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. Kitchen scissors, as a type of cutlery, fall within the scope of this chapter. Note that this chapter does not include similar goods made of ceramics, glass, plastics, or other non-base metal materials, nor does it include motorized or electric tools (classified under Chapter 84 or 85). Heading 8214 covers other articles of cutlery (for example, hair clippers, butchers' or kitchen cleavers, choppers and mincing knives, paper knives, letter openers, pencil sharpeners, and blades therefor) and manicure or pedicure sets and instruments (including nail files). However, this heading does not include scissors (heading 8213), knives (heading 8211), or spoons, forks, etc. (heading 8215). Kitchen scissors, as cutlery, if not falling under the scissors of 8213, are classified under 8214. Code 821499 is a 6-digit subheading. The first 2 digits, 82, indicate Chapter 82 (tools, implements, cutlery, spoons, forks and parts thereof, of base metal). Digits 3-4, 14, indicate heading 8214 (other articles of cutlery; manicure or pedicure sets and instruments). Digits 5-6, 99, indicate subheading 821499, i.e., the residual subheading for 'other.' Under heading 8214, there are usually subheadings divided by specific product types, such as 821410 (paper knives, letter openers, erasing knives, pencil sharpeners and blades therefor), 821420 (manicure or pedicure sets and instruments), and 821490 (other). 821499 may be a further subdivision under 821490 in certain countries or regions, but according to HS 2022, 8214 has only three subheadings: 821410, 821420, and 821490. Therefore, 821499 may be an extended code for certain countries. In China Customs' Tariff Schedule, under heading 8214, the subheadings are 82141000, 82142000, and 82149000, and there is no 821499. The 821499 provided by the user may be an erroneous code or a specific country code. Here it is explained logically: if 821499 exists, then 99 represents other cutlery not elsewhere specified or included. Kitchen scissors, if made of base metal and mainly used for cutting food or packaging in the kitchen, should be classified under Chapter 82. However, note that scissors are usually classified under heading 8213 (scissors, tailors' shears and similar shears). If kitchen scissors have special functions (such as cutting poultry, fish bones, etc.), they may be regarded as other articles of cutlery and classified under 8214. If electric, they are classified under 8509. Therefore, the premise for classifying this product under 8214 is that it is not a typical pair of scissors of 8213, but other cutlery.
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. Kitchen scissors, as a type of cutlery, fall within the scope of this chapter. Note that this chapter does not include similar goods made of ceramics, glass, plastics, or other non-base metal materials, nor does it include motorized or electric tools (classified under Chapter 84 or 85).
Heading
Heading 8214 covers other articles of cutlery (for example, hair clippers, butchers' or kitchen cleavers, choppers and mincing knives, paper knives, letter openers, pencil sharpeners, and blades therefor) and manicure or pedicure sets and instruments (including nail files). However, this heading does not include scissors (heading 8213), knives (heading 8211), or spoons, forks, etc. (heading 8215). Kitchen scissors, as cutlery, if not falling under the scissors of 8213, are classified under 8214.
Digit Breakdown
Code 821499 is a 6-digit subheading. The first 2 digits, 82, indicate Chapter 82 (tools, implements, cutlery, spoons, forks and parts thereof, of base metal). Digits 3-4, 14, indicate heading 8214 (other articles of cutlery; manicure or pedicure sets and instruments). Digits 5-6, 99, indicate subheading 821499, i.e., the residual subheading for 'other.' Under heading 8214, there are usually subheadings divided by specific product types, such as 821410 (paper knives, letter openers, erasing knives, pencil sharpeners and blades therefor), 821420 (manicure or pedicure sets and instruments), and 821490 (other). 821499 may be a further subdivision under 821490 in certain countries or regions, but according to HS 2022, 8214 has only three subheadings: 821410, 821420, and 821490. Therefore, 821499 may be an extended code for certain countries. In China Customs' Tariff Schedule, under heading 8214, the subheadings are 82141000, 82142000, and 82149000, and there is no 821499. The 821499 provided by the user may be an erroneous code or a specific country code. Here it is explained logically: if 821499 exists, then 99 represents other cutlery not elsewhere specified or included.
