HS Code for Oil extraction machine

HS code 8479.20 is the specific classification for machinery used in the extraction or preparation of animal or fixed vegetable or microbial fats or oils. This code falls under heading 8479, which is a "residual" or "basket" heading for machines and mechanical appliances that have individual functions but are not specified or included elsewhere in Chapter 84. The classification of oil extraction machinery is determined by its specialized industrial application. These machines are designed to process raw materials such as oilseeds (soybeans, sunflower seeds, etc.), nuts, or animal tissues to isolate the fat or oil components. The machinery included under 8479.20 encompasses a wide range of equipment, from mechanical screw presses (expellers) that use high pressure to squeeze oil out of the feedstock, to complex solvent extraction plants that use chemical solvents like hexane to dissolve and then recover the oil. It also includes auxiliary equipment specifically designed for the preparation of these materials, such as seed cleaners, hullers, and grinders, provided they are part of a dedicated oil extraction line. Under the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), specifically GRI 1, classification is determined by the heading text. Furthermore, Note 7 to Chapter 84 states that a machine which is used for more than one purpose is, for the purposes of classification, to be treated as if its principal purpose were its sole purpose. Since the principal purpose of these machines is the extraction of oils, they are correctly placed in 8479.20. This classification is vital for distinguishing industrial-scale processing equipment from smaller, general-purpose food preparation machinery found in heading 8438.

Products Included

• Mechanical screw presses (oil expellers)
• Solvent extraction plants for oilseeds
• Seed crushing and grinding machines for oil production
• Rendering equipment for animal fats
• Oil refining centrifuges (when part of an extraction system)
• Seed hulling and decorticating machines

Common Misclassification

This machinery is often confused with HS code 8438.80 (Other machinery for the industrial preparation of food or drink). While oil extraction is related to food, 8479.20 is more specific. It is also sometimes misclassified under 8421.29 (General filtering or purifying machinery) if the equipment is primarily a filter press, but if it is dedicated to oil extraction, 8479.20 takes precedence.

FAQ

What is the HS code for oil extraction machine?

The HS code for machinery for the extraction or preparation of animal or vegetable fats or oils is 8479.20.

Does this code include domestic oil presses?

Yes, if they are mechanical appliances for oil extraction, they generally fall under 8479.20, though very small hand-operated tools might be classified elsewhere.