8474.20.00 - Crushing or grinding machines

HTS code 8474.20.00 specifically covers machinery designed for the mechanical reduction of solid materials into smaller particles through processes like crushing and grinding. This category encompasses a wide array of equipment used in industries such as mining, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing, where the breakdown of raw materials is a crucial initial step. Examples include jaw crushers, cone crushers, hammer mills, ball mills, and roller mills, all of which achieve size reduction through impact, compression, or abrasion.

It is important to distinguish this category from its sibling, 8474.10.00, which pertains to machines used for sorting, screening, separating, or washing materials. While these functions may occur in conjunction with crushing or grinding, the primary purpose of machines classified under 8474.20.00 is solely the size reduction of solid substances. Similarly, it differs from mixing or kneading machines (also under 8474), which combine or homogenize materials rather than break them down.

The subcategories under 8474.20.00 further refine the classification based on the operational configuration of the crushing or grinding machinery. This includes a distinction between "Portable" units, designed for mobility and on-site operations, and "Stationary" units, which are fixed installations. This differentiation is significant for logistical and application-based classification purposes.