Chapter 82 covers tools, implements, cutlery, spoons, forks and parts thereof, of base metal. This chapter includes hand tools, power tools, knives, scissors, razors, spoons, forks, etc., but excludes certain specific articles such as articles of precious metal (Chapter 71), knives for machines (certain headings of Chapter 82) and works of art. The core characteristic is that they are made of base metal and are mostly hand-held or manually operated tools and tableware. Heading 8215 covers spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter-knives, sugar tongs and similar kitchen or tableware, of base metal. It includes finished products of base metals such as stainless steel, copper and aluminum, but excludes articles of precious metal (Chapter 71) or ceramic and glass articles (Chapters 69/70). This heading is subdivided into subheadings by different materials and uses. First 2 digits 82: Chapter 82, tools, implements, cutlery, spoons, forks and parts thereof, of base metal. Digits 3-4: 15: heading 8215, specifically spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter-knives, sugar tongs and similar kitchen or tableware, of base metal. Digits 5-6: 91: subheading 821591, referring to the above tableware of stainless steel. Note: under 8215 there are other subheadings such as 821510 (sets), 821520 (of other base metal), 821599 (other, of stainless steel, not in sets). This product is stainless steel tableware, belongs to tableware of base metal, and is not in a set for retail sale, so it is classified under 8215.91. If it is in a set for retail sale (such as a combination of knife, fork and spoon), it should be classified under 8215.10; if it is of other base metal (such as copper or aluminum), it is classified under 8215.20; if it is made of stainless steel but is not tableware (such as kitchen spatulas or tongs), it may be classified under 8215.99 or other headings.
Chapter
Chapter 82 covers tools, implements, cutlery, spoons, forks and parts thereof, of base metal. This chapter includes hand tools, power tools, knives, scissors, razors, spoons, forks, etc., but excludes certain specific articles such as articles of precious metal (Chapter 71), knives for machines (certain headings of Chapter 82) and works of art. The core characteristic is that they are made of base metal and are mostly hand-held or manually operated tools and tableware.
Heading
Heading 8215 covers spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter-knives, sugar tongs and similar kitchen or tableware, of base metal. It includes finished products of base metals such as stainless steel, copper and aluminum, but excludes articles of precious metal (Chapter 71) or ceramic and glass articles (Chapters 69/70). This heading is subdivided into subheadings by different materials and uses.
Digit Breakdown
First 2 digits 82: Chapter 82, tools, implements, cutlery, spoons, forks and parts thereof, of base metal. Digits 3-4: 15: heading 8215, specifically spoons, forks, ladles, skimmers, cake-servers, fish-knives, butter-knives, sugar tongs and similar kitchen or tableware, of base metal. Digits 5-6: 91: subheading 821591, referring to the above tableware of stainless steel. Note: under 8215 there are other subheadings such as 821510 (sets), 821520 (of other base metal), 821599 (other, of stainless steel, not in sets).
Classification Basis
This product is stainless steel tableware, belongs to tableware of base metal, and is not in a set for retail sale, so it is classified under 8215.91. If it is in a set for retail sale (such as a combination of knife, fork and spoon), it should be classified under 8215.10; if it is of other base metal (such as copper or aluminum), it is classified under 8215.20; if it is made of stainless steel but is not tableware (such as kitchen spatulas or tongs), it may be classified under 8215.99 or other headings.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product name: The specific name of the declared commodity, such as stainless steel fork, stainless steel soup spoon, etc., which must be consistent with the actual goods. Material: Clearly specify the type of stainless steel, such as 304 stainless steel, 430 stainless steel, etc., which affects classification and customs valuation. Use: Explain the specific use, such as table use or kitchen use, which must be consistent with the scope of heading 8215. Brand: If there is a brand, the brand name (in Chinese or a foreign language) must be declared; if there is no brand, 'none' may be filled in. Model: Declare the commodity model or item number to facilitate customs identification and document review. Set or single piece: State whether it is in a set for retail sale, which affects subheading classification (8215.10 or 8215.91). Processing method: Explain the processing technique, such as stamping, polishing, welding, etc., to assist in determining classification. Product name: stainless steel fork; Material: 304 stainless steel; Use: table use; Brand: none; Model: CF-2024; Set or single piece: single piece; Processing method: stamped and then polished. Specifications: length 20 cm, weight 50 g. Quantity: 1,000 pieces; Packaging: carton packing. Incorrectly classifying a stainless steel tableware set under 8215.91 when it should actually be classified under 8215.10. Unclear material declaration, such as writing only 'stainless steel' without providing the specific grade. Use description is too broad, such as 'kitchen use', which is easily misclassified under 8215.99 or other headings.
