WCO Explanatory Notes reproduced for reference. © World Customs Organization. Verify against official WCO publication.
84.59 - Machine-tools (including way-type unit head machines) for drilling, boring, milling, threading or tappin by removing metal, other than Iathes (including turning centres) of heading 8 l 5 8 (+). 8459.10 - Way-type unit head machines - Other drilling machines : - - Numerically controlled 8459.29 - - Other - Other boring-milling machines : 8459.31 - - Numerically controlled 8459.39 - - Other 8459.40 - Other boring machines 8459.21 - Milling machines, knee-type : 8459.51 8459.59 8459.6 1 8459.69 - - Numerically controlled - - Other - Other milling machines : - - Numerically controlled - - Other 8459.70 - Other threading or tapping machines This heading covers machine-tools for drilling, boring, milling, threadin or tapping by removing metal, other than lathes (including turning centres) of heading 8 4 . d Ln general machine-tools are power-driven but similar machines, worked by hand or edal, are also covered by this heading. These latter types can be distin ished from the han tools of f fr heading 82.05 and from the tools for working in the hand of eading 84.67, by the fact that they are usually designed to be mounted on the floor, on a bench, on a wall or on another machine, and are thus usually provided with a base plate, mounting frame, stand, etc. This heading covers : (1) Way-type unit head machines. These machines, which are desi ed to erform drillin , borm~,millin , threading or tapping operations, have no attachedyae. &ey consist on y of a ' fiarne" &&ng a motor and a tool holder and are equip ed with guides (ways) and can therefore move back and forth repetitively when place on a suitable base. The wor iece is inserted in a work holder inde endent of the way-type unit head machine whic moves back and forth horizontally for &lling, boring, etc. "R s f (2) Drillin machines. These are used for cutting cylindrical holes, including recessed holes, in artic es by means of a rotatin tool called a drill or bit. The article remains immobile durin the working of the tool w ich is rotated (cuttin action) or fed into the work (feed action$. This h e d n g also covers drilling machines w ch employ a fixed tool to work a rotating article, or like machines using both processes. k % ii Drillin machines include single s indle machines, radial or otherwise, and machines with severa spindles (multi-spindle dril ing machines). F f (3) Boring machines. These further work the internal surface of an existing hole to exact dimensions. Boring may be cylindrical, conical or s herical. Boring machines are used, for example, for worlung to exact dimensions the cylinI fer bores of piston engines or pumps. The operation of boring involves the use of free standin facing tools with fixed dimensions (borer drills, straight or helically-fluted finis%mg borers) or variable dimensions (expanding-end borers, inset-strip borers, micrometrically adjustable boring heads, boring heads wtth inset cutters) or with tools working on a guideway (adjustable, expanding or non-adjustable cutters and hollow one-piece sleeves or sleeves wlth inset parts). This heading includes, inter alia, vertical borin machines, horizontal boring machines multiple %oring machines,. boring machines for ored shafts as well as machmes commonly called spindle made up of two concentric spindles which interior spindle consists of a long sleeve allowing the borer), while the external spindle, enerally coupled to for fitting with a milling cutter (mi ing spindle). r This headin also covers those machines desi ed and built essentially for boring, even if they are a&fed for carryin out other a btional operations (for example, drilling, surfacing, mi ing, turnin an sometimes even screw cutting . On the other hand, lathes (includin turning centre8 which carry out boring as an auxl iary or additional operation are classi ed in heading 84.58. d % I (4) Milling machines. These work a plane or profile surface by means of rotating tools (known as milling cutters , the circular cutting movement is combined w ~ t ha traversing movement of the article ed on the machine table. Milling machines include, inter alia, horizontal milling machines, vertical milling machines, horizontal-vertical millin machines, milling machines with adjustable heads, plane-milling machines, univers milling machines which, in addition to the normal milling work, can by means of a dividing head mounted on the machine, mill splines in a shaft, or spur or helical gears, repetitive milling machines, milling machines for grooving or chamfering, engraving millers. t), (5) Tapping machines (i.e., machines to produce a screw thread in an existing hole) and threading machines for threading bolts, screws, etc. It should be noted that thread milling machines are regarded as milling machines. PARTS AND ACCESSORIES Sub'ect to the general provisions regarding the classification of arts (see the General ~x~!anato? Note to Section XVI),parts and accessories (other than t!e tools of Chapter 82) of the mac me-tools of this heading are classified in heading 84.66. The heading also excludes : (a) Machine-tools for working an material by removal of material, by laser or other light or photon beam, ultrasonic, electm-discLe, electro-chemical, electmn beam, ionic-beam or plasma arc processes; water-jet cutting machines (heading 84.56). (b) Machining centres, unit construction machines (single station) and multi-station transfer machines, for working metal (heading 84.57). (c) Lathes (including turning centres) for removing metal (heading 84.58). (d) Machine-tools for planing and other machine-tools working by removing metal, of heading 84.61. (e) Tools for working in the hand, pneumatic, hydraulic or with self-contained electric or non-electric motor (heading 84.67). ( f ) Machines and appliances for testing, of heading 90.24.
