Product classification
HS code for Work holder: 8466.20
Parts & accessories suited for use solely/principally with machines of headings 8456-8465, work holders.
Classification of work holder under HS 8466.20
HS Code 8466.20 covers work holders designed for use solely or principally with the machine tools of headings 8456 to 8465. These machines include those for working metal, wood, hard plastics, or ceramics through various processes like milling, drilling, or laser cutting. A work holder is a device used to position and secure a workpiece during a machining operation. The classification is governed by Note 2 to Section XVI, which dictates that parts and accessories suitable for use solely or principally with a particular kind of machine are to be classified with those machines or in specific headings like 8466. This code is specific to the mechanism that grips the material being worked on, rather than the tool that performs the cutting. Precision and compatibility are key factors; if a holder is universal but primarily used for the specified machine range, it remains under 8466.20. The technical nature of the device, such as its ability to withstand high torque or provide specific alignment, often defines its classification under this heading.
- Covers
- Lathe chucks
- Machine vises
- Collets for machine tools
- Jigs and fixtures for specific workpieces
- Clamping jaws and plates
- Also under 8466.20
- Kurt Vises
- Schunk ROTA
- SMW-Autoblok Chucks
- OK-VISE Low Profile Clamping
- Lang Technovation Vises
Codes often confused with 8466.20
Common mistake. Work holders are frequently confused with tool holders, which fall under HS code 8466.10. The distinction lies in what the device is holding: a work holder (8466.20) secures the material being processed, while a tool holder (8466.10) secures the drill bit, milling cutter, or other cutting instrument. Another area of confusion is HS code 8207, which covers interchangeable tools for hand tools or machine tools. While 8207 includes the actual cutting or pressing part, 8466.20 covers the auxiliary device that supports the operation. Furthermore, specialized dividing heads and other attachments for machine tools are classified under 8466.30. It is vital to determine if the part is an integral component of the machine or an accessory used to hold the workpiece to ensure correct tariff application.
Top exporters and importers of HS 846620 (the code used for work holder), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 846620 (the code used for work holder) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 27% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 20% 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 846620, not only work holder.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $562M 27% of world exports
- 2 China $295M 14% of world exports
- 3 United States $246M 12% of world exports
World total: $2.0B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $373M 20% of world imports
- 2 Germany $184M 9.7% of world imports
- 3 China $169M 8.9% of world imports
World total: $1.9B 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 codes for work holder
Brazil splits HS 8466.20 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8466.20.10Work holders for lathes
- 8466.20.90Work holders for other machine-tools
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about work holder
What is the HS code for Work holder?
The HS code for Work holder is 846620 (Parts & accessories suited for use solely/principally with machines of headings 8456-8465; work holders). The HS code for work holders suited for use with machine tools of headings 8456 to 8465 is 8466.20.
How do I classify Work holder for customs?
Work holder is classified under HS code 846620 — Parts & accessories suited for use solely/principally with machines of headings 8456-8465; work holders. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are magnetic chucks included?
Yes, magnetic chucks used as work holders for machine tools are generally classified under 8466.20, provided they are for the specified machine headings.
Which countries are the top exporters of work holder (HS 846620)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 846620 (the code used for work holder) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($562M, 27% of world exports), China ($295M) and the United States ($246M). World exports came to about $2.0B, 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 work holder (HS 846620)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 846620 (the code used for work holder) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($373M, 20% of world imports), Germany ($184M) and China ($169M). World imports came to about $1.9B, 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 Work holder the same in all countries?
The base HS code 846620 for Work holder 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 work holder in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 846620 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for work holder depends on the product's details: 8466.20.10 (Work holders for lathes), 8466.20.90 (Work holders for other machine-tools).