Product classification
HS code for Vegetable processing machine: 8438.60
Machinery, industrial, for the preparation of fruits, nuts or vegetables.
Classification of vegetable processing machine under HS 8438.60
Industrial machinery designed for the preparation of vegetables is classified under HS code 8438.60. Heading 8438 covers machinery, not specified or included elsewhere in Chapter 84, for the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink. Subheading 8438.60 specifically targets machinery for the preparation of fruits, nuts, or vegetables. This classification is intended for equipment used in commercial or industrial settings, such as food processing plants, large-scale kitchens, or canning factories. The machines must perform a specific preparatory function such as peeling, slicing, dicing, grating, or pitting to qualify under this code. The classification is determined by the machine's primary function and its industrial nature. For example, a machine that washes, peels, and cuts potatoes for a potato chip factory is clearly within the scope of 8438.60. However, the machinery must be mechanical in nature. If the machine is primarily used for heat treatment (like blanching), it might be classified under 8419, unless the heat treatment is auxiliary to the mechanical preparation. The General Rules of Interpretation (GRI) require that we look for the most specific heading. Since 8438.60 is specifically for vegetable preparation, it takes precedence over more general machinery headings. This code does not include machinery for the extraction of oils (8479.20) or machinery for the cleaning and grading of agricultural produce (8437).
- Covers
- Industrial vegetable peeling machines
- Commercial vegetable slicers and dicers
- Fruit and vegetable pitting machines
- Industrial vegetable graters
- Mechanical vegetable washers for processing lines
- Nut shelling and skinning machines
- Also under 8438.60
- TOMRA sorting machines
- Urschel dicers
- Krones fruit processing lines
- GEA vegetable processing equipment
Codes often confused with 8438.60
Common mistake. A common misclassification occurs with HS code 8509, which covers electro-mechanical domestic appliances. If the vegetable processing machine is of a kind used in a household, it must be classified in Chapter 85. Another error is using HS code 8422, which covers dishwashing and packaging machinery. While some vegetable washers look like dishwashers, if they are designed for food preparation, 8438.60 is the correct code. Finally, 8437 is often incorrectly used for machines that clean vegetables, but 8437 is limited to seeds, grains, and leguminous vegetables.
Top exporters and importers of HS 843860 (the code used for vegetable processing machine), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 843860 (the code used for vegetable processing machine) in UN Comtrade data was Italy, with 20% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was India, 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 843860, not only vegetable processing machine.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Italy $214M 20% of world exports
- 2 Netherlands $213M 20% of world exports
- 3 China $156M 15% of world exports
World total: $1.1B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 India $82M 8.7% of world imports
- 2 United States $77M 8.1% of world imports
- 3 Türkiye $47M 5.0% of world imports
World total: $948M 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 vegetable processing machine
Brazil classifies vegetable processing machine under NCM 8438.60.00: HS 8438.60 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about vegetable processing machine
What is the HS code for Vegetable processing machine?
The HS code for Vegetable processing machine is 843860 (Machinery; industrial, for the preparation of fruits, nuts or vegetables). The HS code for industrial vegetable processing machinery is 8438.60.
How do I classify Vegetable processing machine for customs?
Vegetable processing machine is classified under HS code 843860 — Machinery; industrial, for the preparation of fruits, nuts or vegetables. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include machines for making fruit juice?
No, machinery for the extraction of fruit juices is typically classified under HS code 8435.10, which covers presses and crushers for juice manufacture.
Which countries are the top exporters of vegetable processing machine (HS 843860)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 843860 (the code used for vegetable processing machine) in UN Comtrade data were Italy ($214M, 20% of world exports), the Netherlands ($213M) and China ($156M). World exports came to about $1.1B, 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 vegetable processing machine (HS 843860)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 843860 (the code used for vegetable processing machine) in UN Comtrade data were India ($82M, 8.7% of world imports), the United States ($77M) and Türkiye ($47M). World imports came to about $948M, 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 Vegetable processing machine the same in all countries?
The base HS code 843860 for Vegetable processing 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 vegetable processing machine in Brazil?
In Brazil, vegetable processing machine (HS 843860) is classified under NCM 8438.60.00.