HS Code:
Offset Lithography falls under HS Code 8443, which includes printing machinery used for printing by means of plates, cylinders, and other printing components. Offset lithography is a widely used printing technique where the inked image is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket and then to the printing surface. This category is critical in industries such as publishing, packaging, and commercial printing. The machinery and components in this category are essential for high-volume, high-quality printing applications, catering to newspapers, magazines, books, and advertising materials.
Total Trade Volume
USD 5.2 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
USD 1.5 billion
28.8% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 1.1 billion
21.2% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 800 million
15.4% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 600 million
11.5% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 400 million
7.7% of total trade of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
4.5% ad valorem
Highest Rate
12% (imposed by certain developing countries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-Japan EPA)
Shift towards digital integration
Increasing demand for hybrid offset-digital printing machines to cater to personalized and short-run printing needs, reducing reliance on traditional offset alone.
2021-2023
Sustainability focus
Growing adoption of eco-friendly inks and energy-efficient machinery to meet environmental regulations, influencing purchasing decisions in developed markets.
2020-2023
Growth in packaging printing
Rising e-commerce and consumer goods sectors are driving demand for offset lithographic machinery tailored for packaging materials like corrugated boxes and labels.
2019-2023
The European Union introduced new regulations requiring printing machinery to meet stringent energy efficiency and emission standards, impacting offset lithography equipment manufacturers.
January 2023
Increased production costs for non-compliant manufacturers but opens opportunities for companies investing in green technology.
Ongoing trade disputes have led to additional tariffs on Chinese-made offset printing machinery entering the US market, prompting US buyers to explore alternative suppliers.
March 2022
Shift in trade patterns, with increased imports from Japan and Germany to the US.
Major manufacturers like Heidelberg and Komori unveiled new offset presses with AI-driven automation and reduced setup times at the drupa 2023 trade fair.
May 2023
Boosts productivity and attracts investment in modern machinery, especially in high-growth markets like Asia-Pacific.