Subheading Explanatory Notes. Subheadings 8459.21,8459.31,8459.51 and 8459.61 See the Explanatory Note to subheadings 8458.11 and 8458.91. Subheadings 8459.51 and 8459.59 The machines of these subheadings can be identified by the presence of a console which consists of a horizontal element which moves vertically on a stand by means of guideways. This stand supports the worhble which is operated in a transverse direction. The console usually contains the devices necessary to dnve the machines.
Notes. 1.- This Chapter does not cover : (a) Millstones, grindstones or other articles of Chapter 68; (b) Machinery or appliances (for example, pumps) of ceramic material and ceramic parts of machinery or appliances of any material (Chapter 69); (c) Laboratory glassware (heading 70.17); machinery, appliances or other articles for technical uses or parts thereof, of glass (heading 70.19 or 70.20); (d) Articles of heading 73.21 or 73.22 or similar articles of other base metals (Chapters 74 to 76 or 78 to 81); (e) Vacuum cleaners of heading 85.08; (f) Electro-mechanical domestic appliances of heading 85.09; digital cameras of heading 85.25; (g) Radiators for the articles of Section XVII; or (h) Hand-operated mechanical floor sweepers, not motorised (heading 96.03). 2.- Subject to the operation of Note 3 to Section XVI and subject to Note 11 to this Chapter, a machine or appliance which answers to a description in one or more of the headings 84.01 to 84.24, or heading 84.86 and at the same time to a description in one or more of the headings 84.25 to 84.80 is to be classified under the appropriate heading of the former group or under heading 84.86, as the case may be, and not the latter group. (A) Heading 84.19 does not, however, cover : (i) Germination plant, incubators or brooders (heading 84.36); (ii) Grain dampening machines (heading 84.37); (iii) Diffusing apparatus for sugar juice extraction (heading 84.38); (iv) Machinery for the heat-treatment of textile yarns, fabrics or made up textile articles (heading 84.51); or (v) Machinery, plant or laboratory equipment designed for a mechanical operation, in which a change of temperature, even if necessary, is subsidiary. (B) Heading 84.22 does not cover : (i) Sewing machines for closing bags or similar containers (heading 84.52); or (ii) Office machinery of heading 84.72. (C) Heading 84.24 does not cover : (i) Ink-jet printing machines (heading 84.43); or (ii) Water-jet cutting machines (heading 84.56). 3.- A machine-tool for working any material which answers to a description in heading 84.56 and at the same time to a description in heading 84.57, 84.58, 84.59, 84.60, 84.61, 84.64 or 84.65 is to be classified in heading 84.56. 4.- Heading 84.57 applies only to machine-tools for working metal, other than lathes (including turning centres), which can carry out different types of machining operations either : (a) by automatic tool change from a magazine or the like in conformity with a machining programme (machining centres), (b) by the automatic use, simultaneously or sequentially, of different unit heads working on a fixed position workpiece (unit construction machines, single station), or (c) by the automatic transfer of the workpiece to different unit heads (multi-station transfer machines). 5.- For the purposes of heading 84.62, a “slitting line” for flat products is a processing line composed of an uncoiler, a coil flattener, a slitter and a recoiler. A “cut-to-length line” for flat products is a processing line composed of an uncoiler, a coil flattener, and a shear. 6.- (A) For the purposes of heading 84.71, the expression “automatic data processing machines” means machines capable of : (i) Storing the processing program or programs and at least the data immediately necessary for the execution of the program; (ii) Being freely programmed in accordance with the requirements of the user; (iii) Performing arithmetical computations specified by the user; and (iv) Executing, without human intervention, a processing program which requires them to modify their execution, by logical decision during the processing run. (B) Automatic data processing machines may be in the form of systems consisting of a variable number of separate units. (C) Subject to paragraphs (D) and (E) below, a unit is to be regarded as being part of an automatic data processing system if it meets all of the following conditions : (i) It is of a kind solely or principally used in an automatic data processing system; (ii) It is connectable to the central processing unit either directly or through one or more other units; and (iii) It is able to accept or deliver data in a form (codes or signals) which can be used by the system. Separately presented units of an automatic data processing machine are to be classified in heading 84.71. However, keyboards, X-Y co-ordinate input devices and disk storage units which satisfy the conditions of paragraphs (C) (ii) and (C) (iii) above, are in all cases to be classified as units of heading 84.71. (D) Heading 84.71 does not cover the following when presented separately, even