What is vacuum forming?

Vacuum forming is a thermoforming process where a thermoplastic sheet is heated to a pliable forming temperature, stretched over a mold, and shaped using vacuum pressure. It is one of the most cost-effective methods for producing large plastic parts with relatively low tooling costs compared to injection molding.

What is the difference between vacuum forming and thermoforming?

Thermoforming is the broad category of plastic forming processes that use heat. Vacuum forming is a specific type of thermoforming that uses vacuum pressure to shape heated plastic sheets over a mold. Other thermoforming methods include pressure forming and twin-sheet forming.

What materials can be vacuum formed?

Common vacuum forming materials include ABS, PMMA (acrylic), Polycarbonate (PC), TPO, HDPE, Polystyrene (PS), PET, Polypropylene (PP), PVC, and PLA.

What is heavy gauge vs light gauge thermoforming?

Heavy gauge thermoforming processes cut sheets typically 2-12mm thick for structural parts. Light gauge thermoforming uses thin roll-fed film under 2mm for high-volume packaging. Machinecraft manufactures machines for both.

What industries use vacuum forming machines?

Vacuum forming machines are used across automotive, aerospace, medical, packaging, sanitary, agriculture, signage, and many more industries.

What sizes of vacuum forming machines does Machinecraft manufacture?

Machinecraft manufactures custom vacuum forming machines ranging from 1000x1200mm forming area up to 6000x2200mm (XL).

What is a closed chamber vacuum forming machine?

A closed chamber vacuum forming machine features an air-sealed forming chamber that enables pre-blow bubble formation and zero sag control. This European-concept design is standard on all Machinecraft PF1-X Series machines.

What are the AM-V and AM-P thin gauge roll-fed forming machines?

The Machinecraft AM-V (vacuum forming) and AM-P (pressure forming) are continuous roll-fed forming machines designed for thin gauge packaging, medical trays, and deep draw containers.

What is the GST rate on thermoforming machines in India?

Thermoforming machines (HSN 84774000) attract 18% GST (IGST on imports). When importing, the total effective duty is approximately 27.5%, comprising 7.5% Basic Customs Duty, 18% IGST on the assessed value plus BCD, and 10% Social Welfare Surcharge on BCD.

Is there any import duty on thermoforming machines in Japan?

No. Japan applies a zero (Free) duty rate on HS 8477.40 — vacuum moulding machines and other thermoforming machines. This applies under Japan's WTO commitments and the Information Technology Agreement (ITA-II).

What is the US import duty on thermoforming machines?

The base MFN duty rate for thermoforming machines (HTSUS 8477.40.01.00) in the United States is 3.1% ad valorem. Additional tariffs under Section 301 (Chapter 99) apply to China-origin goods, bringing the total to 38.1%. India-origin machines are subject only to the base 3.1% rate — a significant cost advantage.

What is the difference between HS code and HSN code?

The HS (Harmonized System) code is an international 6-digit classification maintained by the World Customs Organization (WCO), used by 200+ countries. The HSN (Harmonized System of Nomenclature) code is the Indian extension — it adds 2 more digits to the 6-digit HS code for a total of 8 digits. So HS 8477.40 (international) becomes HSN 84774000 (India-specific).

What is the difference between HS code and HTS code?

The HS (Harmonized System) code is the international 6-digit standard used by 200+ countries. The HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) is the US-specific extension — formally called HTSUS — which adds digits beyond the 6-digit HS level. The US uses 8 digits for tariff rates and 10 digits for statistical reporting. For thermoforming machines: HS 8477.40 (international) becomes HTSUS 8477.40.01.00 (US-specific). The first 6 digits are identical worldwide; the extra digits are country-specific.

Can I claim duty exemption when importing a thermoforming machine?

Duty exemptions or reductions may be available under bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). For example, India-Japan CEPA offers zero duty, India-Korea CEPA offers reduced rates, and AI-ECTA (India-Australia) may offer preferential rates. You need a Certificate of Origin from the exporting country to claim preferential tariff treatment.

What machines does Machinecraft manufacture under HSN 84774000?

