HS Code 8438.50 : Machinery for the preparation of meat or poultry
MODULE 2: EXTRACTABLE ANSWER (AEO / SPEAKABLE)
EN (Official WCO)
FR (Pending)
ES (Pending)
The 6-digit Harmonized System (HS) code for machinery for the preparation of meat or poultry is 8438.50. Under the 2026 Sri Lanka (Customs), the representative MFN general duty rate is 0% [Sri Lanka Customs].
MODULE 3: SIGNATURE A: HS DECODE VISUAL HIERARCHY
Chapter 84
Machinery, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter, for the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink, other than machinery for the extraction or preparation of animal or fixed vegetable or microbial fats or oils; parts thereof
Heading 8438
Machinery, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter, for the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink, other than machinery for the extraction or preparation of animal or fixed vegetable or microbial fats or oils; parts thereof
Subheading .50
.50
Machinery for the preparation of meat or poultry
MODULE 4: SIGNATURE B: TARIFF MATRIX
Import Duty Rates by Destination
United StatesUnited KingdomEuropean UnionCanadaMexicoChinaJapanIndiaAustraliaSouth KoreaGermanyBrazilTürkiyeChinese TaipeiVietnamThailandIndonesiaMalaysiaSingaporeSaudi ArabiaUnited Arab EmiratesSouth AfricaEgyptIsraelChileColombiaPeruPhilippinesPakistanNew ZealandNorwayNigeriaKenyaMoroccoArgentinaEcuadorBangladeshUkraineKazakhstanQatarKuwaitOmanJordanBahrainSri LankaTunisiaGhanaCôte d'IvoireGeorgiaCambodiaPanamaCosta RicaDominican Republic
Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka Customs Tariff 2026)
8438.50
MODULE 5: SRI LANKA IMPORT DUTY & 18% VAT BREAKDOWN
Import VAT / Tax Rate
18% VAT
Local Tax Rate
Notice: Sri Lanka customs entry, tariff classification, MFN duty rates, and 18% VAT are governed by Sri Lanka Customs. Always verify declarable lines with Sri Lanka Customs prior to import.
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MODULE 6: Mandatory Customs Entry Document Matrix
Rule-Derived Customs Entry Package Checklist
UNIVERSAL DOCUMENT
Commercial Invoice
Itemized description, currency, Incoterms, seller/buyer details, and country of origin.
UNIVERSAL DOCUMENT
Packing List & Bill of Lading
Gross/net weight, container/seal numbers, piece count, and transport B/L or Air Waybill.
PREFERENTIAL RULE
Certificate of Origin (If Claiming FTA)
Required only when claiming zero-duty preference under USMCA, KORUS, or GSP.
MODULE 7: Regulatory Compliance & Partner Government Agency (PGA) Flags
Standard Entry
This commodity does not carry mandatory PGA pre-clearance flags under the ACE message set.
MODULE 8: Trade Remedies (Section 301, Section 232, AD/CVD)
China Section 301 Tariff Status
7.5% – 25% Additional Duty (China Origin)
Section 232 Steel/Aluminum Status
Exempt (Non-Metal Commodity)
EU CBAM Carbon Alert
Not in Scope
MODULE 9: Free Trade Agreements (FTA) & Rules of Origin (RoO)
Browse all preferential trade calculators & compliance tools in our Customs Tools Hub ↗.
| Agreement Code | Trade Agreement / Program | Preferential Rate | Rules of Origin (RoO) Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| P | United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) | Free | Must meet USMCA Regional Value Content (RVC) or tariff shift rules. |
| KR | U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) | Free | Direct shipment from South Korea with KORUS Certificate of Origin. |
| AU | U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement | Free | Wholly obtained or tariff shift rule under US-Australia FTA. |
| A / D | GSP / African Growth & Opportunity Act (AGOA) | Free | 35% local value-add requirement for beneficiary country origin. |
MODULE 10: Logistics, Freight & Transport Specifications
Standard 20ft Container
~28 CBM / 28,000 kg Payload
Standard 40ft High-Cube
~68 CBM / 28,600 kg Payload
Stowage Factor & Handling
Standard commercial packaging for Machinery for the preparation of meat or poultry
MODULE 11: Sri Lanka Customs Advance Ruling System
Legally binding advance tariff rulings issued by Sri Lanka Customs for HS 8438.50.
