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84451100
NUCLEAR REACTORS, BOILERS, MACHINERY AND MECHANICAL APPLIANCES; PARTS THEREOFMachines for preparing textile fibres; spinning, doubling or twisting machines and other machinery for producing textile yarns; textile reeling or winding (including weft-winding) machines and machines for preparing textile yarns for use on the machines of heading 8446 or 8447

Carding machines

Standard EU duty
1.7%
VAT
23%
Additional duties / sanctions
0 rules
Docs required
14 docs
X858Y811Y920C052Y970C076+8
Standard rates
Applies toTypeRateConditionsRegulation
ERGA OMNESThird country duty1.7%-R2261/98
Preferences
AD 0%AL 0%BA 0%CA 0%CAMER 0%CARI 0%CH 0%CI 0%CL 0%CM 0%CO 0%DZ 0%EBA 0%EC 0%EEA 0%EG 0%EH 0%ESA 0%EUCA 0%FJ 0%FO 0%GB 0%GE 0%GH 0%GSP 0%GSP+ 0%IL 0%JO 0%JP 0%KE 0%KR 0%LB 0%LOMB 0%MA 0%MD 0%ME 0%MK 0%MX 0%NZ 0%PE 0%PG 0%PS 0%SADC EPA 0%SB 0%SG 0%SM 0%SWITZ 0%SY 0%TN 0%TR 0%UA 0%VN 0%WS 0%XC 0%XK 0%XL 0%XS 0%ZA 0%
Notes
CD303The relief from or reduction of customs duties shall be subject to the specific request expressed by the declarant in box 44 "Additional information/Documents produced/Certificates and authorisations", of the Single Administrative Document (SAD)
TM904Preferences granted under the agreement between the European Union and Morocco in force from 19 July 2019.As of 3 October 2025, products originating in Western Sahara subject to controls by the customs authorities of the Kingdom of Morocco shall benefit from trade preferences under the terms of the new Agreement in the form of exchange of letters between the EU and Morocco, The European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco have agreed to allow those products to be identified by reference to the region of origin to be included in the proof of origin and as provided for in Protocol 4.In view of the application of these measures, the origin certificates codes U179 and U180 must be declared.The country code to be entered in the origin declaration when these proofs of origin are used is “EH”.
CD727Eligibility to benefit from this preference is subject to the presentation of an origin declaration stating the European Union origin of the goods, in the context of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
CD906The list of non-eligible locations and their postal codes is available at the following address: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/customs/technical-arrangement_postal-codes.pdf
CD500Eligibility to benefit from this preference is subject to the presentation of a proof of origin stating the community origin of the goods, in the context of the agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation.
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3

Binding Tariff Information

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BTI (Binding Tariff Information) is an official EU customs decision confirming the classification of goods. Valid for 3 years, binding across all EU member states.

Definition and classification scope of subheading 8445 11

Subheading 8445 11 of the Combined Nomenclature covers carding machines, which are used for preparing textile fibres by loosening, cleaning and arranging them into a card sliver. Carding machines represent the first stage of the spinning process, converting raw natural fibres (cotton, wool, flax) and synthetic or artificial fibres into a uniform fibre web prepared for further processing. This subheading includes drum carders, flat-top carders and woollen carders. These machines separate entangled fibres, remove impurities and align them in parallel. Classification under subheading 8445 11 is based on the notes to Chapter 84 of the CN and the General Rules for the Interpretation, particularly Rules 1 and 6. Carding machines should be distinguished from combing machines (8445 12) and drawing or spinning machines (8445 13). Where classification doubts arise, importers should apply for Binding Tariff Information (BTI) ruling.

Import requirements and regulations for carding machines (8445 11)

Importing carding machines under subheading 8445 11 into the European Union requires compliance with the Union Customs Code (Regulation (EU) No 952/2013). The importer must hold an EORI number and file a customs declaration with the correct CN code. Carding machines as industrial machinery fall under the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230, requiring CE marking, an EU declaration of conformity and operating instructions. They are also subject to the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) and the EMC Directive (2014/30/EU). Due to the presence of moving mechanical parts such as needle-covered rollers and drums, carding machines must meet stringent safety requirements including protective guards and emergency stop systems. Import documentation includes commercial invoices, transport documents, technical specifications, CE declarations and operating manuals. Large-format carding machines may require special transport arrangements. MFN duty rates should be verified in the TARIC system.

Industrial applications and trade in carding machines (8445 11)

Carding machines classified under subheading 8445 11 are essential equipment in the spinning and textile industry. They are used in cotton, wool, flax and synthetic fibre spinning mills worldwide. Modern carding machines achieve high throughput, processing hundreds of kilograms of fibre per hour. The EU imports carding machines mainly from China, India, Japan, Switzerland and Germany. European textile machinery manufacturers are among the world leaders, though growing Asian competition affects import patterns. MFN duty rates for subheading 8445 11 should be verified in the current TARIC database. Preferential rates may be available under EU FTAs and the GSP for developing countries. Imports from Russia and Belarus are subject to EU sanctions. VAT is charged upon importation. Importers should check TARIC for current trade measures applicable to the specific country of origin. Correct classification is essential for determining customs obligations.

Technical requirements for textile machinery CN 8445 11

Carding machines for fibres under CN 8445 11 are subject to the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 requiring CE marking. Harmonised standards in the EN ISO 11111 series specify detailed safety requirements for textile machinery - guarding of moving parts, emergency stop systems, noise and vibration protection. Electrical machines must comply with the Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU and EMC Directive 2014/30/EU. Importing used machinery requires verification of compliance with current EU standards. Spare parts are classified under the appropriate machine subheading per Section XVI Note 2.

Frequently asked questions

What is a carding machine and what role does it play in the textile industry?
A carding machine is industrial equipment classified under subheading 8445 11, used for loosening, cleaning and arranging raw textile fibres into card sliver. It represents the first stage of the spinning process. Carding machines process natural fibres (cotton, wool, flax) and synthetic fibres by separating entangled fibres and removing impurities. The main types include drum carders, flat-top carders and woollen carders.
What certifications are required when importing carding machines into the EU?
Carding machines imported into the EU must bear CE marking in accordance with the Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230. An EU declaration of conformity, risk assessment and operating instructions in the language of the country of use are required. The machines are also subject to the Low Voltage Directive and EMC Directive. Due to moving mechanical elements, protective guards and emergency stop systems are mandatory. Missing CE documentation prevents placing the machine on the EU market.
How to distinguish carding machines (8445 11) from combing machines (8445 12)?
Carding machines under subheading 8445 11 loosen and initially align fibres, creating card sliver. Combing machines under subheading 8445 12 perform the next processing stage, removing short fibres and impurities and straightening long fibres into combed sliver. Carding machines work with raw fibres, while combing machines process already carded slivers. Correct classification depends on the machine function in the spinning process.
Do used carding machines for fibres (8445 11) require safety guard upgrades?
Used carding machines for fibres under CN 8445 11 imported from outside the EU must meet Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 requirements.