Chapter 82 covers tools, implements, cutlery, spoons, forks and parts thereof, of base metal. The main characteristics of goods in this chapter are that they are made of base metal (such as iron and steel, copper, aluminum, etc.) and have a tool or cutlery function. It includes hand tools, power-operated tools, knives, razors, scissors, nail clippers, letter openers, spoons, forks, etc. However, knives for machines or parts of mechanical appliances are classified according to the machine, and this chapter is limited to independent tools or hand implements. Heading 8214 covers other articles of cutlery (for example, hair clippers, butchers' cleavers, paper knives, letter openers, pencil sharpeners, paper cutters) and manicure or pedicure sets and instruments (including nail files). This heading includes non-mechanical cutlery, usually made of base metal, used for cutting, trimming, or opening letters, etc. Letter openers, as a typical commodity, are classified under this heading. The first 2 digits 82: indicates Chapter 82, tools, implements, cutlery, spoons, forks and parts thereof, of base metal. The 3rd-4th digits 14: indicates heading 8214, other articles of cutlery (including nail clippers, manicure or pedicure sets, letter openers, etc.). The 5th-6th digits 10: indicates subheading 821410, specifically letter openers, letter knives, paper knives and similar articles. Note: Subheading 821410 only includes letter openers, letter knives, paper knives and similar articles, and does not include nail clippers (subheading 821420) or razors (subheading 821210). Letter openers are hand-operated cutlery of base metal, used for opening envelopes or cutting paper, and conform to the description of heading 8214 'other articles of cutlery'. They are not classified under 8211 (knives with cutting blades) because letter openers usually do not have a sharp cutting edge, nor under 8205 (hand tools) because they are not used as tools, and certainly not under 8213 (scissors) because they do not have a scissors structure. Therefore, they are classified under 821410.
Chapter
Chapter 82 covers tools, implements, cutlery, spoons, forks and parts thereof, of base metal. The main characteristics of goods in this chapter are that they are made of base metal (such as iron and steel, copper, aluminum, etc.) and have a tool or cutlery function. It includes hand tools, power-operated tools, knives, razors, scissors, nail clippers, letter openers, spoons, forks, etc. However, knives for machines or parts of mechanical appliances are classified according to the machine, and this chapter is limited to independent tools or hand implements.
Heading
Heading 8214 covers other articles of cutlery (for example, hair clippers, butchers' cleavers, paper knives, letter openers, pencil sharpeners, paper cutters) and manicure or pedicure sets and instruments (including nail files). This heading includes non-mechanical cutlery, usually made of base metal, used for cutting, trimming, or opening letters, etc. Letter openers, as a typical commodity, are classified under this heading.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 82: indicates Chapter 82, tools, implements, cutlery, spoons, forks and parts thereof, of base metal. The 3rd-4th digits 14: indicates heading 8214, other articles of cutlery (including nail clippers, manicure or pedicure sets, letter openers, etc.). The 5th-6th digits 10: indicates subheading 821410, specifically letter openers, letter knives, paper knives and similar articles. Note: Subheading 821410 only includes letter openers, letter knives, paper knives and similar articles, and does not include nail clippers (subheading 821420) or razors (subheading 821210).
Classification Basis
Letter openers are hand-operated cutlery of base metal, used for opening envelopes or cutting paper, and conform to the description of heading 8214 'other articles of cutlery'. They are not classified under 8211 (knives with cutting blades) because letter openers usually do not have a sharp cutting edge, nor under 8205 (hand tools) because they are not used as tools, and certainly not under 8213 (scissors) because they do not have a scissors structure. Therefore, they are classified under 821410.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The standard name of the declared commodity should be accurately described as 'letter opener' or 'letter knife', avoiding confusing names such as 'paper knife'. Material: Declare the main material of the letter opener, such as stainless steel, iron, copper, aluminum and other base metals. If it has a plastic handle, it should be noted. Use: Explain the specific use, such as for opening envelopes, cutting paper, etc., emphasizing non-industrial use. Brand: Declare the brand name (if no brand, report 'no brand'), used for customs intellectual property protection. Model: Declare the product model or item number for easy identification by customs. Processing method: Indicate whether it is forged, stamped, cast, or machined, etc. Whether it has a blade: Clearly state whether it has a sharp cutting edge. Letter openers usually do not have a sharp cutting edge. Product name: letter opener; Material: stainless steel with plastic handle; Use: for opening envelopes; Brand: XYZ; Model: ABC-123; Processing method: stamping; Whether it has a blade: no sharp cutting edge; Packaging: paper box. Mistakenly reporting a letter opener as a 'paper knife', but a paper knife with a sharp cutting edge may be classified under 8211. Incorrect declaration of material, such as actually plastic but reported as metal, leading to incorrect classification. Ignoring brand declaration, causing obstruction during customs intellectual property inspection.