if they meet all of the conditions set forth in Note 6 (C) above : (i) Printers, copying machines, facsimile machines, whether or not combined; (ii) Apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, including apparatus for communication in a wired or wireless network (such as a local or wide area network); (iii) Loudspeakers and microphones; (iv) Television cameras, digital cameras and video camera recorders; (v) Monitors and projectors, not incorporating television reception apparatus. (E) Machines incorporating or working in conjunction with an automatic data processing machine and performing a specific function other than data processing are to be classified in the headings appropriate to their respective functions or, failing that, in residual headings. 7.- Heading 84.82 applies, inter alia, to polished steel balls, the maximum and minimum diameters of which do not differ from the nominal diameter by more than 1 % or by more than 0.05 mm, whichever is less. Other steel balls are to be classified in heading 73.26. 8.- A machine which is used for more than one purpose is, for the purposes of classification, to be treated as if its principal purpose were its sole purpose. Subject to Note 2 to this Chapter and Note 3 to Section XVI, a machine the principal purpose of which is not described in any heading or for which no one purpose is the principal purpose is, unless the context otherwise requires, to be classified in heading 84.79. Heading 84.79 also covers machines for making rope or cable (for example, stranding, twisting or cabling machines) from metal wire, textile yarn or any other material or from a combination of such materials. 9.- For the purposes of heading 84.70, the term “pocket-size” applies only to machines the dimensions of which do not exceed 170 mm x 100 mm x 45 mm. 10.- For the purposes of heading 84.85, the expression “additive manufacturing” (also referred to as 3D printing) means the formation of physical objects, based on a digital model, by the successive addition and layering, and consolidation and solidification, of material (for example, metal, plastics or ceramics). Subject to Note 1 to Section XVI and Note 1 to Chapter 84, machines answering to the description in heading 84.85 are to be classified in that heading and in no other heading of the Nomenclature. 11.- (A) Notes 12 (a) and 12 (b) to Chapter 85 also apply with respect to the expressions “semiconductor devices” and “electronic integrated circuits”, respectively, as used in this Note and in heading 84.86. However, for the purposes of this Note and of heading 84.86, the expression “semiconductor devices” also covers photosensitive semiconductor devices and light-emitting diodes (LED). (B) For the purposes of this Note and of heading 84.86, the expression “manufacture of flat panel displays” covers the fabrication of substrates into a flat panel. It does not cover the manufacture of glass or the assembly of printed circuit boards or other electronic components onto the flat panel. The expression “flat panel display” does not cover cathode-ray tube technology. (C) Heading 84.86 also includes machines and apparatus solely or principally of a kind used for : (i) the manufacture or repair of masks and reticles; (ii) assembling semiconductor devices or electronic integrated circuits; (iii) lifting, handling, loading or unloading of boules, wafers, semiconductor devices, electronic integrated circuits and flat panel displays. (D) Subject to Note 1 to Section XVI and Note 1 to Chapter 84, machines and apparatus answering to the description in heading 84.86 are to be classified in that heading and in no other heading of the Nomenclature. Subheading Notes. 1.- For the purposes of subheading 8465.20, the term “machining centres” applies only to machine-tools for working wood, cork, bone, hard rubber, hard plastics or similar hard materials, which can carry out different types of machining operations by automatic tool change from a magazine or the like in conformity with a machining programme. 2.- For the purposes of subheading 8471.49, the term “systems” means automatic data processing machines whose units satisfy the conditions laid down in Note 6 (C) to Chapter 84 and which comprise at least a central processing unit, one input unit (for example, a keyboard or a scanner), and one output unit (for example, a visual display unit or a printer). 3.- For the purposes of subheading 8481.20, the expression “valves for oleohydraulic or pneumatic transmissions” means valves which are used specifically in the transmission of “fluid power” in a hydraulic or pneumatic system, where the energy source is supplied in the form of pressurised fluids (liquid or gas). These valves may be of any type (for example, pressure-reducing type, check type). Subheading 8481.20 takes precedence over all other subheadings of heading 84.81. 4.- Subheading 8482.40 applies only to bearings with cylindrical rollers of a uniform diameter not exceeding 5 mm and having a length which is at least three times the diameter. The ends of the rollers may be rounded.