Machinecraft Technologies manufactures a full range of thermoforming machines classified under HSN 84774000, including: PF1-X (heavy gauge vacuum forming), PF1-C (compact thermoforming), PF1-XL/XXL (extra-large forming), FCS (thin gauge roll-fed), AM-V/AM-P (automotive), TOM (3D film lamination), IMG (in-mould graining), and specialty machines for luggage, car mats, and wellness products.

What is the ITC-HS code for exporting thermoforming machines from India?

The ITC-HS code for exporting thermoforming machines from India is 84774000 — the same as the import HSN code. There is no export duty on thermoforming machines from India. Exporters may be eligible for benefits under RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) and duty drawback schemes.

Do Section 301 tariffs apply to India-origin thermoforming machines imported into the US?

No. Section 301 tariffs (the additional 25% under Chapter 99 heading 9903.88.01) apply specifically to goods that are the product of China. India-origin thermoforming machines imported under HTSUS 8477.40.01.00 are subject only to the base MFN rate of 3.1%. This makes India-manufactured machines significantly more cost-competitive than China-origin alternatives for US buyers.

Is there import duty on thermoforming machines in Canada?

No. Canada applies a zero (Free) MFN duty rate on thermoforming machines classified under tariff item 8477.40.00.00. This means thermoforming machines from any WTO member country, including India, enter Canada duty-free. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) administers classification through the CARM system.

International Trade & Customs

HSN Code 84774000
Thermoforming Machine Trade Classification

The definitive reference for customs classification of vacuum forming and thermoforming machines. Import duty rates for 16 countries, US HTSUS breakdown, India GST structure, HS code hierarchy, and trade agreement benefits — everything procurement teams and customs brokers need.

HSN: 84774000 HS: 8477.40 HTSUS: 8477.40.01.00 India GST: 18%

Download Duty Rates PDF(4 pages)

Share with your procurement team and customs broker

What is HSN Code 84774000?

HSN 84774000 is the Indian customs tariff code for vacuum moulding machines and other thermoforming machines used for working rubber or plastics. Internationally, this falls under HS 8477.40 in the World Customs Organization's Harmonized System, used by over 200 countries for trade classification.

This classification covers all types of thermoforming equipment — from compact single-station vacuum formers to large-format automatic pressure forming lines, twin-sheet thermoformers, in-line thermoforming-and-trimming systems, and plug-assist vacuum moulding machines. It applies regardless of the machine's size, automation level, or whether it processes heavy gauge sheets or thin gauge roll-fed film.

Official WCO description: "Vacuum-moulding machines and other thermoforming machines for working rubber or plastics or for the manufacture of products from these materials, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter."

HS Code Hierarchy Breakdown

The Harmonized System uses a tree structure. Each level adds specificity — from the broad Section XVI (all machinery) down to the 8-digit HSN code that identifies exactly "thermoforming machines."

Section XVI — Section XVI

Machinery and mechanical appliances; electrical equipment; parts thereof

Chapter 84 — 84

Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances; parts thereof

Heading 8477 — 8477

Machinery for working rubber or plastics or for the manufacture of products from these materials, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter

Subheading 8477.40 — 8477.40

Vacuum-moulding machines and other thermoforming machines

HSN (India) — 84774000

Vacuum moulding machines and other thermoforming machines — full 8-digit Indian tariff code

For US & North American Importers

Understanding the HTSUS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States)

The HTS — formally the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) — is the official product classification system that US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) uses to determine duty rates, quotas, trade program eligibility, and statistical reporting for every import entering the country.

Internationally, most countries use the same 6-digit HS headings maintained by the World Customs Organization. The US extends these with additional digits: an 8-digit tariff rate line that sets the actual duty percentage, and a 10-digit statistical suffix used by the Census Bureau for trade data. Your customs broker or licensed filer selects the HTSUS code that best matches the machine's function, design, and principal use — that code (not the generic "8477" family alone) drives the actual duty and any Chapter 99 additions or exclusions.