Product name
The standard name of the declared commodity should be accurately described as 'letter opener' or 'letter knife', avoiding confusing names such as 'paper knife'.
⚠️ Misreporting as 'paper knife' or 'utility knife', leading to classification disputes.
Material
Declare the main material of the letter opener, such as stainless steel, iron, copper, aluminum and other base metals. If it has a plastic handle, it should be noted.
⚠️ Reporting only 'metal' without specifying, or misreporting as 'plastic' leading to incorrect classification.
Use
Explain the specific use, such as for opening envelopes, cutting paper, etc., emphasizing non-industrial use.
⚠️ Generally reporting 'office use' without distinguishing the specific function.
Brand
Declare the brand name (if no brand, report 'no brand'), used for customs intellectual property protection.
⚠️ Omitting the brand or misreporting the brand, leading to infringement risks.
Model
Declare the product model or item number for easy identification by customs.
⚠️ Incomplete model filling or inconsistency with the actual product.
Processing method
Indicate whether it is forged, stamped, cast, or machined, etc.
⚠️ Failure to declare the processing method, affecting classification.
Whether it has a blade
Clearly state whether it has a sharp cutting edge. Letter openers usually do not have a sharp cutting edge.
⚠️ Misreporting as 'with blade', which may lead to classification under 8211.
Example： Product name: letter opener; Material: stainless steel with plastic handle; Use: for opening envelopes; Brand: XYZ; Model: ABC-123; Processing method: stamping; Whether it has a blade: no sharp cutting edge; Packaging: paper box.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly reporting a letter opener as a 'paper knife', but a paper knife with a sharp cutting edge may be classified under 8211.
Incorrect declaration of material, such as actually plastic but reported as metal, leading to incorrect classification.
Ignoring brand declaration, causing obstruction during customs intellectual property inspection.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1. The commodity material is base metal; 2. The function is to open envelopes or cut paper, not other uses; 3. Non-mechanical, hand-operated; 4. No sharp cutting edge (if it has a blade, it may be classified under 8211). According to the Import and Export Tariff and its notes, letter openers fall under heading 8214 'other articles of cutlery'. 821110 Sets of knives: 821110 is a set of cutlery containing multiple knives, while 821410 is only a single commodity, a letter opener. 821191 Table knives with cutting blades: 821191 is a table knife with a cutting edge, used for dining; a letter opener has no cutting edge and is used for opening letters. 821210 Razors: 821210 is a razor, used for shaving; a letter opener is used for opening letters, with a different function. 821300 Scissors: 821300 is scissors, with double blades; a letter opener is single-edged or edgeless, with a different structure. 820559 Other hand tools: 820559 is a hand tool, used for operation; a letter opener is cutlery, not a tool. Is the material base metal? Is it used for opening envelopes or cutting paper? Does it have no sharp cutting edge? Is it non-mechanical? Is it not a set of knives?
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1. The commodity material is base metal; 2. The function is to open envelopes or cut paper, not other uses; 3. Non-mechanical, hand-operated; 4. No sharp cutting edge (if it has a blade, it may be classified under 8211). According to the Import and Export Tariff and its notes, letter openers fall under heading 8214 'other articles of cutlery'.
Confused Codes：
821110 - Sets of knives
821110 is a set of cutlery containing multiple knives, while 821410 is only a single commodity, a letter opener.
821191 - Table knives with cutting blades
821191 is a table knife with a cutting edge, used for dining; a letter opener has no cutting edge and is used for opening letters.
