Product classification
HS code for Ribbon loom: 8446.10
Weaving machines (looms), for weaving fabrics of a width 30cm or less.
Classification of ribbon loom under HS 8446.10
The ribbon loom is classified under HS code 8446.10. This code is specific to weaving machines (looms) designed for producing fabrics with a width not exceeding 30 cm. The Harmonized System categorizes weaving machinery based on the width of the fabric they are capable of producing. Heading 8446 covers all weaving machines, but 8446.10 is the primary code for narrow fabric looms, commonly referred to as ribbon looms or needle looms. These machines are specialized for the production of ribbons, tapes, webbings, and other narrow textiles. The 30 cm threshold is a definitive boundary in the HS nomenclature; any loom capable of weaving fabric wider than 30 cm is classified under different subheadings, such as 8446.21 or 8446.30, depending on whether they use shuttles or are shuttleless. This classification is essential for textile manufacturers to correctly identify their capital equipment for depreciation, import duties, and industrial statistics. The machinery must be primarily designed for weaving; machines that produce knitwear or lace are classified elsewhere in Chapter 84, specifically under heading 8447.
- Covers
- Narrow fabric needle looms
- Shuttleless ribbon looms
- Label weaving looms (under 30cm)
- Elastic tape weaving machines
- Webbing looms for safety belts
- Also under 8446.10
- Jakob Müller AG Narrow Fabric Loom
- Comez Crochet Machine
- Mageba Narrow Fabric Machine
- KY Narrow Fabric Loom
Codes often confused with 8446.10
Common mistake. Ribbon looms are frequently misclassified under 8446.21 or 8446.30. These codes are for looms weaving fabrics wider than 30 cm. The confusion often arises when a loom is technically capable of weaving multiple narrow ribbons simultaneously but has a total reed width exceeding 30 cm. However, if the individual fabric width is the defining characteristic, 8446.10 remains the standard for specialized narrow-ware machinery.
Top exporters and importers of HS 844610 (the code used for ribbon loom), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 844610 (the code used for ribbon loom) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 49% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 19% of world imports. Bangladesh did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 7.0% of its imports here ($560K, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 844610, not only ribbon loom.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $38M 49% of world exports
- 2 Switzerland $18M 23% of world exports
- 3 Germany $7.9M 10% of world exports
World total: $78M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Vietnam* ~$13M 19% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 Germany $6.6M 10% of world imports
- 3 China $4.6M 7.0% of world imports
Bangladesh did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 7.0% of its imports here ($560K, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
World total: $65M 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 ribbon loom
Brazil splits HS 8446.10 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8446.10.10Jacquard looms, fabric width up to 30 cm
- 8446.10.90Other looms, fabric width up to 30 cm
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about ribbon loom
What is the HS code for Ribbon loom?
The HS code for Ribbon loom is 844610 (Weaving machines (looms); for weaving fabrics of a width 30cm or less). The HS code for a ribbon loom weaving fabric 30 cm or less in width is 8446.10.
How do I classify Ribbon loom for customs?
Ribbon loom is classified under HS code 844610 — Weaving machines (looms); for weaving fabrics of a width 30cm or less. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does the 30 cm limit apply to the machine width or the fabric width?
The limit applies specifically to the width of the fabric the machine is designed to weave, not the physical footprint of the machine itself.
Which countries are the top exporters of ribbon loom (HS 844610)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 844610 (the code used for ribbon loom) in UN Comtrade data were China ($38M, 49% of world exports), Switzerland ($18M) and Germany ($7.9M). World exports came to about $78M, 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 ribbon loom (HS 844610)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 844610 (the code used for ribbon loom) in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $13M, 19% of world imports), Germany ($6.6M) and China ($4.6M). World imports came to about $65M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Bangladesh did not report 2025 data, and its estimate from partner records misses its trade with other countries that did not report: in 2024 that was 7.0% of its imports here ($560K, CEPII BACI), so it may also belong among the top importers.
Is the HS code for Ribbon loom the same in all countries?
The base HS code 844610 for Ribbon loom 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 ribbon loom in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 844610 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for ribbon loom depends on the product's details: 8446.10.10 (Jacquard looms, fabric width up to 30 cm), 8446.10.90 (Other looms, fabric width up to 30 cm).