Product name
The specific name of the declared commodity, such as stainless steel fork, stainless steel soup spoon, etc., which must be consistent with the actual goods.
⚠️ Writing only 'stainless steel tableware' is too general and does not distinguish the specific type.
Material
Clearly specify the type of stainless steel, such as 304 stainless steel, 430 stainless steel, etc., which affects classification and customs valuation.
⚠️ Writing only 'stainless steel' in general terms without providing the grade or composition.
Use
Explain the specific use, such as table use or kitchen use, which must be consistent with the scope of heading 8215.
⚠️ Mistakenly writing 'kitchen tool', which may lead to classification under other headings.
Brand
If there is a brand, the brand name (in Chinese or a foreign language) must be declared; if there is no brand, 'none' may be filled in.
⚠️ Ignoring brand declaration, or filling it in incompletely.
Model
Declare the commodity model or item number to facilitate customs identification and document review.
⚠️ Incorrect model entry or inconsistency with the actual goods.
Set or single piece
State whether it is in a set for retail sale, which affects subheading classification (8215.10 or 8215.91).
⚠️ Incorrectly declaring a tableware set as a single piece, resulting in classification errors.
Processing method
Explain the processing technique, such as stamping, polishing, welding, etc., to assist in determining classification.
⚠️ Failure to describe the processing method, which may cause customs to question the classification.
Example： Product name: stainless steel fork; Material: 304 stainless steel; Use: table use; Brand: none; Model: CF-2024; Set or single piece: single piece; Processing method: stamped and then polished. Specifications: length 20 cm, weight 50 g. Quantity: 1,000 pieces; Packaging: carton packing.
Common Mistakes：
Incorrectly classifying a stainless steel tableware set under 8215.91 when it should actually be classified under 8215.10.
Unclear material declaration, such as writing only 'stainless steel' without providing the specific grade.
Use description is too broad, such as 'kitchen use', which is easily misclassified under 8215.99 or other headings.
🎯 Classification Logic
Core basis for classification: 1) The material is base metal (stainless steel); 2) It belongs to tableware such as spoons, forks, ladles; 3) It is not in a set for retail sale. According to General Rules 1 and 6 for the interpretation of the HS, it should be classified under 8215.91. If it is in a set for retail sale, it is classified under 8215.10; if it is of other base metal, it is classified under 8215.20. 821510 Sets of base metal tableware: 821510 is base metal tableware in sets for retail sale (such as a combination of knife, fork and spoon), while 821591 is single-piece stainless steel tableware. 821520 Other base metal tableware: 821520 is made of other base metals (such as copper or aluminum), while 821591 specifically refers to stainless steel. 821599 Other stainless steel tableware not in sets: 821599 covers other stainless steel tableware that is not spoons, forks, etc., such as cake-servers and fish-knives, while 821591 specifically refers to spoons, forks, ladles, etc. 732393 Stainless steel kitchen or tableware: 732393 is other stainless steel household articles, such as pots and plates, while 821591 is hand-held tableware. Is the material stainless steel? Is it a spoon, fork, ladle, etc.? Is it a single piece and not in a set? Is it used for the table rather than as a kitchen tool? Are precious metal or ceramic materials excluded?
Basis
Core basis for classification: 1) The material is base metal (stainless steel); 2) It belongs to tableware such as spoons, forks, ladles; 3) It is not in a set for retail sale. According to General Rules 1 and 6 for the interpretation of the HS, it should be classified under 8215.91. If it is in a set for retail sale, it is classified under 8215.10; if it is of other base metal, it is classified under 8215.20.
Confused Codes：
821510 - Sets of base metal tableware
821510 is base metal tableware in sets for retail sale (such as a combination of knife, fork and spoon), while 821591 is single-piece stainless steel tableware.
821520 - Other base metal tableware
821520 is made of other base metals (such as copper or aluminum), while 821591 specifically refers to stainless steel.
821599 - Other stainless steel tableware not in sets
821599 covers other stainless steel tableware that is not spoons, forks, etc., such as cake-servers and fish-knives, while 821591 specifically refers to spoons, forks, ladles, etc.
732393 - Stainless steel kitchen or tableware
732393 is other stainless steel household articles, such as pots and plates, while 821591 is hand-held tableware.
Self-Check：
✓ Is the material stainless steel?
