Chapter 82 covers tools, implements, cutlery, spoons, forks and parts thereof, of base metal, including hand tools, power tools, knives, razors, scissors, nail clippers, kitchen and table utensils, etc. Goods in this chapter are mainly made of base metal and are characterized by their function as tools or cutlery, and are a common category of basic metal products in international trade. Heading 8214 includes other cutting tools not elsewhere specified or included, such as paper knives, letter openers, pencil sharpeners, vegetable choppers, meat choppers, mincing knives, etc., as well as hair clippers, nail clippers, etc. However, it excludes tools specifically named in headings 82.01 to 82.13, such as scissors, knives, razors, etc. The first 2 digits 82 indicate Chapter 82, covering base metal tools, cutlery, etc.; digits 3-4, 14, indicate heading 8214, i.e., other cutting tools; digits 5-6, 90, are the subheading, meaning other. Therefore, 821490 refers to other cutting tools under Chapter 82, heading 8214, not further specified or included. The goods are cutting tools of base metal, not specifically named in 82.01 to 82.13, and not spoons, forks, etc. of 82.15, so they are classified under 8214. If they were scissors, knives, or other specifically named tools, they would be classified under the corresponding heading.
Chapter
Chapter 82 covers tools, implements, cutlery, spoons, forks and parts thereof, of base metal, including hand tools, power tools, knives, razors, scissors, nail clippers, kitchen and table utensils, etc. Goods in this chapter are mainly made of base metal and are characterized by their function as tools or cutlery, and are a common category of basic metal products in international trade.
Heading
Heading 8214 includes other cutting tools not elsewhere specified or included, such as paper knives, letter openers, pencil sharpeners, vegetable choppers, meat choppers, mincing knives, etc., as well as hair clippers, nail clippers, etc. However, it excludes tools specifically named in headings 82.01 to 82.13, such as scissors, knives, razors, etc.
Digit Breakdown
The first 2 digits 82 indicate Chapter 82, covering base metal tools, cutlery, etc.; digits 3-4, 14, indicate heading 8214, i.e., other cutting tools; digits 5-6, 90, are the subheading, meaning other. Therefore, 821490 refers to other cutting tools under Chapter 82, heading 8214, not further specified or included.
Classification Basis
The goods are cutting tools of base metal, not specifically named in 82.01 to 82.13, and not spoons, forks, etc. of 82.15, so they are classified under 8214. If they were scissors, knives, or other specifically named tools, they would be classified under the corresponding heading.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared goods, such as paper knife, letter opener, etc., which must be consistent with the actual goods. Material: Declare the type of base metal, such as stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, etc., as well as the blade material. Use: Explain the cutting object and usage scenario, such as cutting paper, opening letters, chopping vegetables, etc. Brand: Declare the brand name; if there is no brand, fill in "no brand". Model: Declare the product model or item number; if there is no model, fill in "no model". Processing method: Explain whether the blade has undergone heat treatment, coating, etc. Foldable or not: For folding cutting tools, it is necessary to declare whether they are foldable. Packaging specifications: Declare single-piece packaging or set packaging, such as each piece individually packaged. Product name: stainless steel paper knife; Material: stainless steel blade, plastic handle; Use: office paper cutting; Brand: XX; Model: A123; Processing method: blade heat treatment; Foldable or not: no; Packaging specifications: each piece in blister packaging. Mistakenly classifying scissors under 8214, when they should actually be classified under 8213. Mistakenly classifying table knives under 8214, when they should actually be classified under 8211 or 8215. Ignoring material declaration, leading to classification errors.
Product name
The specific name of the declared goods, such as paper knife, letter opener, etc., which must be consistent with the actual goods.
⚠️ Declaring generally as "cutting tool" without being specific.
Material
Declare the type of base metal, such as stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, etc., as well as the blade material.
⚠️ Writing only "metal" without distinguishing the specific material.
Use
Explain the cutting object and usage scenario, such as cutting paper, opening letters, chopping vegetables, etc.
⚠️ The use description is too broad, such as "for cutting".
Brand
Declare the brand name; if there is no brand, fill in "no brand".
⚠️ Omitting the brand or incorrectly declaring it as "no brand".
Model
Declare the product model or item number; if there is no model, fill in "no model".
⚠️ The model does not match the actual goods or is omitted.
Processing method
Explain whether the blade has undergone heat treatment, coating, etc.
⚠️ Failure to explain key processing techniques.
Foldable or not
For folding cutting tools, it is necessary to declare whether they are foldable.
⚠️ Ignoring the folding feature, which affects classification.
Packaging specifications
Declare single-piece packaging or set packaging, such as each piece individually packaged.
⚠️ Unclear description of packaging specifications.
Example： Product name: stainless steel paper knife; Material: stainless steel blade, plastic handle; Use: office paper cutting; Brand: XX; Model: A123; Processing method: blade heat treatment; Foldable or not: no; Packaging specifications: each piece in blister packaging.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying scissors under 8214, when they should actually be classified under 8213.