Anatomy of HTSUS 8477.40.01.00

Here's how the 10-digit HTSUS code for thermoforming machines breaks down — each segment adds US-specific precision to the international HS standard:

84

Chapter

Nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances

77

Heading

Machinery for working rubber or plastics

.40

HS Subheading

Vacuum-moulding & thermoforming machines (international 6-digit level)

.01

US Tariff Rate Line

US-specific subdivision — determines the duty rate (3.1%)

.00

Statistical Suffix

Census Bureau reporting — no duty impact, but required on entry forms

Full code: 8477.40.01.00— Vacuum-molding machines and other thermoforming machines

India-Origin Advantage: 3.1% vs 38.1%

Machinecraft machines are manufactured in India. When importing into the United States under HTSUS 8477.40.01.00, India-origin goods are subject only to the base MFN rate of 3.1%. The additional Section 301 tariffs that apply to China-origin goods do not apply to India.

Component	India Origin	China Origin
MFN Base Rate	3.1%	3.1%
IEEPA / Reciprocal Tariff(Chapter 99 — 9903.03.01)	—	+10%
Section 301 (China-specific)(Chapter 99 — 9903.88.01)	—	+25%
Total Effective Duty	3.1%	38.1%

On a $200,000 thermoforming machine, the duty difference is $6,200 (India) vs $76,200 (China) — a saving of $70,000.

What is Section 301 / Chapter 99?

Chapter 99 of the HTSUS contains temporary modifications to duty rates enacted by presidential proclamation or trade legislation. For thermoforming machines, two Chapter 99 headings are relevant:

9903.03.01

IEEPA Reciprocal Tariff (+10%) — applies to products of any country as provided in U.S. note 2, except those specifically exempted in headings 9903.03.02–9903.03.11. India-origin goods may be subject to this depending on current executive orders.

9903.88.01

Section 301 China Tariff (+25%) — applies specifically to articles that are the product of China. Does not apply to India-origin goods.

Important: Chapter 99 rates change frequently via executive orders and proclamations. The rates above reflect the tariff schedule as of early 2026. Always verify current rates with your customs broker or on the USITC HTS website before shipment.

Canada & Mexico

🇨🇦

Canada

Tariff item: 8477.40.00.00

MFN Rate: Free (0%)

Thermoforming machines enter Canada duty-free from any WTO member country. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) administers classification through the CARM (Assessment and Revenue Management) system. No preferential trade agreement is needed — the MFN rate itself is zero.

🇲🇽

Mexico

Tariff item: 8477.40.01 (TIGIE)

MFN Rate: Free (0%)

Mexico's General Import Tax (Tarifa de la Ley de los Impuestos Generales de Importación y Exportación — TIGIE) classifies thermoforming machines under 8477.40.01 with a zero MFN rate. Mexico's 16% IVA (VAT) applies separately on the CIF value.

Classification Caveat

The exact 10-digit HTSUS classification depends on how the machine is built and what it principally does. While thermoforming and vacuum forming machines typically fall under 8477.40.01.00, your licensed customs broker should confirm the classification based on the specific unit being imported — machine function, design, and principal use all factor into the determination.

For binding certainty, importers can request a CBP Binding Ruling from US Customs and Border Protection. Machinecraft provides full technical documentation, machine specifications, and process descriptions to support your broker's classification analysis.

Import Duty Rates by Country

The table below shows MFN (Most Favoured Nation) duty rates for thermoforming machines (HS 8477.40) across Machinecraft's key export markets. Effective rates may differ based on bilateral trade agreements and country of origin.

Country / Region	HS / HSN Code	MFN Rate	Effective Rate	Notes
India (import)	84774000	7.5%	~27.5%	BCD 7.5% + IGST 18% + SWS 0.75%
United States	8477.40.01.00	3.1%	3.1%	MFN base rate; India-origin not subject to Section 301
European Union	8477 40 00	2.7%	2.7%	ERGA OMNES third-country duty
Japan	8477.40-000	Free	0%	Zero duty under WTO ITA-II
Canada	8477.40.00.00	Free	0%	Zero MFN duty; CBSA classification
Australia	8477.40.00	5%	0–5%	General 5%; may be 0% under AI-ECTA (India FTA)
United Kingdom	8477 40 00	2.7%	2.7%	Aligned with EU post-Brexit
South Korea	8477.40-0000	8%	0–8%	May be 0% under India-Korea CEPA
GCC (UAE, Saudi, etc.)	84774000	5%	5%	GCC Common External Tariff
Turkey	8477.40.00	2.7%	2.7%	EU Customs Union alignment
Mexico	8477.40.01	Free	0%	Zero duty under WTO commitments
Brazil	8477.40.00	14%	14%	Mercosur Common External Tariff
South Africa	8477.40	Free	0%	Zero duty on industrial machinery
Nigeria	847740	5%	5%	ECOWAS CET Band 2
Indonesia	8477.40.00	5%	0–5%	May be 0% under AIFTA
Thailand	8477.40.00	5%	0–5%	May be 0% under ASEAN-India FTA

