Product classification
HS code for Cold room equipment: 8418.69
Refrigerating or freezing equipment, n.e.c. in heading no. 8418.
Classification of cold room equipment under HS 8418.69
Cold room equipment is classified under HS code 8418.69, which covers "other" refrigerating or freezing equipment not elsewhere specified within heading 8418. Heading 8418 generally includes refrigerators, freezers, and other refrigerating or freezing equipment, whether electric or otherwise. While subheadings like 8418.10 through 8418.40 cover domestic-type units and 8418.50 covers commercial display furniture, 8418.69 is the appropriate classification for industrial-scale refrigeration systems used in cold storage facilities. This includes the machinery responsible for maintaining sub-zero or low temperatures in large insulated rooms. The classification is based on the functional unit principle, where the compressor, condenser, and evaporator work together as a single refrigerating system. It is important to note that this code refers to the machinery itself rather than the structural insulated panels of the room. The equipment must incorporate a refrigerating unit or be a component of a refrigerating circuit to fall under this heading.
- Covers
- Industrial evaporator units for cold rooms
- Condensing units for walk-in freezers
- Blast freezer machinery
- Industrial liquid chillers
- Refrigeration units for refrigerated warehouses
- Also under 8418.69
- Thermo Fisher Scientific ultra-low freezers
- Carrier Transicold cold rooms
- York industrial chillers
- Manitowoc ice machines
- Kold-Draft ice makers
Codes often confused with 8418.69
Common mistake. Cold room equipment is often confused with 8415.10 or 8415.82, which cover air conditioning machines. The distinction is that 8415 equipment must be designed to control temperature and humidity for human comfort, whereas 8418.69 is for preservation of goods. Additionally, the insulated panels for cold rooms are often misclassified here; they should be classified by their constituent material, usually under 7308 (steel) or 3925 (plastics).
Top exporters and importers of HS 841869 (the code used for cold room equipment), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 841869 (the code used for cold room equipment) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 26% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 24% 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 841869, not only cold room equipment.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $3.9B 26% of world exports
- 2 Mexico $1.8B 12% of world exports
- 3 Italy $1.5B 9.9% of world exports
World total: $15.4B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $3.8B 24% of world imports
- 2 Germany $952M 6.0% of world imports
- 3 China $848M 5.4% of world imports
World total: $15.8B 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 cold room equipment
Brazil splits HS 8418.69 into 7 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8418.69.10Non-domestic ice cream making machines
- 8418.69.20Milk coolers
- 8418.69.31Refrigerated water or juice dispensers
- 8418.69.32Refrigerated carbonated drink dispensers
- 8418.69.40Compression refrigerating units, max 30,000 frig/h
- 8418.69.91Lithium bromide absorption water chillers
- 8418.69.99Other refrigerating or freezing equipment
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about cold room equipment
What is the HS code for Cold room equipment?
The HS code for Cold room equipment is 841869 (Refrigerating or freezing equipment; n.e.c. in heading no. 8418). The machinery for cold rooms is classified under HS code 8418.69. This excludes the structural panels and doors.
How do I classify Cold room equipment for customs?
Cold room equipment is classified under HS code 841869 — Refrigerating or freezing equipment; n.e.c. in heading no. 8418. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include the refrigerant gas?
No, refrigerant gases are classified separately in Chapter 29 (organic chemicals) or Chapter 38 (chemical mixtures).
Which countries are the top exporters of cold room equipment (HS 841869)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 841869 (the code used for cold room equipment) in UN Comtrade data were China ($3.9B, 26% of world exports), Mexico ($1.8B) and Italy ($1.5B). World exports came to about $15.4B, 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 cold room equipment (HS 841869)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 841869 (the code used for cold room equipment) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($3.8B, 24% of world imports), Germany ($952M) and China ($848M). World imports came to about $15.8B, 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.
Is the HS code for Cold room equipment the same in all countries?
The base HS code 841869 for Cold room equipment 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 cold room equipment in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 841869 into 7 NCM codes, so the right one for cold room equipment depends on the product's details: 8418.69.10 (Non-domestic ice cream making machines), 8418.69.20 (Milk coolers), 8418.69.31 (Refrigerated water or juice dispensers), 8418.69.32 (Refrigerated carbonated drink dispensers), 8418.69.40 (Compression refrigerating units, max 30,000 frig/h), 8418.69.91 (Lithium bromide absorption water chillers), and more.