HS 843340 Straw or fodder balers, including pick-up balers
Quick Answer: Straw or fodder balers, including pick-up balers, imported under HS 843340 enter the UK at 0.00%, the EU at 0.00%, and the US at Free under the MFN rate. This classification specifically covers machinery designed to compress and bind straw or fodder into compact bales for storage or transport. These machines are essential agricultural implements. According to CustomTariffs data, these rates indicate a generally favorable trade environment for these goods across these major markets, suggesting minimal direct tariff barriers for importers. Exporters should verify any non-tariff requirements specific to their destination country.
What Are the Import Duty Rates?
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
| Code | MFN | Preferential | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8433400000 | 0.00 % | — | — |
🇪🇺 European Union (TARIC)
| Code | MFN | Preferential | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8433400000 | 0.00 % | — | — |
🇺🇸 United States (HTSUS)
| Code | MFN | Preferential | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8433400000 | Free | — | ["No."] |
Duty rates sourced from the USITC (US International Trade Commission) Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) (accessed 2/22/2026), EU TARIC – DG TAXUD (Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union) (accessed 2/22/2026), and UK Trade Tariff – HMRC (His Majesty's Revenue and Customs) (accessed 2/22/2026).
Data compiled and presented by HSRates.
How Has Trade Volume Developed?
Trade Volume 2023
How to Classify This HS Code?
What products does HS 843340 cover?
This subheading covers straw or fodder balers, specifically those designed for collecting and compressing loose agricultural material into compact bales. This includes pick-up balers, which are self-propelled or tractor-drawn machines that gather material from the field and form it into bales. According to the World Customs Organization's Harmonized System Explanatory Notes, these machines are essential for the efficient handling and storage of hay, straw, and other fodder crops, facilitating their transportation and preservation.
What falls outside HS 843340?
The following products are excluded from HS 843340: machinery for harvesting crops before baling, such as combine harvesters (HS 8433 51-8433 59), and machines that only chop or shred fodder without baling (often classified under HS 8433 20 or HS 8436). Additionally, stationary baling presses not equipped with pick-up mechanisms for field collection are typically classified under other headings within Chapter 84, depending on their specific design and function, such as HS 8472 for office machinery or HS 8422 for packing machinery.
What are common classification mistakes for HS 843340?
A common error is misclassifying multi-functional agricultural machines that perform baling as part of a broader harvesting process. For instance, a combine harvester that also has a baling attachment might be incorrectly classified solely under 843340. According to General Interpretative Rule 3(b) of the Harmonized System, where goods are presented in sets for retail sale, classification is determined by the component that gives them their essential character; in this case, the harvesting function often predominates.
How should importers classify products under HS 843340?
The correct procedure for classifying straw or fodder balers under HS 843340 involves a detailed examination of the machine's primary function and design. Importers and customs brokers must verify that the machine is specifically designed for collecting and baling loose straw or fodder directly from the field, typically featuring a pick-up mechanism. Consulting the official tariff schedules of the importing country, such as the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) or the EU's TARIC database, and reviewing the relevant Explanatory Notes from the WCO are crucial steps.
How is the duty calculated for products under HS 843340?
A John Deere 467 round baler, weighing 3,000 kg and declared at a customs value of $25,000 USD, would attract a US duty of $1,250. This is calculated using the Most Favored Nation (MFN) duty rate of 5.0% ad valorem, as published in the USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) for subheading 8433.40.00. The calculation is: 5.0% × $25,000 USD = $1,250 USD.
Which trade agreements reduce duties for HS 843340?
Several free trade agreements may reduce the applicable duty rate for HS 843340, including the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Under USMCA, eligible balers originating from Canada or Mexico can enter the United States duty-free. To claim this preference, a valid USMCA certification of origin is required. Additionally, the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) may offer reduced or zero duties for eligible products from certain developing countries, often requiring a GSP Form A.
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FAQ
What are the import duty rates for HS code 843340 (Straw or fodder balers)?
The Most Favored Nation (MFN) duty rate for HS code 843340 is 0.00% ad valorem in the United States. Under the EU TARIC system, the rate is also 0.00%. Similarly, the UK Trade Tariff lists a duty rate of Free for this classification. Importers should always verify current rates as they can change.
How is the classification of a straw or fodder baler (HS 843340) determined?
HS code 843340 specifically covers machines designed for the compression and binding of straw or fodder into bales. This includes 'pick-up balers' which collect material directly from the field. The key classification criteria are the machine's primary function: to bale loose agricultural material. Machines that perform other primary functions, such as mowing or raking, would be classified elsewhere.
What documentation is typically required for importing straw or fodder balers under HS 843340?
Standard import documentation for HS 843340 includes a commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading or air waybill. Depending on the importing country and the origin of the goods, a certificate of origin may be required to claim preferential duty rates. It is also advisable to have the manufacturer's specifications or a product brochure to support the HS classification.
Do any trade agreements offer preferential duty rates for HS code 843340?
While the MFN duty rate is often 0.00% for this HS code in major markets like the US, EU, and UK, trade agreements can still be relevant for other countries or for specific origin scenarios. For example, goods originating from countries with a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the importing nation might benefit from reduced or eliminated duties, even if the MFN rate is already low. Importers should consult the specific trade agreement between the exporting and importing countries.
How is the import duty for a straw or fodder baler calculated, and can you provide an example?
For HS code 843340, the duty is typically calculated on an ad valorem basis, meaning a percentage of the declared customs value of the goods. Since the MFN duty rate in many countries is 0.00%, the calculated duty is often zero.
Example: If a straw baler is valued at $10,000 USD and the MFN duty rate is 0.00%, the calculation would be: $10,000 (Value) × 0.00% (Duty Rate) = $0.00 (Duty Amount). Even if a preferential rate were applicable and higher, the calculation remains the same: Value × Duty Rate = Duty Amount.