Classification Basis
Kitchen scissors, if made of base metal and mainly used for cutting food or packaging in the kitchen, should be classified under Chapter 82. However, note that scissors are usually classified under heading 8213 (scissors, tailors' shears and similar shears). If kitchen scissors have special functions (such as cutting poultry, fish bones, etc.), they may be regarded as other articles of cutlery and classified under 8214. If electric, they are classified under 8509. Therefore, the premise for classifying this product under 8214 is that it is not a typical pair of scissors of 8213, but other cutlery.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The Chinese and foreign-language name of the declared goods should accurately reflect the product's attributes, such as 'kitchen scissors' or 'Kitchen scissors.' Material: Declare the main material of the scissors, such as stainless steel, carbon steel, plastic handles, etc., and specify the type of base metal. Use: Explain the specific use, such as cutting food in the kitchen, opening packaging, etc., to distinguish it from other scissors. Brand: Declare the brand name (if any); if there is no brand, fill in 'none.' Model: Declare the product model; if there is no model, fill in 'none.' Processing method: Explain the manufacturing process of the scissors, such as forging, stamping, etc. Whether electric: Clearly state whether it is an electric tool; electric scissors should be classified under Chapter 85. Product name: kitchen scissors; Material: stainless steel blades, plastic handles; Use: cutting food and packaging in the kitchen; Brand: ABC; Model: KS-2020; Processing method: stamping; Whether electric: no. Mistakenly classifying kitchen scissors under 8213 (scissors); in fact, if they are special cutlery, they should be classified under 8214. Ignoring the material; if the blade is ceramic, it should not be classified under Chapter 82. Failure to distinguish between electric and non-electric; electric scissors should be classified under 8509 or 8467.
Product name
The Chinese and foreign-language name of the declared goods should accurately reflect the product's attributes, such as 'kitchen scissors' or 'Kitchen scissors.'
⚠️ Writing only 'scissors' without indicating the use, leading to classification disputes.
Material
Declare the main material of the scissors, such as stainless steel, carbon steel, plastic handles, etc., and specify the type of base metal.
⚠️ Writing 'metal' is too general and does not distinguish the specific material.
Use
Explain the specific use, such as cutting food in the kitchen, opening packaging, etc., to distinguish it from other scissors.
⚠️ Writing 'household' is not specific enough and does not highlight the kitchen use.
Brand
Declare the brand name (if any); if there is no brand, fill in 'none.'
⚠️ Omitting the brand or filling it in incompletely.
Model
Declare the product model; if there is no model, fill in 'none.'
⚠️ The model does not match the actual product or is not declared.
Processing method
Explain the manufacturing process of the scissors, such as forging, stamping, etc.
⚠️ Failure to declare the processing method, affecting classification.
Whether electric
Clearly state whether it is an electric tool; electric scissors should be classified under Chapter 85.
⚠️ Mistakenly classifying electric scissors under Chapter 82.
Example： Product name: kitchen scissors; Material: stainless steel blades, plastic handles; Use: cutting food and packaging in the kitchen; Brand: ABC; Model: KS-2020; Processing method: stamping; Whether electric: no.
Common Mistakes：
Mistakenly classifying kitchen scissors under 8213 (scissors); in fact, if they are special cutlery, they should be classified under 8214.
Ignoring the material; if the blade is ceramic, it should not be classified under Chapter 82.
Failure to distinguish between electric and non-electric; electric scissors should be classified under 8509 or 8467.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core basis for classification is the Import and Export Tariff Schedule and the HS Explanatory Notes. Kitchen scissors, if made of base metal and having a cutlery function, are usually classified under 8214. However, note that 8213 includes scissors, tailors' shears and similar shears, while 8214 includes other articles of cutlery. The key difference lies in the design and use of the scissors: if they are typical scissors with two crossed blades, they should be classified under 8213; if they are other types of cutlery (such as special kitchen bone shears or multi-purpose scissors), they may be classified under 8214. In addition, if electric, they are classified under 8509. 8213 Scissors, tailors' shears and similar shears: 8213 specifically refers to scissors, including kitchen scissors, but if the scissors have other cutlery characteristics (such as bone cutting or fish cutting), they may be classified under 8214. 8211 Knives: 8211 includes knives with cutting blades, such as kitchen knives, butcher's knives, etc., but does not include scissors. 8215 Spoons, forks, ladles, etc.: 8215 covers tableware, which is different from cutlery. 8509 Domestic electric appliances: Electric kitchen scissors are classified under 8509; non-electric ones are classified under Chapter 82. 8205 Hand tools: 8205 includes hand tools such as hammers and screwdrivers, but scissors are not classified here. Is it made of base metal? Is it manual rather than electric? Does it belong to the scissors category? Does it have a special kitchen function? Is it distinguished from 8213, 8211, etc.?
