Chapter 84 is the core chapter in the HS classification covering machinery, mechanical appliances, and their parts, including power machinery, agricultural machinery, office machinery, automatic data processing equipment, lifting and handling machinery, household machinery, etc. Goods in this chapter generally have the characteristics of power drive, mechanical movement, or energy conversion, but attention should be paid to excluding electrical and electronic equipment (Chapter 85) and optical instruments (Chapter 90). Heading 8476 covers automatic vending machines (such as coin-operated vending machines) and automatic vending machines with heating or refrigerating devices. This heading includes machines that automatically dispense goods (such as beverages, food, cigarettes, etc.) triggered by coins, banknotes, credit cards, or other payment methods, whether or not they have heating, refrigerating, or display functions. However, it does not include gaming machines (9504) and weighing-type vending machines (8423). HS code 847610 is a six-digit subheading. The first two digits 84 represent Chapter 84 (machinery, mechanical appliances). Digits 3-4, 76, represent heading 8476, i.e., automatic vending machines. Digits 5-6, 10, represent subheading 847610, specifically "automatic vending machines." In HS 2022, heading 8476 is divided into 847610 (automatic vending machines) and 847690 (parts), so 847610 specifically refers to complete automatic vending machines and does not include their parts. The goods are automatic vending machines that automatically dispense goods through a payment mechanism, meeting the description of heading 8476. They are not classified under 8479 (other machinery not elsewhere specified) because 8476 is a heading specifically established for automatic vending machines; nor are they classified under 8504 (electrical equipment) or 8470 (calculators), etc., because their main function is vending rather than calculation or power supply.
Chapter
Chapter 84 is the core chapter in the HS classification covering machinery, mechanical appliances, and their parts, including power machinery, agricultural machinery, office machinery, automatic data processing equipment, lifting and handling machinery, household machinery, etc. Goods in this chapter generally have the characteristics of power drive, mechanical movement, or energy conversion, but attention should be paid to excluding electrical and electronic equipment (Chapter 85) and optical instruments (Chapter 90).
Heading
Heading 8476 covers automatic vending machines (such as coin-operated vending machines) and automatic vending machines with heating or refrigerating devices. This heading includes machines that automatically dispense goods (such as beverages, food, cigarettes, etc.) triggered by coins, banknotes, credit cards, or other payment methods, whether or not they have heating, refrigerating, or display functions. However, it does not include gaming machines (9504) and weighing-type vending machines (8423).
Digit Breakdown
HS code 847610 is a six-digit subheading. The first two digits 84 represent Chapter 84 (machinery, mechanical appliances). Digits 3-4, 76, represent heading 8476, i.e., automatic vending machines. Digits 5-6, 10, represent subheading 847610, specifically "automatic vending machines." In HS 2022, heading 8476 is divided into 847610 (automatic vending machines) and 847690 (parts), so 847610 specifically refers to complete automatic vending machines and does not include their parts.
Classification Basis
The goods are automatic vending machines that automatically dispense goods through a payment mechanism, meeting the description of heading 8476. They are not classified under 8479 (other machinery not elsewhere specified) because 8476 is a heading specifically established for automatic vending machines; nor are they classified under 8504 (electrical equipment) or 8470 (calculators), etc., because their main function is vending rather than calculation or power supply.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared goods, such as "automatic vending machine" or "beverage vending machine," which must be consistent with the actual goods. Brand: Fill in the brand of the goods; if there is no brand, fill in "no brand," and it must be consistent with the packaging or machine body markings. Model: Fill in the model of the goods, such as "VCM-2000"; if there is no model, fill in "no model." Working principle: Briefly describe the working principle of the automatic vending machine, such as "after coin insertion, the machine identifies and dispenses goods through a mechanical/electronic system." Payment methods: Explain the accepted payment methods, such as coins, banknotes, credit cards, mobile payments, etc. Whether it has heating or refrigerating functions: Clearly state whether it has heating or refrigerating devices and their functions (such as refrigeration, heating). Types of goods: Explain the types of goods dispensed by the vending machine, such as beverages, snacks, cigarettes, etc. Product name: automatic vending machine; Brand: no brand; Model: VCM-2000; Working principle: after coin insertion or QR code payment, the selected goods are pushed out to the pickup port through a mechanical transmission system; Payment methods: coins, banknotes, WeChat Pay, Alipay; Whether it has heating or refrigerating functions: has refrigerating function, can refrigerate beverages; Types of goods: bottled beverages, canned beverages. Incorrectly classifying automatic vending machines under 8479 (other machinery), ignoring the specificity of 8476. Failure to declare payment methods; if only mobile payment is supported, it may be mistaken for a non-traditional vending machine. Incorrectly classifying vending machines with refrigerating functions under 8418 (refrigerating equipment), ignoring that their main function is vending.
