Product classification
HS code for Rotary letterpress: 8443.14
Printing machinery, letterpress, reel-fed, excluding flexographic printing.
Classification of rotary letterpress under HS 8443.14
Rotary letterpress machinery is classified under HS code 8443.14. Heading 8443 covers printing machinery used for printing by means of plates, cylinders, and other components. The classification structure within this heading is highly specific, organized by the printing technology and the substrate feeding method. Subheading 8443.14 is designated for letterpress printing machinery that is reel-fed (also known as web-fed). Letterpress is a relief printing process where the image area is raised above the non-image area. The "rotary" designation indicates that the printing plates are curved and attached to a cylinder, allowing for high-speed continuous printing on a web of paper or other material. This code is selected over others because it specifically identifies the combination of relief printing and reel-feeding.
- Covers
- Web-fed rotary letterpress machines
- Reel-fed relief printing presses
- Rotary newspaper letterpresses
- Continuous form letterpress machines
- Also under 8443.14
- Older Heidelberg Platen presses (specialized web versions)
- specific security printing presses from Koenig & Bauer (KBA-NotaSys)
- Gallus (older label models)
Codes often confused with 8443.14
Common mistake. Rotary letterpresses are often confused with flexographic printing machinery, which falls under HS code 8443.16. While both are rotary relief processes, flexography uses flexible plates and fast-drying inks, whereas standard letterpress uses rigid plates. Another common misclassification is HS code 8443.13, which covers offset printing machinery. Offset printing is a planographic process (flat surface) and uses a different ink transfer method involving a rubber blanket. Finally, sheet-fed letterpress machines must be classified under 8443.15, making the feeding mechanism (reel vs. sheet) a primary factor in code selection.
Top exporters and importers of HS 844314 (the code used for rotary letterpress), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 844314 (the code used for rotary letterpress) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 68% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Vietnam, with about 15% 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 844314, not only rotary letterpress.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $51M 68% of world exports
- 2 Italy $12M 16% of world exports
- 3 Japan $5.5M 7.4% of world exports
World total: $74M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Vietnam* ~$8.3M 15% of world imports · partner records ↗
- 2 South Korea $4.5M 8.4% of world imports
- 3 Portugal $4.4M 8.3% of world imports
World total: $54M 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 code for rotary letterpress
Brazil classifies rotary letterpress under NCM 8443.14.00: HS 8443.14 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about rotary letterpress
What is the HS code for Rotary letterpress?
The HS code for Rotary letterpress is 844314 (Printing machinery; letterpress, reel-fed, excluding flexographic printing). The HS code for a rotary letterpress is 8443.14, specifically for reel-fed letterpress printing machinery.
How do I classify Rotary letterpress for customs?
Rotary letterpress is classified under HS code 844314 — Printing machinery; letterpress, reel-fed, excluding flexographic printing. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include digital rotary printers?
No, digital printing machinery, such as inkjet or laser printers that do not use plates or cylinders for the image carrier, is classified under HS code 8443.3x.
Which countries are the top exporters of rotary letterpress (HS 844314)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 844314 (the code used for rotary letterpress) in UN Comtrade data were China ($51M, 68% of world exports), Italy ($12M) and Japan ($5.5M). World exports came to about $74M, 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 rotary letterpress (HS 844314)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 844314 (the code used for rotary letterpress) in UN Comtrade data were Vietnam (about $8.3M, 15% of world imports), South Korea ($4.5M) and Portugal ($4.4M). World imports came to about $54M, 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 Rotary letterpress the same in all countries?
The base HS code 844314 for Rotary letterpress 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 rotary letterpress in Brazil?
In Brazil, rotary letterpress (HS 844314) is classified under NCM 8443.14.00.