Basis
The core basis for classification is the Import and Export Tariff Schedule and the HS Explanatory Notes. Kitchen scissors, if made of base metal and having a cutlery function, are usually classified under 8214. However, note that 8213 includes scissors, tailors' shears and similar shears, while 8214 includes other articles of cutlery. The key difference lies in the design and use of the scissors: if they are typical scissors with two crossed blades, they should be classified under 8213; if they are other types of cutlery (such as special kitchen bone shears or multi-purpose scissors), they may be classified under 8214. In addition, if electric, they are classified under 8509.
Confused Codes：
8213 - Scissors, tailors' shears and similar shears
8213 specifically refers to scissors, including kitchen scissors, but if the scissors have other cutlery characteristics (such as bone cutting or fish cutting), they may be classified under 8214.
8211 - Knives
8211 includes knives with cutting blades, such as kitchen knives, butcher's knives, etc., but does not include scissors.
8215 - Spoons, forks, ladles, etc.
8215 covers tableware, which is different from cutlery.
8509 - Domestic electric appliances
Electric kitchen scissors are classified under 8509; non-electric ones are classified under Chapter 82.
8205 - Hand tools
8205 includes hand tools such as hammers and screwdrivers, but scissors are not classified here.
Self-Check：
✓ Is it made of base metal?
✓ Is it manual rather than electric?
✓ Does it belong to the scissors category?
✓ Does it have a special kitchen function?
✓ Is it distinguished from 8213, 8211, etc.?
❓ FAQ
Should kitchen scissors be classified under 8213 or 8214? Generally, ordinary kitchen scissors are classified under 8213, but if the scissors have special cutlery functions (such as specifically cutting bones or fish), they may be classified under 8214. It is recommended to judge based on the HS Explanatory Notes and the actual design. How can I check the tax rate for 821499? Tax rates change. You can check the latest tax rate through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the Import and Export Tariff Schedule. Enter code 821499 to view the MFN rate, general rate, etc. Which code are electric kitchen scissors classified under? Electric kitchen scissors should be classified under 8509 (domestic electric appliances), not Chapter 82. Where are kitchen scissors with ceramic blades classified? Ceramic blades are not base metal, so they cannot be classified under Chapter 82. They may be classified under 6911 or 6912 (ceramic products). How should kitchen scissors be described when declaring? The product name, material, use, brand, model, processing method, whether electric, etc. should be declared in detail to ensure accurate classification. What is the difference between 821499 and 821490? 821490 is the 'other' subheading in the HS code. 821499 may be an extended code for certain countries. In China's tariff schedule, 82149000 is usually used. Does the classification of kitchen scissors require consideration of blade length? Blade length is not the main basis for classification, but if the scissors are unusually sized, it may affect classification. The main basis is use and design. If the kitchen scissors are multi-functional, how should they be classified? If the main function of multi-functional kitchen scissors is cutting, they are still classified under Chapter 82; if they have other tool functions, they may be classified according to the main function.
Q: Should kitchen scissors be classified under 8213 or 8214?
A: Generally, ordinary kitchen scissors are classified under 8213, but if the scissors have special cutlery functions (such as specifically cutting bones or fish), they may be classified under 8214. It is recommended to judge based on the HS Explanatory Notes and the actual design.
Q: How can I check the tax rate for 821499?
A: Tax rates change. You can check the latest tax rate through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China or the Import and Export Tariff Schedule. Enter code 821499 to view the MFN rate, general rate, etc.
Q: Which code are electric kitchen scissors classified under?
A: Electric kitchen scissors should be classified under 8509 (domestic electric appliances), not Chapter 82.
Q: Where are kitchen scissors with ceramic blades classified?
A: Ceramic blades are not base metal, so they cannot be classified under Chapter 82. They may be classified under 6911 or 6912 (ceramic products).
Q: How should kitchen scissors be described when declaring?
A: The product name, material, use, brand, model, processing method, whether electric, etc. should be declared in detail to ensure accurate classification.
Q: What is the difference between 821499 and 821490?
A: 821490 is the 'other' subheading in the HS code. 821499 may be an extended code for certain countries. In China's tariff schedule, 82149000 is usually used.
Q: Does the classification of kitchen scissors require consideration of blade length?
A: Blade length is not the main basis for classification, but if the scissors are unusually sized, it may affect classification. The main basis is use and design.
Q: If the kitchen scissors are multi-functional, how should they be classified?
A: If the main function of multi-functional kitchen scissors is cutting, they are still classified under Chapter 82; if they have other tool functions, they may be classified according to the main function.
⚠️ 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.