Query official Customs portal:
Search Official Customs Portal for 8438.50 →Sri Lanka Declarable Tariff Schedule (8438.50)
National line-level (8/10-digit) detail for Sri Lanka (Customs): coverage in progress.
Universal 6-digit WCO backbone applied rate: 0%. Confirm the full national commodity code at the official source (Sri Lanka Customs).
MODULE 12: Candidate Subheadings & Related Codes
| Related HS Code | Heading Category | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 8438.10 | Subheading under Heading 8438 | Compare Subheading 8438.10 → |
| 8438.20 | Subheading under Heading 8438 | Compare Subheading 8438.20 → |
| 8438.30 | Subheading under Heading 8438 | Compare Subheading 8438.30 → |
| 8438.40 | Subheading under Heading 8438 | Compare Subheading 8438.40 → |
| 8438.60 | Subheading under Heading 8438 | Compare Subheading 8438.60 → |
| 8438.80 | Subheading under Heading 8438 | Compare Subheading 8438.80 → |
| 8438.90 | Subheading under Heading 8438 | Compare Subheading 8438.90 → |
Official Primary Sources & Authority References
USITC HTS Chapter 84 Tariff Schedule (2026) ↗
Official U.S. 10-digit tariff lines and general duty rates for Machinery for the preparation of meat or poultry.
CBP CROSS Ruling Database (8438.50) ↗
Binding customs classification precedents for Heading 8438.
MODULE 14: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) & Operational Guide
What is the 6-digit WCO tariff classification and United States (USITC HTS) general duty for Machinery for the preparation of meat or poultry?
Under WCO Harmonized System 2022 and United States (USITC HTS), Machinery for the preparation of meat or poultry is classified under HS 8438.50 (Heading 8438, Chapter 84). The representative LK MFN general duty rate is 0%.
How is HS 8438.50 distinguished within Heading 8438 (Machinery, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter, for the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink, other than machinery for the extraction or preparation of animal or fixed vegetable or microbial fats or oils; parts thereof)?
Heading 8438 covers Machinery, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter, for the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink, other than machinery for the extraction or preparation of animal or fixed vegetable or microbial fats or oils; parts thereof. Subheading 8438.50 specifically isolates Machinery for the preparation of meat or poultry. Importers must verify whether physical characteristics, processing state, or composition require alternative subheadings under Heading 8438.
What are the primary candidate subheadings related to HS 8438.50?
Related subheadings under Heading 8438 include 8438.10, 8438.20, 8438.30, 8438.40, 8438.60, 8438.80, 8438.90. Classification depends on processing stage, decaffeination, purity, or material form.
What mandatory commercial entry documents are required to import Machinery for the preparation of meat or poultry?
Commercial Invoice (detailing Incoterms, currency, and origin), Packing List, Bill of Lading (or Air Waybill), CBP Form 7501 Entry Summary, and a continuous customs bond are required for formal entries.
Can goods under HS 8438.50 enter duty-free under USMCA or Free Trade Agreements?
Yes. Eligible goods originating in Mexico, Canada, South Korea, or Australia enter duty-free under preference SPI codes (P, KR, AU) provided they satisfy Regional Value Content (RVC) or tariff-shift rules with a valid Certificate of Origin.
What is the US formal entry threshold for shipments of Machinery for the preparation of meat or poultry?
Commercial shipments of Machinery for the preparation of meat or poultry with a customs value exceeding $2,500 USD require formal customs entry (CBP Form 7501) and a continuous entry bond. Informal entry applies to lower values.
How can an importer obtain a binding CBP classification ruling for HS 8438.50?
Importers may submit an e-Ruling request under 19 CFR Part 177 to CBP National Commodity Specialist Division (NCSD) to obtain a legally binding tariff classification ruling prior to importation.
What import VAT or sales tax applies to HS 8438.50 in Sri Lanka?
Commercial imports of Machinery for the preparation of meat or poultry under HS 8438.50 into Sri Lanka are subject to 18% VAT, assessed on the entered customs value plus applicable duties.
What is the customs duty de minimis threshold in Sri Lanka?
The customs de minimis threshold for import shipments into Sri Lanka is LKR threshold. Consignments under this value may qualify for duty-free or simplified entry under local regulations.
Which authority regulates customs entry and tariff classification in Sri Lanka?
Customs declarations, import duty assessments, and Sri Lanka Customs Advance Ruling System for HS 8438.50 are administered by Sri Lanka Customs.
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