821210 - Razors
821210 is a razor, used for shaving; a letter opener is used for opening letters, with a different function.
821300 - Scissors
821300 is scissors, with double blades; a letter opener is single-edged or edgeless, with a different structure.
820559 - Other hand tools
820559 is a hand tool, used for operation; a letter opener is cutlery, not a tool.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the material base metal?
✓ Is it used for opening envelopes or cutting paper?
✓ Does it have no sharp cutting edge?
✓ Is it non-mechanical?
✓ Is it not a set of knives?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference in HS code between a letter opener and a paper knife? A letter opener usually has no sharp cutting edge and is classified under 821410; a paper knife with a sharp cutting edge may be classified under 8211 (knives with cutting blades). The specific classification depends on the condition of the edge. Which code should a plastic letter opener be classified under? A plastic letter opener does not belong to Chapter 82 (base metal), and should be classified according to the material under Chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The specific subheading depends on the type of plastic. If a letter opener has a small blade, is it still classified under 821410? If it has a retractable or fixed small blade with a sharp cutting edge, it may be regarded as a knife with a cutting blade and classified under 8211; if it only has a letter-opening function and no sharp cutting edge, it is still classified under 821410. How can I check the import tariff rate for letter openers? Tariff rates may change. It is recommended to check the latest tariff rate by entering HS code 821410 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs or through professional query tools. At the same time, pay attention to preferential policies such as free trade agreements. Is a brand authorization letter required when declaring a letter opener? If the letter opener has a brand and the brand is recorded with customs for intellectual property, an authorization letter is required; if there is no brand or it is not recorded, it is not required. Are letter openers and letter knives the same code? Yes, letter knives and letter openers have the same function and are both classified under 821410. If a letter opener is packaged as a set containing multiple pieces, how should it be classified? If it is packaged as a set and each piece is a letter opener, it is still classified under 821410; if it contains other knives, it may be classified under 821110 (sets of knives). What certifications are required for exporting letter openers to the EU? The EU has no special certification requirements for letter openers, but they must comply with general product safety directives. If they have a cutting edge, they may be regulated. It is recommended to consult a professional agency.
Q: What is the difference in HS code between a letter opener and a paper knife?
A: A letter opener usually has no sharp cutting edge and is classified under 821410; a paper knife with a sharp cutting edge may be classified under 8211 (knives with cutting blades). The specific classification depends on the condition of the edge.
Q: Which code should a plastic letter opener be classified under?
A: A plastic letter opener does not belong to Chapter 82 (base metal), and should be classified according to the material under Chapter 39 (plastics and articles thereof). The specific subheading depends on the type of plastic.
Q: If a letter opener has a small blade, is it still classified under 821410?
A: If it has a retractable or fixed small blade with a sharp cutting edge, it may be regarded as a knife with a cutting blade and classified under 8211; if it only has a letter-opening function and no sharp cutting edge, it is still classified under 821410.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for letter openers?
A: Tariff rates may change. It is recommended to check the latest tariff rate by entering HS code 821410 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs or through professional query tools. At the same time, pay attention to preferential policies such as free trade agreements.
Q: Is a brand authorization letter required when declaring a letter opener?
A: If the letter opener has a brand and the brand is recorded with customs for intellectual property, an authorization letter is required; if there is no brand or it is not recorded, it is not required.
Q: Are letter openers and letter knives the same code?
A: Yes, letter knives and letter openers have the same function and are both classified under 821410.
Q: If a letter opener is packaged as a set containing multiple pieces, how should it be classified?
A: If it is packaged as a set and each piece is a letter opener, it is still classified under 821410; if it contains other knives, it may be classified under 821110 (sets of knives).
Q: What certifications are required for exporting letter openers to the EU?
A: The EU has no special certification requirements for letter openers, but they must comply with general product safety directives. If they have a cutting edge, they may be regulated. It is recommended to consult a professional agency.
⚠️ Disclaimer: HS code classification, declaration elements, tariff rates and regulatory conditions on this page are for reference only and do not constitute legal advice on customs classification. Tariff rates and regulations are subject to change; the latest announcements from the General Administration of Customs and on-site determinations shall prevail. Please consult professional customs brokers or customs authorities before import/export.