Product classification
HS code for Printing plate: 8442.50
Plates, cylinders and other printing components, lithographic stones prepared for printing purposes (for example, planed, grained or polished).
Classification of printing plate under HS 8442.50
HS code 8442.50 is a critical classification for the printing industry, covering the physical components used to transfer ink to a substrate. This includes plates, cylinders, and other printing components that have been prepared for printing purposes. The heading encompasses lithographic stones, plates, and cylinders that have been grained, polished, or otherwise prepared to receive an image. This classification is functional; it focuses on the hardware used within the printing press rather than the machinery itself (which falls under 8443). The preparation of the surface—whether through mechanical, chemical, or laser engraving—is what qualifies the item for this code. It is important to distinguish these prepared components from raw metal sheets or sensitized photographic plates. The code covers both the blank plates that have been prepared for imaging and the finished plates that carry a specific image or text for a print run. This includes offset plates, flexographic plates, and gravure cylinders used in high-volume commercial printing.
- Covers
- Lithographic printing plates (prepared)
- Engraved copper or steel cylinders for gravure printing
- Flexographic photopolymer plates
- Prepared lithographic stones
- Zinc or aluminum plates grained for printing
- Also under 8442.50
- FujiFilm CTP Plates
- Kodak Sonora Process Free Plates
- DuPont Cyrel Flexo Plates
- Flint Group Flexo Plates
- Xeikon Dry Toner Plates
Codes often confused with 8442.50
Common mistake. Printing plates are frequently misclassified under HS code 3701.30, which covers sensitized, unexposed photographic plates. The distinction lies in whether the plate is primarily a photographic product or a mechanical printing component. Another error is classifying raw aluminum or copper sheets under Chapter 76 or 74; if the metal has been grained or polished specifically for printing, it must move to 8442.50. Finally, it is sometimes confused with 8443, which is for the printing machines themselves.
Top exporters and importers of HS 844250 (the code used for printing plate), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 844250 (the code used for printing plate) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 8.7% 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 844250, not only printing plate.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $140M 20% of world exports
- 2 Germany $99M 14% of world exports
- 3 United States $57M 8.1% of world exports
World total: $698M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $59M 8.7% of world imports
- 2 India $53M 7.7% of world imports
- 3 France $32M 4.8% of world imports
World total: $682M 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 printing plate
Brazil classifies printing plate under NCM 8442.50.00: HS 8442.50 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about printing plate
What is the HS code for Printing plate?
The HS code for Printing plate is 844250 (Plates, cylinders and other printing components; lithographic stones prepared for printing purposes (for example, planed, grained or polished)). The HS code for prepared printing plates, cylinders, and lithographic stones is 8442.50.
How do I classify Printing plate for customs?
Printing plate is classified under HS code 844250 — Plates, cylinders and other printing components; lithographic stones prepared for printing purposes (for example, planed, grained or polished). This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are unexposed sensitized plates covered here?
No, unexposed sensitized plates are classified under HS code 3701. HS code 8442.50 is for plates that are prepared but not necessarily sensitized, or those already engraved.
Which countries are the top exporters of printing plate (HS 844250)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 844250 (the code used for printing plate) in UN Comtrade data were China ($140M, 20% of world exports), Germany ($99M) and the United States ($57M). World exports came to about $698M, 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 printing plate (HS 844250)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 844250 (the code used for printing plate) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($59M, 8.7% of world imports), India ($53M) and France ($32M). World imports came to about $682M, 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 Printing plate the same in all countries?
The base HS code 844250 for Printing plate 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 printing plate in Brazil?
In Brazil, printing plate (HS 844250) is classified under NCM 8442.50.00.