HS Code 8442Machinery, apparatus and equipment (excluding machines of headings 8456 to 8465) for preparing or making printing components; plates, cylinders and other printing components; lithographic stones prepared for printing purposes
3 six-digit codes · Heading 42 of 86 in Chapter 84 · World Customs Organization Harmonized System
HS code 8442 is the customs heading for plate-making machines and for the printing plates and cylinders they produce. Read on to see what fits here, how it differs from printing machinery, and where to look at the trade.
“Machinery, apparatus and equipment (excluding machines of headings 8456 to 8465) for preparing or making printing components; plates, cylinders and other printing components; lithographic stones prepared for printing purposes” divides three ways under heading 8442 — 844230, 844240 and 844250. Each carries its own customs description, and the exact wording below is what a classification has to match. The heading is number 42 of 86 in Chapter 84, Machinery and mechanical appliances, boilers, nuclear reactors; parts thereof, which runs to 538 six-digit codes in all.
Six-digit codes under heading 8442
| HS Code | Import–export description |
|---|---|
| 844230 | Machinery, apparatus and equipment (excluding machines of heading no. 8456 to 8465) for preparing or making printing components |
| 844240 | Machinery, apparatus and equipment (excluding machines of heading no. 8456 to 8465) for preparing or making printing components; parts thereof |
| 844250 | Plates, cylinders and other printing components; lithographic stones prepared for printing purposes (for example, planed, grained or polished) |
What HS code 8442 covers
Printing starts with a part that carries the image. Heading 8442 is about making that part. It takes in equipment that prepares printing components, and the finished components too.
Those components include plates, cylinders and lithographic stones. The stones are planed, grained or polished so they can hold an image. For the wider range of machinery headings, see the Chapter 84 machinery HS codes.
HS 8442 subcategories: machinery, parts and plates
The split follows what the item is. Match your goods to one row, then check the exact wording in the table before you file.
- 844240: the same kind of equipment, listed together with its parts.
Difference between 8442 and 8443
These two headings sit side by side, and people often mix them up. A simple rule helps. Heading 8442 is where plates are made, and where the plates themselves are classed. Heading 8443 is for the presses that print with those plates and cylinders. It also takes in other printers, copiers and fax machines. See HS 8443 printing machinery for that side.
There is a second boundary. Machines that work material by cutting, grinding, drilling and similar processes are classed in headings 8456 to 8465. Even if one helps to make a printing component, it stays out of 8442. Read about HS 8456 machine-tools (excluded from 8442) to see what they hold.
Other neighbours do different jobs. Still unsure? Try the HS code classifier.
Import and export data for printing plate machinery
Trade records show who moved goods across borders under a code. Start with the import data to see companies bringing in plate-making machines, spare parts or finished plates. Use the export data to see who ships them out.
Pick the right six-digit code first. Codes 844230, 844240 and 844250 describe different goods, so the results will differ. You can also look at one country at a time if only one market matters to you.
Find buyers and suppliers of printing plates and plate-making machinery
EximDataX shows shipment-level import and export records from official customs sources. Coverage: 43 direct customs feeds plus 184 mirror-derived countries. Named buyers and named suppliers are available in 38 of the 43 direct markets. Most markets refresh weekly and some refresh daily.
You can search by HS code to see who imports and exports a product, and book a free demo. Use buyer data to find printing plate buyers, and supplier data to find printing plate suppliers.
Related
- Chapter 84 machinery HS codes
- HS 8443 printing machinery
- HS 8440 book-binding machinery
- HS 8441 paper and paperboard machines
- HS 8439 pulp and paper making machinery
- HS 8456 machine-tools (excluded from 8442)
- HS 8442 import data
- HS 8442 export data
- printing plate buyers
- printing plate suppliers
- HS code classifier
- Book a free demo
Nearby headings in Chapter 84
- 8436Agricultural, horticultural, forestry, poultry-keeping, bee-keeping…6 codes
- 8437Machines for cleaning, sorting, grading seed, grain, dried leguminous…3 codes
- 8438Machinery n.e.c. in this chapter, for the industrial preparation or…8 codes
- 8439Machinery; for making pulp of fibrous cellulosic material, or for making or…5 codes
- 8440Book-binding machinery; including book-sewing machines2 codes
- 8441Machines; for making up paper pulp, paper or paperboard, including cutting…6 codes
- 8443Printing machinery; used for printing by means of plates, cylinders and other…13 codes
- 8444Textile machinery; for extruding, drawing, texturing or cutting man-made…1 code
- 8445Textile machinery; spinning, doubling, twisting machines, textile reeling or…8 codes
- 8446Weaving machines (looms)4 codes
- 8447Knitting machines, stitch-bonding machines and machines for making gimped…4 codes
- 8448Machinery, auxiliary; for use with machines of heading no. 8444 to 8447 (e.g.…11 codes
Who ships under 8442?
EximDataX tracks the live import–export records filed under this heading and the 3 codes beneath it: named buyers, suppliers, quantities and values from official customs feeds.
Section XVI: Machinery, Electrical Equipment and Parts, chapters 84–85.
HS Code 8442: common questions
What is HS code 8442?
It also covers the components themselves, such as plates and cylinders.
What is the difference between 8442 and 8443?
8442 is about making and classing the plates. 8443 is about the printing machines that use them, along with other printers and copiers.
Which HS code covers printing plates and cylinders?
Look at 844250. It also lists other printing components and prepared lithographic stones.
Which HS code covers parts of printing plate machinery?
Look at 844240. Its wording ends with "parts thereof".
How often is HS 8442 import and export data updated?
It varies by market. The data section above gives the pace.
How can I find importers and exporters of 8442?
Search by the code, then open buyer data or supplier data to see company names. A free demo shows how it works.
See what your buyers are buying.Then decide.
Everything we show you comes from official customs filings — records, not claims. 30 minutes. Your shipment. Your HS code. Real platform. If you don’t see something new about your market by the end of the call, we walk away. No follow-ups.