Product name
The specific name of the declared goods, such as "automatic vending machine" or "beverage vending machine," which must be consistent with the actual goods.
⚠️ Incorrectly declaring it as "automatic selling machine" or "vending machine" without indicating "automatic."
Brand
Fill in the brand of the goods; if there is no brand, fill in "no brand," and it must be consistent with the packaging or machine body markings.
⚠️ Mistaking the manufacturer's name for the brand, or omitting the brand.
Model
Fill in the model of the goods, such as "VCM-2000"; if there is no model, fill in "no model."
⚠️ Incomplete model entry or inconsistency with the actual goods.
Working principle
Briefly describe the working principle of the automatic vending machine, such as "after coin insertion, the machine identifies and dispenses goods through a mechanical/electronic system."
⚠️ Too brief, such as writing only "automatic vending," without explaining the payment and dispensing mechanism.
Payment methods
Explain the accepted payment methods, such as coins, banknotes, credit cards, mobile payments, etc.
⚠️ Omitting new payment methods such as mobile payments, leading to classification disputes.
Whether it has heating or refrigerating functions
Clearly state whether it has heating or refrigerating devices and their functions (such as refrigeration, heating).
⚠️ Failure to declare refrigerating functions, which may affect subheading classification (but 847610 covers all automatic vending machines).
Types of goods
Explain the types of goods dispensed by the vending machine, such as beverages, snacks, cigarettes, etc.
⚠️ Writing "goods" in general terms without specific explanation.
Example： Product name: automatic vending machine; Brand: no brand; Model: VCM-2000; Working principle: after coin insertion or QR code payment, the selected goods are pushed out to the pickup port through a mechanical transmission system; Payment methods: coins, banknotes, WeChat Pay, Alipay; Whether it has heating or refrigerating functions: has refrigerating function, can refrigerate beverages; Types of goods: bottled beverages, canned beverages.
Common Mistakes：
Incorrectly classifying automatic vending machines under 8479 (other machinery), ignoring the specificity of 8476.
Failure to declare payment methods; if only mobile payment is supported, it may be mistaken for a non-traditional vending machine.
Incorrectly classifying vending machines with refrigerating functions under 8418 (refrigerating equipment), ignoring that their main function is vending.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is whether the goods meet the description of heading 8476: machines that automatically dispense goods through a payment mechanism. The following must be met: 1) it has an automatic vending function; 2) payment methods include coins, banknotes, credit cards, or other payment means; 3) it dispenses goods rather than provides services. If the machine's main function is gaming, weighing, or providing other services, it is not classified under this heading. 8479 Other machinery not elsewhere specified: 8479 is a residual heading, while 8476 is specifically for automatic vending machines. If a machine does not have an automatic vending function, such as merely displaying goods, it should be classified under 8479 or elsewhere. 8418 Refrigerators, freezers, etc.: 8418 covers refrigerating equipment, but even if an automatic vending machine has a refrigerating function, its main function is vending, so it is classified under 8476. 9504 Gaming machines: 9504 covers gaming machines. If a machine's main function is gaming and it may incidentally vend goods, it is classified under 9504; if its main function is vending, it is classified under 8476. 8423 Weighing machinery: 8423 covers weighing equipment. If an automatic vending machine has a weighing function but its main function is vending, it is still classified under 8476. Does the goods automatically dispense goods through payment? Do the payment methods include coins, banknotes, credit cards, etc.? Is the main function of the goods vending rather than gaming or services? Does it have heating or refrigerating functions? This does not affect classification under 847610. Does it belong to parts? Parts should be classified under 847690.
Basis
The core basis for classification is whether the goods meet the description of heading 8476: machines that automatically dispense goods through a payment mechanism. The following must be met: 1) it has an automatic vending function; 2) payment methods include coins, banknotes, credit cards, or other payment means; 3) it dispenses goods rather than provides services. If the machine's main function is gaming, weighing, or providing other services, it is not classified under this heading.
Confused Codes：
8479 - Other machinery not elsewhere specified
8479 is a residual heading, while 8476 is specifically for automatic vending machines. If a machine does not have an automatic vending function, such as merely displaying goods, it should be classified under 8479 or elsewhere.
8418 - Refrigerators, freezers, etc.
8418 covers refrigerating equipment, but even if an automatic vending machine has a refrigerating function, its main function is vending, so it is classified under 8476.
