Product classification
HS code for Ball mill: 8474.20
Machines, for crushing or grinding earth, stone, ores or other mineral substances.
Classification of ball mill under HS 8474.20
A ball mill is classified under HS code 8474.20, which is designated for machinery used for crushing or grinding earth, stone, ores, or other mineral substances in solid form. The classification is based on the machine's mechanical function: it uses a rotating cylinder and grinding media (balls) to reduce the particle size of minerals through impact and attrition. Under the General Rules of Interpretation, heading 8474 specifically covers machinery for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing, grinding, mixing, or kneading earth, stone, ores, or other mineral substances. Because the ball mill is a primary tool in the mining and ceramics industries for mineral processing, it fits perfectly into the 8474.20 subheading for grinding and crushing equipment.
- Covers
- Industrial horizontal ball mills
- Planetary ball mills for mineral research
- Continuous ball mills for ore processing
- Batch ball mills for ceramic slip
- Laboratory scale mineral grinding mills
- Also under 8474.20
- Sandvik QJ341 Jaw Crusher
- Metso Outotec Nordberg HP Cone Crusher
- Terex Finlay I-120RS Impact Crusher
- FLSmidth Ball Mill
- McLanahan Jaw Crusher
Codes often confused with 8474.20
Common mistake. Ball mills are often misclassified under 8479.82 if they are used for mixing or crushing materials other than minerals (such as chemicals or food). However, if the mill is designed for minerals, 8474.20 takes precedence. Another common mistake is using 8474.90, which is reserved for parts of the mill (like the liners or the balls themselves) rather than the complete machine. Mills used specifically for food production should be classified under 8438.
Top exporters and importers of HS 847420 (the code used for ball mill), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 847420 (the code used for ball mill) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 38% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 12% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 847420, not only ball mill.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $1.5B 38% of world exports
- 2 Germany $499M 13% of world exports
- 3 United Kingdom $478M 12% of world exports
World total: $4.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $480M 12% of world imports
- 2 Russia* ~$227M 5.5% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 3 Indonesia $133M 3.2% of world imports
World total: $4.1B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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 ball mill
Brazil splits HS 8474.20 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8474.20.10Ball mills for minerals
- 8474.20.90Other mineral crushing or grinding machines
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about ball mill
What is the HS code for Ball mill?
The HS code for Ball mill is 847420 (Machines; for crushing or grinding earth, stone, ores or other mineral substances). The HS code for a ball mill used for grinding minerals, ores, or stone is 8474.20.
How do I classify Ball mill for customs?
Ball mill is classified under HS code 847420 — Machines; for crushing or grinding earth, stone, ores or other mineral substances. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does the HS code change for a laboratory ball mill?
Generally, no. If the laboratory mill is designed for grinding mineral substances, it still falls under 8474.20, regardless of its smaller scale.
Which countries are the top exporters of ball mill (HS 847420)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 847420 (the code used for ball mill) in UN Comtrade data were China ($1.5B, 38% of world exports), Germany ($499M) and the United Kingdom ($478M). World exports came to about $4.0B, 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 ball mill (HS 847420)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 847420 (the code used for ball mill) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($480M, 12% of world imports), Russia (about $227M) and Indonesia ($133M). World imports came to about $4.1B, 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.
Is the HS code for Ball mill the same in all countries?
The base HS code 847420 for Ball mill is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for ball mill in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 847420 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for ball mill depends on the product's details: 8474.20.10 (Ball mills for minerals), 8474.20.90 (Other mineral crushing or grinding machines).