Chapter 84 is the core chapter in the HS classification covering mechanical equipment and parts, including power machinery, metalworking machine tools, industrial robots, automatic data processing equipment, refrigeration equipment, textile machinery, etc. This chapter emphasizes the function and use of machines, mechanical appliances, and their parts, rather than material properties. As for rope-making machines, as industrial processing equipment, they fall within the scope of this chapter's 'using mechanical force to change the form or performance of materials,' and are therefore classified under Chapter 84. Heading 8479 covers 'machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter,' and has a broad scope, including public works machinery, industrial robots, vending machines, rope-making machines, etc. This heading is a residual heading and applies to mechanical equipment not specifically named in the preceding headings (such as 8453-8466, etc.). Rope-making machines are classified under 8479 because they are not explicitly listed in headings such as 8453 (leather processing) or 8445 (textile fiber processing). The first 2 digits '84' represent Chapter 84: nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, mechanical appliances, and their parts. The 3rd-4th digits '79' represent heading 8479: machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter. The 5th-6th digits '40' represent subheading 847940: rope-making machines. This subheading is further specified as specialized machinery for making ropes and cables, including stranding machines, rope-closing machines, braiding machines, etc. The complete code 847940 refers to rope-making machines, with no further subdivision under it. Although rope-making machines involve textile fiber processing, they differ from the textile fiber pretreatment, spinning, and weaving machinery of 8445. Their function is specifically to twist or braid fibers or steel wire into ropes and cables, and they are processing equipment with individual functions. At the same time, they are not named in headings such as 8453 (leather processing) or 8462 (metal processing), and are therefore classified under 847940 within the residual heading 8479.
Chapter
Chapter 84 is the core chapter in the HS classification covering mechanical equipment and parts, including power machinery, metalworking machine tools, industrial robots, automatic data processing equipment, refrigeration equipment, textile machinery, etc. This chapter emphasizes the function and use of machines, mechanical appliances, and their parts, rather than material properties. As for rope-making machines, as industrial processing equipment, they fall within the scope of this chapter's 'using mechanical force to change the form or performance of materials,' and are therefore classified under Chapter 84.
Heading
Heading 8479 covers 'machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter,' and has a broad scope, including public works machinery, industrial robots, vending machines, rope-making machines, etc. This heading is a residual heading and applies to mechanical equipment not specifically named in the preceding headings (such as 8453-8466, etc.). Rope-making machines are classified under 8479 because they are not explicitly listed in headings such as 8453 (leather processing) or 8445 (textile fiber processing).
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits '84' represent Chapter 84: nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, mechanical appliances, and their parts. The 3rd-4th digits '79' represent heading 8479: machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter. The 5th-6th digits '40' represent subheading 847940: rope-making machines. This subheading is further specified as specialized machinery for making ropes and cables, including stranding machines, rope-closing machines, braiding machines, etc. The complete code 847940 refers to rope-making machines, with no further subdivision under it.
Classification Basis
Although rope-making machines involve textile fiber processing, they differ from the textile fiber pretreatment, spinning, and weaving machinery of 8445. Their function is specifically to twist or braid fibers or steel wire into ropes and cables, and they are processing equipment with individual functions. At the same time, they are not named in headings such as 8453 (leather processing) or 8462 (metal processing), and are therefore classified under 847940 within the residual heading 8479.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The Chinese and foreign-language names of the declared commodity should accurately reflect the machine's use, such as 'rope-making machine' or 'stranding machine.' Brand type: Fill in foreign brand (OEM production), domestic brand, or no brand, and it must be consistent with the actual situation. Export preferential treatment status: If exporting to a country under a free trade agreement, it is necessary to declare whether preferential origin treatment is enjoyed. Use: Explain the machine's specific application field, such as 'used to produce steel wire ropes, hemp ropes, nylon cables.' Working principle: Briefly describe how the machine makes ropes and cables, such as 'twisting, braiding, or stranding fibers/steel wire through rotation.' Brand (Chinese and foreign language): Fill in the machine brand name; if there is no brand, fill in 'none.' Model: Fill in the product model assigned by the manufacturer for unique identification. Power: Fill in the power of the machine's main motor (kW) to reflect the equipment specifications. Product name: rope-making machine (stranding machine); Brand type: foreign brand (Italy); Export preferential treatment status: no preference; Use: used to twist steel wire into strands and further close them into steel wire rope; Working principle: twisting steel wire at a set lay length through multiple groups of rotating spindles; Brand: XXX; Model: XXX-2000; Power: 45 kW. Incorrectly classifying rope-making machines under 8445 (textile machinery), resulting in false declaration. The use description does not reflect rope/cable manufacturing, which may raise doubts about classification. Incorrect filling of brand and model, affecting customs document review and subsequent verification.
