HS Code:
The Stereotype-matrix board and mat category, typically classified under HS Code 8442.30 (machinery, apparatus, and equipment for preparing or making printing plates, cylinders, and other printing components), includes materials and equipment used in the printing industry for creating stereotype matrices, boards, and mats. These products are essential in traditional printing processes, particularly for producing high-quality, large-scale prints. This category encompasses a range of items from metal or polymer-based matrices to specialized mats used in offset and letterpress printing. The global trade of this category is driven by demand in publishing, packaging, and industrial printing sectors, although it faces challenges from digital printing technologies.
Total Trade Volume
Approximately USD 250 million
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
USD 60 million
24% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 45 million
18% of total trade of total trade
Stable
USD 40 million
16% of total trade of total trade
Decreasing
USD 35 million
14% of total trade of total trade
Increasing
USD 20 million
8% of total trade of total trade
Stable
Average Rate
5.2% ad valorem
Highest Rate
12% (imposed by certain developing countries to protect domestic industries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-Japan EPA)
Shift towards digital printing technologies
Decreasing demand for traditional stereotype-matrix boards and mats as digital solutions offer faster and more cost-effective alternatives
2020-2022
Increased demand for sustainable materials
Growing preference for eco-friendly matrices and mats, pushing manufacturers to innovate with recyclable or biodegradable materials
2021-2023
Growth in packaging industry
Rising demand for high-quality printing in packaging, especially in e-commerce, partially offsetting declines in other printing sectors
2019-2022
The European Union introduced new regulations requiring stereotype-matrix materials to meet higher environmental sustainability standards, affecting importers and manufacturers.
March 2023
Increased production costs for non-compliant suppliers, potentially shifting market share to EU-based manufacturers.
Chinese manufacturers have invested heavily in expanding production facilities for printing equipment and materials, aiming to capture a larger share of the global market.
July 2022
Increased competition for traditional leaders like Germany and Japan, potentially lowering global prices.
The United States imposed additional tariffs on imported printing machinery and components from specific countries as part of broader trade policies.
October 2021
Higher costs for US-based printing companies, leading to a slight decline in import volumes and a push for domestic alternatives.