Product classification

HS code for Milk processing equipment: 8434.20

Dairy machinery.

Classification of milk processing equipment under HS 8434.20

Milk processing equipment is classified under HS code 8434.20, which falls under Chapter 84 of the Harmonized System. This chapter covers nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, and mechanical appliances. Heading 8434 is specifically dedicated to milking machines and dairy machinery. While subheading 8434.10 is reserved for the actual milking machines used to extract milk from livestock, subheading 8434.20 covers the broader category of dairy machinery used for processing milk into various products. This includes equipment used for the homogenization of milk, the churning of butter, and the molding or processing of cheese. The classification is based on the specialized nature of the machinery for the dairy industry. It is important to distinguish these machines from general-purpose food processing equipment. The Harmonized System requires that machinery be classified according to its specific function and the industry it serves. For 8434.20, the equipment must be primarily designed for dairy applications. If a machine performs a function that is more specifically described in another heading, it may be classified elsewhere, but 8434.20 remains the primary destination for integrated dairy processing units. The classification process relies on General Interpretative Rule 1 and the specific wording of the subheadings.

Covers
  • Milk homogenizers
  • Butter churns and butter-making machines
  • Cheese-making machinery and presses
  • Milk cooling tanks with integrated processing functions
  • Evaporators specifically designed for dairy use
Also under 8434.20
  • Tetra Pak processing units
  • GEA dairy processing lines
  • Alfa Laval separators
  • Krones milk bottling equipment
  • SPX FLOW homogenizers

Codes often confused with 8434.20

Common mistake. Milk processing equipment is often misclassified under HS code 8419.81 or 8419.89 if the equipment involves heat treatment, such as pasteurizers. However, if the machine is specialized for dairy, 8434.20 is often preferred unless the heating function is the sole primary function. Another common error is using HS code 8421.11 for cream separators; while used in dairy, centrifuges have their own specific heading under 8421.

8419.81Machinery, plant and equipment; for making hot drinks, for cooking or heating food8419.89Machinery, plant and laboratory equipment; for treating materials by change of temperature, other than for making hot drinks or cooking or heating food8421.11Centrifuges; cream separators84.21Centrifuges, including centrifugal dryers; filtering or purifying machinery and apparatus for liquids or gases

Top exporters and importers of HS 843420 (the code used for milk processing equipment), 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 843420 (the code used for milk processing equipment) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 12% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Russia, with about 8.2% 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 843420, not only milk processing equipment.

Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports

  1. 1 Italy $83M
  2. 2 Poland $82M
  3. 3 Germany $52M

World total: $689M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 Russia* ~$61M
  2. 2 United States $56M
  3. 3 Canada $44M

World total: $737M 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 milk processing equipment

Brazil splits HS 8434.20 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:

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

Questions about milk processing equipment

What is the HS code for Milk processing equipment?

The HS code for Milk processing equipment is 843420 (Dairy machinery). The HS code for dairy machinery used in milk processing is 8434.20.

How do I classify Milk processing equipment for customs?

Milk processing equipment is classified under HS code 843420 — Dairy machinery. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.

Are pasteurizers classified under this code?

Generally, no. Pasteurizers are typically classified under HS code 8419.89 because they are primarily heat-treatment machinery, even if used exclusively in the dairy industry.

Which countries are the top exporters of milk processing equipment (HS 843420)?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS 843420 (the code used for milk processing equipment) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($83M, 12% of world exports), Poland ($82M) and Germany ($52M). World exports came to about $689M, 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 milk processing equipment (HS 843420)?

In 2025, the top importers of HS 843420 (the code used for milk processing equipment) in UN Comtrade data were Russia (about $61M, 8.2% of world imports), the United States ($56M) and Canada ($44M). World imports came to about $737M, 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 Milk processing equipment the same in all countries?

The base HS code 843420 for Milk processing 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 milk processing equipment in Brazil?

Brazil splits HS 843420 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for milk processing equipment depends on the product's details: 8434.20.10 (Milk processing machinery), 8434.20.90 (Other dairy machinery).