots
CNC plasma cutters with welding function
Gantry welding systems
Orbital welding machines
Examples: Fronius TransPocket (automated versions)
Lincoln Electric Power Wave series
Miller Electric PipeWorx
ESAB Aristo Mig

Codes often confused with 8515.31

Common mistake. Can be confused with 851539 (other arc welding machines, non-automatic) if the automatic/partly automatic aspect is overlooked, or 851521 (resistance welding machines) if the welding method is not specified.

8515.39Welding machines and apparatus; for arc (including plasma arc) welding of metals, other than fully or partly automatic, whether or not capable of cutting 8515.21Welding machines and apparatus; for resistance welding of metal, fully or partly automatic, whether or not capable of cutting

Top exporters and importers of HS code 851531, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 851531 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 16% 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 $448M 23% of world exports
2 Germany $312M 16% of world exports
3 Austria $164M 8.4% of world exports

World total: $2.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

1 United States $291M 16% of world imports
2 Germany $79M 4.3% of world imports
3 Mexico $72M 3.9% of world imports

World total: $1.8B 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 8515.31 2

Brazil splits HS 8515.31 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

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.

Access via API

GET /api/hs-code/851531/

{
  "code": "851531",
  "description": "Welding machines and apparatus; for arc (including plasma arc) welding of metals, fully or partly automatic, whether or not capable of cutting",
  "section": "XVI",
  "parent": "8515"
}

API docs →

Questions about HS 8515.31

What is HS code 851531?

HS code 851531 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Welding machines and apparatus; for arc (including plasma arc) welding of metals, fully or partly automatic, whether or not capable of cutting. This HS code covers fully or partly automatic welding machines and apparatus for arc (including plasma arc) welding of metals, which may also be capable of cutting. These sophisticated machines are critical for modern, high-precision metal fabrication across various heavy industries. Importers are typically large manufacturing plants in sectors like automotive, shipbuilding, and heavy machinery, as well as specialized welding service providers and construction firms. Exporters are often countries with advanced industrial automation and robotics sectors. Key trade considerations include the specific type of arc welding technology (e.g., robotic MIG/MAG, automated TIG, submerged arc), integration capabilities with robotic systems, power source specifications, duty cycle, and compliance with international safety and performance standards, all of which contribute to enhanced productivity and weld quality.

What products fall under HS code 851531?

Robotic MIG welders, Automated TIG welding systems, Submerged arc welding machines, Plasma arc welding robots, CNC plasma cutters with welding function, Gantry welding systems, Orbital welding machines

What are common misclassifications for HS code 851531?

Can be confused with 851539 (other arc welding machines, non-automatic) if the automatic/partly automatic aspect is overlooked, or 851521 (resistance welding machines) if the welding method is not specified.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 851531?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 851531 in UN Comtrade data were China ($448M, 23% of world exports), Germany ($312M) and Austria ($164M). World exports came to about $2.0B, 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.

Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 851531?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 851531 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($291M, 16% of world imports), Germany ($79M) and Mexico ($72M). World imports came to about $1.8B, 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 851531 structured?

HS code 851531 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 (31) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 851531?

Brazil splits HS code 851531 into 2 NCM codes: 8515.31.10 (CNC MIG/MAG arc welding robots), 8515.31.90 (Other automatic arc welding machines). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.