Product name
The Chinese and foreign-language names of the declared commodity should accurately reflect the machine's use, such as 'rope-making machine' or 'stranding machine.'
⚠️ Writing only 'machine' or 'equipment' without reflecting the rope-making function.
Brand type
Fill in foreign brand (OEM production), domestic brand, or no brand, and it must be consistent with the actual situation.
⚠️ Confusing brand with manufacturer, or filling in 'domestic brand' when there is no brand.
Export preferential treatment status
If exporting to a country under a free trade agreement, it is necessary to declare whether preferential origin treatment is enjoyed.
⚠️ Incorrectly filling in 'no preference' when the goods actually meet the preferential conditions.
Use
Explain the machine's specific application field, such as 'used to produce steel wire ropes, hemp ropes, nylon cables.'
⚠️ The use description is too general, such as 'used for industrial production.'
Working principle
Briefly describe how the machine makes ropes and cables, such as 'twisting, braiding, or stranding fibers/steel wire through rotation.'
⚠️ Failing to describe the core principle and writing only 'mechanical processing.'
Brand (Chinese and foreign language)
Fill in the machine brand name; if there is no brand, fill in 'none.'
⚠️ Mistaking the model for the brand.
Model
Fill in the product model assigned by the manufacturer for unique identification.
⚠️ Confusing model with specification, or filling it in incompletely.
Power
Fill in the power of the machine's main motor (kW) to reflect the equipment specifications.
⚠️ Filling in total power instead of main motor power.
Example： Product name: rope-making machine (stranding machine); Brand type: foreign brand (Italy); Export preferential treatment status: no preference; Use: used to twist steel wire into strands and further close them into steel wire rope; Working principle: twisting steel wire at a set lay length through multiple groups of rotating spindles; Brand: XXX; Model: XXX-2000; Power: 45 kW.
Common Mistakes：
Incorrectly classifying rope-making machines under 8445 (textile machinery), resulting in false declaration.
The use description does not reflect rope/cable manufacturing, which may raise doubts about classification.
Incorrect filling of brand and model, affecting customs document review and subsequent verification.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the machine's function and use. Rope-making machines are specially used to twist or braid fibers or metal wire into ropes and cables, and are processing equipment with individual functions. They are not named in 8445 (textile fiber processing machinery), because 8445 mainly covers spinning, weaving, knitting, etc., while rope and cable manufacturing is a subsequent independent process. At the same time, heading 8479 explicitly includes 'machines having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter,' so they are classified under 847940. 8445 Textile fiber processing machinery: 8445 covers spinning, weaving, knitting, and other machinery, while rope-making machines are specially used for twisting and braiding ropes and cables and are not equipment for textile fiber pretreatment or spinning. 8453 Leather processing machinery: 8453 is used for processing leather and fur and has nothing to do with rope manufacturing; the functional difference is obvious. 8462 Metal processing machinery: 8462 is used for forging, stamping, cutting, etc., of metal. Although rope-making machines can process steel wire rope, their core function is twisting rather than metal forming. 8479 Other machines having individual functions: 8479 is a residual heading. If rope-making machines are not named in other headings, they are classified under 847940 within this heading. Is the machine specially used for manufacturing ropes and cables? Does it have an individual function rather than being a part of another machine? Is it not named in headings such as 8445, 8453, or 8462? Does the working principle involve twisting, braiding, or stranding? Do the declaration elements fully describe the function and use?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the machine's function and use. Rope-making machines are specially used to twist or braid fibers or metal wire into ropes and cables, and are processing equipment with individual functions. They are not named in 8445 (textile fiber processing machinery), because 8445 mainly covers spinning, weaving, knitting, etc., while rope and cable manufacturing is a subsequent independent process. At the same time, heading 8479 explicitly includes 'machines having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter,' so they are classified under 847940.
Confused Codes：
8445 - Textile fiber processing machinery
8445 covers spinning, weaving, knitting, and other machinery, while rope-making machines are specially used for twisting and braiding ropes and cables and are not equipment for textile fiber pretreatment or spinning.
8453 - Leather processing machinery
8453 is used for processing leather and fur and has nothing to do with rope manufacturing; the functional difference is obvious.