9504 - Gaming machines
9504 covers gaming machines. If a machine's main function is gaming and it may incidentally vend goods, it is classified under 9504; if its main function is vending, it is classified under 8476.
8423 - Weighing machinery
8423 covers weighing equipment. If an automatic vending machine has a weighing function but its main function is vending, it is still classified under 8476.
Self-Check：
✓ Does the goods automatically dispense goods through payment?
✓ Do the payment methods include coins, banknotes, credit cards, etc.?
✓ Is the main function of the goods vending rather than gaming or services?
✓ Does it have heating or refrigerating functions? This does not affect classification under 847610.
✓ Does it belong to parts? Parts should be classified under 847690.
❓ FAQ
Is there a difference in HS codes between automatic vending machines and automatic selling machines? There is no difference. Both refer to the same type of goods and should be classified under HS code 847610. However, when declaring, it is recommended to use the standard name "automatic vending machine" to avoid confusion. If an automatic vending machine only supports mobile payment and has no coin function, can it still be classified under 847610? Yes. The notes to HS heading 8476 explicitly include automatic vending machines triggered by credit cards or other payment methods. Mobile payment belongs to "other payment methods," so it is still classified under 847610. Should beverage vending machines with refrigerating functions be classified under 8418? They should not be classified under 8418. Although they have a refrigerating function, their main function is automatic vending, which meets the description of 8476, so they are classified under 847610. 8418 applies to independent refrigerating equipment. How are parts of automatic vending machines classified? Parts of automatic vending machines should be classified under subheading 847690, not 847610. 847610 only covers complete automatic vending machines. How can I check the import tariff rate for automatic vending machines? Tariff rates vary by country, trade agreement, and country of origin, and they change. It is recommended to obtain the latest tariff rates through customs official websites, tariff inquiry systems, or by consulting a customs broker. Specific values are not provided here. What elements need to be declared when exporting automatic vending machines to the United States? When exporting to the United States, the HTSUS code (usually 8476.10.00) must be declared, and a commercial invoice, packing list, etc. must be completed. Declaration elements include product name, brand, model, working principle, payment methods, etc., similar to China's declaration elements. If an automatic vending machine also has gaming functions, how should it be classified? It should be determined based on the main function. If the main function is vending, classify under 847610; if the main function is gaming, classify under 9504. If it cannot be determined, reference may be made to customs advance classification rulings. Are HS codes for automatic vending machines consistent across countries? The first six digits of HS codes are basically consistent internationally, but countries may subdivide the last four digits. For example, the U.S. HTSUS is 8476.10.00, the EU is 8476.10.00, and China is 84761000. It is recommended to check the specific code of the target country.
Q: Is there a difference in HS codes between automatic vending machines and automatic selling machines?
A: There is no difference. Both refer to the same type of goods and should be classified under HS code 847610. However, when declaring, it is recommended to use the standard name "automatic vending machine" to avoid confusion.
Q: If an automatic vending machine only supports mobile payment and has no coin function, can it still be classified under 847610?
A: Yes. The notes to HS heading 8476 explicitly include automatic vending machines triggered by credit cards or other payment methods. Mobile payment belongs to "other payment methods," so it is still classified under 847610.
Q: Should beverage vending machines with refrigerating functions be classified under 8418?
A: They should not be classified under 8418. Although they have a refrigerating function, their main function is automatic vending, which meets the description of 8476, so they are classified under 847610. 8418 applies to independent refrigerating equipment.
Q: How are parts of automatic vending machines classified?
A: Parts of automatic vending machines should be classified under subheading 847690, not 847610. 847610 only covers complete automatic vending machines.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for automatic vending machines?
A: Tariff rates vary by country, trade agreement, and country of origin, and they change. It is recommended to obtain the latest tariff rates through customs official websites, tariff inquiry systems, or by consulting a customs broker. Specific values are not provided here.
Q: What elements need to be declared when exporting automatic vending machines to the United States?
A: When exporting to the United States, the HTSUS code (usually 8476.10.00) must be declared, and a commercial invoice, packing list, etc. must be completed. Declaration elements include product name, brand, model, working principle, payment methods, etc., similar to China's declaration elements.
Q: If an automatic vending machine also has gaming functions, how should it be classified?
A: It should be determined based on the main function. If the main function is vending, classify under 847610; if the main function is gaming, classify under 9504. If it cannot be determined, reference may be made to customs advance classification rulings.
Q: Are HS codes for automatic vending machines consistent across countries?
A: The first six digits of HS codes are basically consistent internationally, but countries may subdivide the last four digits. For example, the U.S. HTSUS is 8476.10.00, the EU is 8476.10.00, and China is 84761000. It is recommended to check the specific code of the target country.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.