Mistakenly classifying table knives under 8214, when they should actually be classified under 8211 or 8215.
Ignoring material declaration, leading to classification errors.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: whether the goods are cutting tools of base metal; whether they are specifically named in 82.01 to 82.13; whether they are spoons, forks, etc. of 82.15. If not named and are cutting tools, they are classified under 8214. 8213 Scissors: Scissors have a dedicated heading 8213, while 8214 is for other cutting tools, such as paper knives and letter openers. 8211 Knives: 8211 includes knives with cutting edges, such as hunting knives and chef's knives, while 8214 is for other cutting tools not elsewhere specified or included. 8215 Spoons, forks: 8215 is for spoons, forks, and other kitchen and table utensils, while 8214 is for cutting tools, with different functions. 8208 Knives and cutting blades for machines: 8208 is for knives and cutting blades for machines or mechanical appliances, while 8214 is for hand tools. Is it made of base metal? Is it named in 82.01-82.13? Is it a spoon or fork? Is it used for cutting? Is it a hand tool?
Basis
Core basis for classification: whether the goods are cutting tools of base metal; whether they are specifically named in 82.01 to 82.13; whether they are spoons, forks, etc. of 82.15. If not named and are cutting tools, they are classified under 8214.
Confused Codes：
8213 - Scissors
Scissors have a dedicated heading 8213, while 8214 is for other cutting tools, such as paper knives and letter openers.
8211 - Knives
8211 includes knives with cutting edges, such as hunting knives and chef's knives, while 8214 is for other cutting tools not elsewhere specified or included.
8215 - Spoons, forks
8215 is for spoons, forks, and other kitchen and table utensils, while 8214 is for cutting tools, with different functions.
8208 - Knives and cutting blades for machines
8208 is for knives and cutting blades for machines or mechanical appliances, while 8214 is for hand tools.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it made of base metal?
✓ Is it named in 82.01-82.13?
✓ Is it a spoon or fork?
✓ Is it used for cutting?
✓ Is it a hand tool?
❓ FAQ
What goods are covered by HS code 821490? It applies to other cutting tools of base metal, such as paper knives, letter openers, pencil sharpeners, vegetable choppers, etc., excluding specifically named goods such as scissors and knives. How do you distinguish 821490 from 8213? 8213 specifically refers to scissors and similar scissors, while 821490 is for other cutting tools, such as paper knives and letter openers, which do not have the typical double-blade structure of scissors. How should the material be filled in during declaration? The specific type of base metal must be declared, such as stainless steel or carbon steel, and the materials of the blade and handle should be indicated, avoiding simply writing "metal". What is the export tax rebate rate for 821490? The rebate rate may be adjusted with policy changes. It is recommended to check the latest export tax rebate rate database or consult customs. Does this code include electric cutting tools? 8214 mainly covers hand tools; electric cutting tools are usually classified under Chapter 84 or 85. If a cutting tool has a plastic handle, does it affect classification? No, as long as the blade is of base metal, it is still classified under 8214, but the material must be declared. What is the difference between 821490 and 8208? 8208 is for knives and cutting blades for machines, while 8214 is for hand tools; determine based on whether it is used for a machine. Must the brand and model be provided during declaration? Yes, brand and model are declaration elements. If there is no brand or model, fill in "no brand" or "no model".
Q: What goods are covered by HS code 821490?
A: It applies to other cutting tools of base metal, such as paper knives, letter openers, pencil sharpeners, vegetable choppers, etc., excluding specifically named goods such as scissors and knives.
Q: How do you distinguish 821490 from 8213?
A: 8213 specifically refers to scissors and similar scissors, while 821490 is for other cutting tools, such as paper knives and letter openers, which do not have the typical double-blade structure of scissors.
Q: How should the material be filled in during declaration?
A: The specific type of base metal must be declared, such as stainless steel or carbon steel, and the materials of the blade and handle should be indicated, avoiding simply writing "metal".
Q: What is the export tax rebate rate for 821490?
A: The rebate rate may be adjusted with policy changes. It is recommended to check the latest export tax rebate rate database or consult customs.
Q: Does this code include electric cutting tools?
A: 8214 mainly covers hand tools; electric cutting tools are usually classified under Chapter 84 or 85.
Q: If a cutting tool has a plastic handle, does it affect classification?
A: No, as long as the blade is of base metal, it is still classified under 8214, but the material must be declared.
Q: What is the difference between 821490 and 8208?
A: 8208 is for knives and cutting blades for machines, while 8214 is for hand tools; determine based on whether it is used for a machine.
Q: Must the brand and model be provided during declaration?
A: Yes, brand and model are declaration elements. If there is no brand or model, fill in "no brand" or "no model".
⚠️ 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.