8462 - Metal processing machinery
8462 is used for forging, stamping, cutting, etc., of metal. Although rope-making machines can process steel wire rope, their core function is twisting rather than metal forming.
8479 - Other machines having individual functions
8479 is a residual heading. If rope-making machines are not named in other headings, they are classified under 847940 within this heading.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the machine specially used for manufacturing ropes and cables?
✓ Does it have an individual function rather than being a part of another machine?
✓ Is it not named in headings such as 8445, 8453, or 8462?
✓ Does the working principle involve twisting, braiding, or stranding?
✓ Do the declaration elements fully describe the function and use?
❓ FAQ
Why are rope-making machines classified under 847940 instead of 8445? 8445 covers machinery for textile fiber pretreatment, spinning, weaving, etc., while rope-making machines are independent equipment specially used to twist or braid fibers or steel wire into ropes and cables and do not belong to spinning or weaving processes. Therefore, according to the General Rules for Interpretation, they are classified under 847940 within the residual heading 8479. How can I check the import tax rate for 847940? It can be checked through the 'Import and Export Tariff' on the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China, or by using tools such as the 'Customs Classification Intelligent Navigation.' Tax rates vary depending on trade agreements and origin, and the latest tariff should be used as the standard. How should the 'Use' field be filled in during declaration? It should specifically describe the machine's application field, for example, 'used to produce steel wire ropes, hemp ropes, nylon cables,' and avoid generally writing 'industrial production.' Use is an important factor for customs in determining classification. What regulatory documents are required for rope-making machines? Usually no special regulatory documents are required, but if used mechanical and electrical products are involved, filing for import of used mechanical and electrical products and pre-shipment inspection are required. Specific requirements can be consulted with the local customs. If a machine has both twisting and braiding functions, how should it be classified? It is still classified under 847940, because this subheading covers all rope-making machines. However, the functions should be described in detail during declaration so that customs can confirm the classification. Can export rope-making machines enjoy tax rebates? Export tax rebates depend on the commodity code and rebate rate. The export rebate rate for 847940 must be checked in the latest export rebate rate database. Enterprises can apply for rebates with documents such as customs declarations. Is a machine manual required for classification? It is recommended to provide one, especially key information such as working principle and use. If customs has doubts about classification, it may require technical materials or samples. What is the difference between 847940 and 847989? 847940 is the specific subheading for rope-making machines, while 847989 is the subheading for other machines not elsewhere specified or included under 8479. If a machine is specially used for rope manufacturing, it should first be classified under 847940.
Q: Why are rope-making machines classified under 847940 instead of 8445?
A: 8445 covers machinery for textile fiber pretreatment, spinning, weaving, etc., while rope-making machines are independent equipment specially used to twist or braid fibers or steel wire into ropes and cables and do not belong to spinning or weaving processes. Therefore, according to the General Rules for Interpretation, they are classified under 847940 within the residual heading 8479.
Q: How can I check the import tax rate for 847940?
A: It can be checked through the 'Import and Export Tariff' on the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China, or by using tools such as the 'Customs Classification Intelligent Navigation.' Tax rates vary depending on trade agreements and origin, and the latest tariff should be used as the standard.
Q: How should the 'Use' field be filled in during declaration?
A: It should specifically describe the machine's application field, for example, 'used to produce steel wire ropes, hemp ropes, nylon cables,' and avoid generally writing 'industrial production.' Use is an important factor for customs in determining classification.
Q: What regulatory documents are required for rope-making machines?
A: Usually no special regulatory documents are required, but if used mechanical and electrical products are involved, filing for import of used mechanical and electrical products and pre-shipment inspection are required. Specific requirements can be consulted with the local customs.
Q: If a machine has both twisting and braiding functions, how should it be classified?
A: It is still classified under 847940, because this subheading covers all rope-making machines. However, the functions should be described in detail during declaration so that customs can confirm the classification.
Q: Can export rope-making machines enjoy tax rebates?
A: Export tax rebates depend on the commodity code and rebate rate. The export rebate rate for 847940 must be checked in the latest export rebate rate database. Enterprises can apply for rebates with documents such as customs declarations.
Q: Is a machine manual required for classification?
A: It is recommended to provide one, especially key information such as working principle and use. If customs has doubts about classification, it may require technical materials or samples.
Q: What is the difference between 847940 and 847989?
A: 847940 is the specific subheading for rope-making machines, while 847989 is the subheading for other machines not elsewhere specified or included under 8479. If a machine is specially used for rope manufacturing, it should first be classified under 847940.
⚠️ 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.