✓ Is it a spoon, fork, ladle, etc.?
✓ Is it a single piece and not in a set?
✓ Is it used for the table rather than as a kitchen tool?
✓ Are precious metal or ceramic materials excluded?
❓ FAQ
How can I check the tariff rate for HS code 821591? You can check the import MFN rate, general rate, VAT and consumption tax (if applicable) by entering code 821591 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or a professional tariff inquiry platform. Note that tariff rates may be adjusted with policy changes, and the latest announcement should prevail. What is the difference between the HS codes for stainless steel tableware and ceramic tableware? Stainless steel tableware is classified under 8215, and ceramic tableware is classified under 6911 or 6912. The difference lies in the material. Customs classification is mainly based on material, so the material must be declared accurately. How should stainless steel tableware sets be classified? Stainless steel tableware in sets for retail sale (such as a combination of knife, fork and spoon) should be classified under 8215.10, not 8215.91. A set means the package contains multiple types of tableware and is usually sold as a matching set. Are stainless steel forks and table knives classified under the same code? Forks, spoons, ladles, etc. are classified under 8215.91, while table knives, if they are cutlery, are classified under 8211, but table knives such as butter-knives and fish-knives are still classified under 8215. Judgment should be made according to the specific function. Must brand and model be filled in when declaring? Brand and model are important declaration elements. If available, they must be truthfully filled in; if there is no brand, 'none' may be filled in. The model helps customs identify the commodity and avoid classification disputes. Does the export tax rebate apply to stainless steel tableware? The export tax rebate depends on the commodity code and the policy at the time. 821591 may enjoy an export tax rebate, and the specific rebate rate must be checked in the latest export tax rebate documents. It is advisable to consult the local tax authority or customs broker. How can I determine whether stainless steel tableware is a set? A set usually means the package contains multiple types of tableware (such as knife, fork and spoon) and is sold as a complete set. If sold separately or if the package contains the same type of tableware, it is regarded as a single piece and classified under 8215.91. What are common errors in the declaration elements for stainless steel tableware? Common errors include: writing only 'stainless steel' as the material without providing the grade; writing 'kitchen use' as the use, leading to classification deviation; failing to state whether it is a set; and omitting the brand and model. It is advisable to carefully check the customs declaration filling specifications.
Q: How can I check the tariff rate for HS code 821591?
A: You can check the import MFN rate, general rate, VAT and consumption tax (if applicable) by entering code 821591 on the official website of the General Administration of Customs, China International Trade Single Window, or a professional tariff inquiry platform. Note that tariff rates may be adjusted with policy changes, and the latest announcement should prevail.
Q: What is the difference between the HS codes for stainless steel tableware and ceramic tableware?
A: Stainless steel tableware is classified under 8215, and ceramic tableware is classified under 6911 or 6912. The difference lies in the material. Customs classification is mainly based on material, so the material must be declared accurately.
Q: How should stainless steel tableware sets be classified?
A: Stainless steel tableware in sets for retail sale (such as a combination of knife, fork and spoon) should be classified under 8215.10, not 8215.91. A set means the package contains multiple types of tableware and is usually sold as a matching set.
Q: Are stainless steel forks and table knives classified under the same code?
A: Forks, spoons, ladles, etc. are classified under 8215.91, while table knives, if they are cutlery, are classified under 8211, but table knives such as butter-knives and fish-knives are still classified under 8215. Judgment should be made according to the specific function.
Q: Must brand and model be filled in when declaring?
A: Brand and model are important declaration elements. If available, they must be truthfully filled in; if there is no brand, 'none' may be filled in. The model helps customs identify the commodity and avoid classification disputes.
Q: Does the export tax rebate apply to stainless steel tableware?
A: The export tax rebate depends on the commodity code and the policy at the time. 821591 may enjoy an export tax rebate, and the specific rebate rate must be checked in the latest export tax rebate documents. It is advisable to consult the local tax authority or customs broker.
Q: How can I determine whether stainless steel tableware is a set?
A: A set usually means the package contains multiple types of tableware (such as knife, fork and spoon) and is sold as a complete set. If sold separately or if the package contains the same type of tableware, it is regarded as a single piece and classified under 8215.91.
Q: What are common errors in the declaration elements for stainless steel tableware?
A: Common errors include: writing only 'stainless steel' as the material without providing the grade; writing 'kitchen use' as the use, leading to classification deviation; failing to state whether it is a set; and omitting the brand and model. It is advisable to carefully check the customs declaration filling specifications.
⚠️ 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.