Product classification
HS code for Optical fiber manufacturing machine: 8475.21
Machines, for manufacturing or hot working glass or glassware, for making optical fibres and preforms thereof.
Classification of optical fiber manufacturing machine under HS 8475.21
Machines for manufacturing optical fibers and preforms are classified under HS code 8475.21. This code is part of heading 8475, which covers machines for assembling electric or electronic lamps, tubes, or valves, or for manufacturing or hot working glass or glassware. Since optical fibers are primarily drawn from glass preforms using high-temperature processes, the machinery involved is categorized as glass-working equipment. This includes the drawing towers where the preform is heated to a molten state and pulled into a thin fiber. The classification applies to the specialized equipment designed for the precision handling and thermal processing required in fiber production. The machinery must be specifically designed for glass working to fall under this code; general-purpose industrial furnaces or plastic extruders would be classified elsewhere.
- Covers
- Optical fiber drawing towers
- Preform manufacturing lathes (MCVD, OVD, VAD processes)
- Glass-working lathes for fiber optics
- Fiber coating and curing machinery (integrated in the drawing line)
- Also under 8475.21
- Nextrom fiber drawing towers
- Fujikura preform lathes
- Sumitomo Electric fiber optic machinery
- Corning fiber production equipment
- Prysmian Group manufacturing lines
Codes often confused with 8475.21
Common mistake. These machines are sometimes misclassified under 8477.10 or 8477.20 if the fibers are made of plastic. Heading 8477 is for machinery for working rubber or plastics. However, since the majority of high-performance optical fibers are glass-based, 8475.21 is the standard. They may also be confused with 8479.89 (other machinery), but 8475.21 is more specific for glass-working technology. Additionally, machines for simply winding the fiber onto spools might be classified under 8479 if they are not part of the drawing process.
Top exporters and importers of HS 847521 (the code used for optical fiber manufacturing machine), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 847521 (the code used for optical fiber manufacturing machine) in UN Comtrade data was Finland, with 49% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was China, with 43% 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 847521, not only optical fiber manufacturing machine.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Finland $23M 49% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $9.3M 20% of world exports
- 3 China $5.5M 12% of world exports
World total: $47M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 China $21M 43% of world imports
- 2 India $8.4M 17% of world imports
- 3 Indonesia $6.6M 14% of world imports
World total: $48M 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 code for optical fiber manufacturing machine
Brazil classifies optical fiber manufacturing machine under NCM 8475.21.00: HS 8475.21 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about optical fiber manufacturing machine
What is the HS code for Optical fiber manufacturing machine?
The HS code for Optical fiber manufacturing machine is 847521 (Machines; for manufacturing or hot working glass or glassware, for making optical fibres and preforms thereof).
How do I classify Optical fiber manufacturing machine for customs?
Optical fiber manufacturing machine is classified under HS code 847521 — Machines; for manufacturing or hot working glass or glassware, for making optical fibres and preforms thereof. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for optical fiber manufacturing machines?
The HS code for machines used to manufacture optical fibers and their preforms is 8475.21.
Does this code cover machines for plastic fibers?
If the machine is specifically for extruding plastic fibers, it may be classified under 8477. However, 8475.21 is the primary code for glass optical fiber production equipment.
Which countries are the top exporters of optical fiber manufacturing machine (HS 847521)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 847521 (the code used for optical fiber manufacturing machine) in UN Comtrade data were Finland ($23M, 49% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($9.3M) and China ($5.5M). World exports came to about $47M, 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 optical fiber manufacturing machine (HS 847521)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 847521 (the code used for optical fiber manufacturing machine) in UN Comtrade data were China ($21M, 43% of world imports), India ($8.4M) and Indonesia ($6.6M). World imports came to about $48M, 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 Optical fiber manufacturing machine the same in all countries?
The base HS code 847521 for Optical fiber manufacturing machine 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 optical fiber manufacturing machine in Brazil?
In Brazil, optical fiber manufacturing machine (HS 847521) is classified under NCM 8475.21.00.