Rates shown are MFN (Most Favoured Nation) rates as of 2026. Preferential rates under FTAs may be lower. Always verify with your customs broker before shipment. Sources: USITC, EU TARIC, Japan Customs, CBIC India, CBSA Canada, WTO.

India GST & Customs Duty Structure

When importing a thermoforming machine into India under HSN 84774000, the total landed cost includes multiple duty components calculated on the CIF (Cost, Insurance, Freight) value.

Duty Calculation Breakdown

Assessable Value (CIF + 1% landing charges)= A

Basic Customs Duty (BCD)7.5% of A

Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS)10% of BCD = 0.75% of A

IGST (on A + BCD + SWS)18%

Total Effective Duty~27.5% of CIF

Note: IGST paid on imports can be claimed as Input Tax Credit (ITC) by registered businesses, effectively reducing the net duty to ~8.25% (BCD + SWS only). CVD and additional cess are currently NIL for this HSN code.

Exporting Thermoforming Machines from India

Machinecraft Technologies exports thermoforming machines from India to 35+ countries. The ITC-HS code for export is the same: 84774000. Key export benefits include:

Zero Export Duty

No customs duty on export of thermoforming machines from India

RoDTEP Benefits

Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products — refund of embedded duties

Duty Drawback

Refund of customs duty paid on imported raw materials used in manufacturing

GST Refund

Export is zero-rated under GST; accumulated ITC is fully refundable

Machines Classified Under HS 8477.40

All of the following machine types fall under HSN 84774000 / HS 8477.40 for customs purposes:

Vacuum forming machines

e.g. PF1-X, PF1-C, PF1-R

Pressure forming machines

e.g. PF1-X with pressure option

Twin-sheet thermoformers

e.g. DUO series

Roll-fed thermoformers

e.g. FCS, AM-V, AM-P

In-mould graining (IMG) machines

e.g. IMG series

3D film lamination (TOM) machines

e.g. TOM series

Plug-assist vacuum moulding machines

e.g. PF1-X with plug assist

In-line thermoforming & trimming systems

e.g. FCS with inline trim

Blister packaging machines

e.g. Thin gauge formers

Extra-large format thermoformers

e.g. PF1-XL, PF1-XXL

Note: Parts and accessories for thermoforming machines are classified separately under HS 8477.90 (HSN 84779000). Moulds and tooling may fall under HS 8480 depending on the material and type.

Trade Agreements & Preferential Rates

India has bilateral and multilateral trade agreements that may reduce or eliminate import duties on thermoforming machines. A Certificate of Origin from the exporting country is required to claim preferential rates.

Agreement	Partners	Preferential Rate	Status
India-Japan CEPA	Japan ↔ India	0%	In force
India-Korea CEPA	South Korea ↔ India	Reduced	In force
AI-ECTA	Australia ↔ India	0–5%	In force (2023)
AIFTA	ASEAN ↔ India	Reduced	In force
India-UAE CEPA	UAE ↔ India	0%	In force (2022)
SAFTA	South Asia	Reduced	In force
India-EU FTA	EU ↔ India	TBD	Under negotiation
India-UK FTA	UK ↔ India	TBD	Under negotiation

Frequently Asked Questions

Need a Thermoforming Machine Quote?

Machinecraft Technologies manufactures all machine types under HSN 84774000 — from compact PF1-C to extra-large PF1-XXL. Get a custom quote with CIF pricing for your country.

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