HS code and import duty for scrap machinery
Two buyers import the same shear. One pays duty on a machine tool; the other pays duty on a press. The difference is the HS code on the invoice — and it is decided before the container ships, not at the destination port.
Why the code matters more than the rate
The HS code (Harmonised System) determines three things:
- the duty rate at import
- whether an import licence or certification is required
- whether the goods can enter at all, or need a different customs procedure
Get it wrong and the container sits at the port while a broker argues with customs — which is a cost measured in demurrage per day, not in percentage points.
Where scrap processing machines usually fall
Most shears, balers and presses for scrap metal are classified in the metalworking machinery chapters — commonly under HS 8462 (machine tools for working metal by forging, hammering, shearing, punching or pressing). Lifting magnets and grabs are usually classified with lifting and handling equipment rather than with machine tools.
Two cautions:
- Classification depends on what the machine does, not what it is called in the brochure. A shear that only cuts is not the same as a press that compacts.
- The final code is confirmed by the importer’s customs broker in the destination country. We provide the technical description and the material list; your broker confirms the heading.
What changes the duty you actually pay
1. Trade agreements
Many countries apply a reduced or zero rate to goods with a valid certificate of origin from a partner country. Whether China-origin machinery qualifies depends on the agreement your country has — this is worth checking before the order, not after.
2. Declared value
Duty is charged on the customs value, which includes the goods and, depending on the country, the freight and insurance. An under-declared invoice is not a saving; it is a risk that surfaces years later.
3. The machine’s configuration
A machine shipped with a control cabinet and a spare blade set is still one machine. A machine shipped as “machine” plus “electrical equipment” as separate lines may attract two codes and two rates. How the invoice is structured changes the outcome.
The documents that make clearance boring
| Document | What it does |
|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Value, terms and HS code per line |
| Packing list | Matches the container contents to the invoice |
| Bill of lading | Title document and release instruction |
| Certificate of origin | Supports a preferential rate if one applies |
| CE declaration / test report | Required in some markets for machinery |
| Fumigation certificate (ISPM-15) | Required for solid wood packing in most countries |
The five delays we see most
- Invoice and packing list disagree on a quantity or a weight.
- The HS code on the invoice does not match the machine description.
- Wood packing without an ISPM-15 mark — the container is held for fumigation.
- No certificate of origin, so a preferential rate is missed and the buyer re-files.
- Missing CE or conformity documents for markets that require them.
Questions buyers ask
Can you tell me the exact duty in my country?
No — rates change and depend on your broker’s classification. What we can do is give you the technical description, the material list and the invoice structure your broker needs to classify correctly.
Can you put a lower value on the invoice?
No. It creates a customs risk for you and it invalidates the insurance in a claim.
Who arranges the certificate of origin?
We do, as part of the document pack. What your side confirms is whether your country accepts it for a preferential rate.
Let’s put the right machine to work.
Tell us your material, required output and destination. We’ll discuss a suitable configuration with you.