HS Code:
The category 'Operating by reproducing the original image via an intermediate onto the copy (indirect process)' typically falls under HS Code 8443, which includes printing machinery used for printing by means of plates, cylinders, and other printing components. This category covers equipment used in indirect printing processes such as offset lithography, where the image is transferred from a plate to a rubber blanket before being applied to the printing surface. This technology is widely used in commercial printing for books, newspapers, and packaging materials due to its high-quality output and efficiency in large-scale production.
Total Trade Volume
USD 12.5 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
USD 3.2 billion
25.6% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 2.8 billion
22.4% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 1.9 billion
15.2% of total trade of total trade
Decreasing
USD 1.5 billion
12.0% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 0.9 billion
7.2% of total trade of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
5.2%
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-Japan EPA)
Shift towards digital integration in printing machinery
Increased demand for hybrid indirect printing systems that integrate digital workflows, boosting efficiency and customization capabilities.
2021-2022
Sustainability focus in production
Growing preference for energy-efficient machinery and eco-friendly inks, driven by stricter environmental regulations in Europe and North America.
2020-2022
Rise of automation in printing processes
Automation technologies are reducing labor costs and improving precision, leading to higher adoption rates in developed markets.
2019-2022
The European Union introduced stricter environmental regulations for printing machinery, mandating lower energy consumption and reduced emissions.
March 2023
Manufacturers may face higher compliance costs, potentially increasing prices in the EU market while encouraging innovation in green technology.
Ongoing trade disputes have led to increased tariffs on Chinese-made printing machinery components, disrupting supply chains for US-based assemblers.
January 2023
Potential price hikes and delays in delivery for US customers; opportunity for other exporters like Germany and Japan to fill the gap.
A leading German manufacturer unveiled a new indirect printing system with AI-driven error correction, significantly improving print quality.
September 2022
Likely to drive demand for German machinery, reinforcing Germany's position as a market leader in this category.