HS Code:
Punching, notching, or nibbling machines (excluding presses) for flat products, including combined punching and shearing machines, fall under HS Code 846241. These machines are specialized industrial tools used for cutting, shaping, or forming flat metal sheets or other materials through mechanical processes. They are widely used in manufacturing sectors such as automotive, aerospace, construction, and metal fabrication. These machines are distinct from presses due to their specific mechanisms for creating holes, notches, or intricate shapes in materials without deforming the entire sheet. Global trade in this category reflects demand for precision manufacturing equipment driven by industrialization and automation trends.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately $1.2 billion USD
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database & World Trade Organization (WTO) Statistics
$320 million USD
26.7% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$250 million USD
20.8% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$180 million USD
15.0% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
$150 million USD
12.5% of total trade of total trade
Stable
$100 million USD
8.3% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
Average Rate
5.2% ad valorem
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing economies for industrial protection)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-Japan EPA or USMCA)
Increased adoption of CNC (Computer Numerical Control) technology in punching and nibbling machines
Drives demand for high-precision equipment, particularly in automotive and aerospace industries, boosting trade in advanced models from Germany and Japan
2021-2023
Rising automation in manufacturing sectors in emerging markets
Increases imports of cost-effective machines from China and other Asian countries to support industrial growth in regions like Southeast Asia and Africa
2020-2022
Shift towards sustainable manufacturing practices
Encourages demand for energy-efficient machines, influencing trade patterns towards exporters offering eco-friendly technologies, particularly from the EU
2022-2023
The European Union imposed provisional anti-dumping duties on certain punching and shearing machines from specific Asian countries, citing unfair pricing practices that harmed domestic producers.
March 2023
May lead to a shift in trade flows, with EU importers seeking alternative suppliers from unaffected regions, potentially benefiting manufacturers in Japan and the US.
Under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, tariff-free trade of industrial machinery, including punching and notching machines, has increased intra-regional trade among the member countries.
January 2023
Strengthens the position of the US and Mexico as key markets and suppliers within North America, reducing dependency on Asian imports.
Leading German manufacturers introduced a new line of hybrid punching-shearing machines with enhanced automation and energy efficiency, gaining significant market attention at global trade fairs.
September 2022
Reinforces Germanyโs dominance in the high-end segment of this market, likely increasing export volumes to tech-driven industries worldwide.