Product classification

HS code for Industrial food equipment: 8438.80

Machinery, used in the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink, n.e.c. in heading no. 8438.

Classification of industrial food equipment under HS 8438.80

Industrial food equipment classified under HS code 8438.80 includes machinery used for the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink that is not specifically mentioned in other subheadings of heading 8438. Chapter 84 covers mechanical appliances and machinery. Heading 8438 is dedicated to machinery for the industrial preparation of food or drink. While subheadings 8438.10 through 8438.60 cover specific industries like bakery, confectionery, meat, and fruit processing, 8438.80 acts as the residual category. This ensures that specialized machinery for processing tea, coffee, or other unique food products is captured under a specific industrial food processing designation. To be classified here, the equipment must be for industrial use, meaning it is designed for continuous operation in a factory setting rather than for domestic or commercial kitchen use.

Covers
  • Tea leaf processing machinery
  • Coffee bean roasting and grinding machines (industrial)
  • Equipment for the manufacture of fish meal
  • Industrial brewers' grain processing machines
  • Specialized extraction equipment for food flavorings
Also under 8438.80
  • Bühler chocolate processing lines
  • Tetra Pak beverage filling machines
  • PFM packaging machines
  • APV processing equipment

Codes often confused with 8438.80

Common mistake. This code is frequently confused with HS code 8419, which covers machinery involving temperature changes (like industrial ovens or coolers). If the primary function of the machine is heating or cooling, 8419 takes precedence. It is also confused with 8422, which covers packaging and wrapping machinery. If a machine both prepares and packages food, its primary function must be determined. Additionally, 8434 (milking machinery) and 8437 (grain milling) are often incorrectly used for food equipment that has its own specific heading.

84.19Machinery, plant (not domestic), or laboratory equipment; electrically heated or not, (excluding items in 85.14) for the treatment of materials by a process involving change of temperature; including instantaneous or non electric storage water heaters84.22Dish washing machines; machinery for cleaning, drying, filling, closing, sealing, capsuling or labelling bottles, cans, boxes, bags, etc, machinery for aerating beverages84.34Milking machines and dairy machinery84.37Machines for cleaning, sorting, grading seed, grain, dried leguminous vegetables; machinery used in the milling industry for the working of cereals or dried leguminous vegetables, not farm type machinery

Top exporters and importers of HS 843880 (the code used for industrial food equipment), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 843880 (the code used for industrial food equipment) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 13% 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 843880, not only industrial food equipment.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Italy $670M
  2. 2 China $579M
  3. 3 Germany $500M

World total: $3.7B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $470M
  2. 2 Russia* ~$177M
  3. 3 United Kingdom $125M

World total: $3.6B 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 industrial food equipment

Brazil splits HS 8438.80 into 3 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

  • 8438.80.10Citrus essential oil extraction machines
  • 8438.80.20Automatic fish gutting machines over 350 a minute
  • 8438.80.90Other food or drink processing machinery

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.

Questions about industrial food equipment

What is the HS code for Industrial food equipment?

The HS code for Industrial food equipment is 843880 (Machinery; used in the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink, n.e.c. in heading no. 8438). The residual HS code for industrial food and drink preparation machinery is 8438.80.

How do I classify Industrial food equipment for customs?

Industrial food equipment is classified under HS code 843880 — Machinery; used in the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink, n.e.c. in heading no. 8438. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Does this include restaurant-grade ovens?

Generally no; restaurant ovens are often classified under 8419 or 8514 depending on their heating method and industrial scale.

Which countries are the top exporters of industrial food equipment (HS 843880)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 843880 (the code used for industrial food equipment) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($670M, 18% of world exports), China ($579M) and Germany ($500M). World exports came to about $3.7B, 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 industrial food equipment (HS 843880)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 843880 (the code used for industrial food equipment) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($470M, 13% of world imports), Russia (about $177M) and the United Kingdom ($125M). World imports came to about $3.6B, 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 Industrial food equipment the same in all countries?

The base HS code 843880 for Industrial food 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 industrial food equipment in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 843880 into 3 NCM codes, so the right one for industrial food equipment depends on the product's details: 8438.80.10 (Citrus essential oil extraction machines), 8438.80.20 (Automatic fish gutting machines over 350 a minute), 8438.80.90 (Other food or drink processing machinery).