Chapter 84 is a broad category in the HS classification system covering mechanical appliances, machinery, and their parts, ranging from power machinery, pumps, fans, and refrigeration equipment to various processing machines, office equipment, and automatic data processing equipment. The core characteristic of this chapter is that goods must be mechanically powered or independently perform some physical processing function, excluding purely electric, electronic, or optical equipment (classified under Chapter 85, etc.). Heading 8467 covers hand tools or portable tools and is the heading in this chapter directly related to power tools. Heading 8467 covers hand-held pneumatic tools, hand-held power tools, and similar hand-held tools, including chain saws, grinders, electric drills, electric hammers, electric shears, electric screwdrivers, etc. The common characteristics of these tools are: they are hand-held or portable by the operator, driven by pneumatic, electric, or internal combustion power sources, and used for drilling, cutting, grinding, tightening, and similar operations. This heading also includes parts of the above tools, but attention must be paid to the distinction from heading 8466 (parts of machine tools), 8508 (electric motors for hand-held power tools), etc. Code 846720 is a six-digit subheading. The first 2 digits "84" indicate Chapter 84, i.e., nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances and parts thereof; digits 3-4 "67" indicate heading 8467, i.e., hand-held pneumatic or power tools and similar tools; digits 5-6 "20" indicate the specific subheading under this heading, i.e., "other hand-held power tools." Under heading 8467, subheadings are usually divided by power type and tool type: for example, 8467.1 covers hand-held pneumatic tools, 8467.2 covers other hand-held power tools (including electric drills, electric saws, electric grinders, etc.), 8467.8 covers other hand-held tools (such as internal combustion engine driven), and 8467.9 covers parts. 846720 specifically refers to other hand-held tools driven by electric motors other than pneumatic tools, such as electric drills, electric hammers, electric circular saws, electric grinders, etc. This commodity is a power tool, i.e., driven by an electric motor, hand-held, used for drilling, cutting, grinding, and similar operations, conforming to the description of heading 8467 "hand-held power tools." It is not classified under 8467.1 (pneumatic tools) because its power source is electricity; it is not classified under 8508 (electric motors for hand-held power tools) because it is a complete tool rather than a separate electric motor; it is not classified under 8466 (parts and accessories of machine tools) because it is an independent tool rather than a machine tool accessory; it is not classified under 8205 (hand tools) because it is power-driven. Therefore, classification under 846720 is the most accurate.
Chapter
Chapter 84 is a broad category in the HS classification system covering mechanical appliances, machinery, and their parts, ranging from power machinery, pumps, fans, and refrigeration equipment to various processing machines, office equipment, and automatic data processing equipment. The core characteristic of this chapter is that goods must be mechanically powered or independently perform some physical processing function, excluding purely electric, electronic, or optical equipment (classified under Chapter 85, etc.). Heading 8467 covers hand tools or portable tools and is the heading in this chapter directly related to power tools.
Heading
Heading 8467 covers hand-held pneumatic tools, hand-held power tools, and similar hand-held tools, including chain saws, grinders, electric drills, electric hammers, electric shears, electric screwdrivers, etc. The common characteristics of these tools are: they are hand-held or portable by the operator, driven by pneumatic, electric, or internal combustion power sources, and used for drilling, cutting, grinding, tightening, and similar operations. This heading also includes parts of the above tools, but attention must be paid to the distinction from heading 8466 (parts of machine tools), 8508 (electric motors for hand-held power tools), etc.
Digit Breakdown
Code 846720 is a six-digit subheading. The first 2 digits "84" indicate Chapter 84, i.e., nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery and mechanical appliances and parts thereof; digits 3-4 "67" indicate heading 8467, i.e., hand-held pneumatic or power tools and similar tools; digits 5-6 "20" indicate the specific subheading under this heading, i.e., "other hand-held power tools." Under heading 8467, subheadings are usually divided by power type and tool type: for example, 8467.1 covers hand-held pneumatic tools, 8467.2 covers other hand-held power tools (including electric drills, electric saws, electric grinders, etc.), 8467.8 covers other hand-held tools (such as internal combustion engine driven), and 8467.9 covers parts. 846720 specifically refers to other hand-held tools driven by electric motors other than pneumatic tools, such as electric drills, electric hammers, electric circular saws, electric grinders, etc.
Classification Basis
This commodity is a power tool, i.e., driven by an electric motor, hand-held, used for drilling, cutting, grinding, and similar operations, conforming to the description of heading 8467 "hand-held power tools." It is not classified under 8467.1 (pneumatic tools) because its power source is electricity; it is not classified under 8508 (electric motors for hand-held power tools) because it is a complete tool rather than a separate electric motor; it is not classified under 8466 (parts and accessories of machine tools) because it is an independent tool rather than a machine tool accessory; it is not classified under 8205 (hand tools) because it is power-driven. Therefore, classification under 846720 is the most accurate.
📝 Declaration Elements
Product Name: The specific name of the declared commodity, such as "electric drill," "electric hammer," "electric circular saw," etc. Standardized commodity names should be used, avoiding vague expressions such as "power tool." Brand: Fill in the brand name of the tool, such as "Bosch," "Makita," "DeWalt," etc. If there is no brand, fill in "no brand." Model: Fill in the tool model assigned by the manufacturer, such as "GSB 550," "DWD024," etc., used to distinguish specific specifications. Power Source: Specify the power type of the tool, such as "electric (AC/DC)," "pneumatic," "internal combustion engine," etc. 846720 specifically refers to electric. Use: Briefly describe the main use of the tool, such as "for drilling metal," "for cutting wood," "for sanding walls," etc. Working Principle: Explain the driving method of the tool, such as "electric motor driven," "electromagnetic driven," etc., which helps confirm whether it is a power tool. Hand-held or Not: Confirm whether the tool is hand-held. 8467 only covers hand-held tools; non-hand-held tools should be classified under other headings. Rated Voltage: For power tools, fill in the rated voltage (such as 220V, 18V), which helps distinguish DC from AC tools. Customs declaration example:
Product Name: Electric Hammer
Brand: Bosch
Model: GBH 2-26 DRE
Power Source: Electric (AC 220V)
Use: For drilling concrete and brick walls
Working Principle: Electric motor drives impact mechanism
Hand-held or Not: Yes
Rated Voltage: 220V
This declaration element is complete and can clearly define the commodity as a hand-held power tool, classified under 846720. Misreporting pneumatic tools as power tools, resulting in classification under 846720 instead of 846711. Failing to distinguish hand-held from bench-top, incorrectly classifying bench-top power tools under 8467. Brand and model filled in irregularly, making it impossible for customs to confirm commodity attributes during document review. Omitting the declaration of rated voltage, which may affect the distinction between DC and AC tools.
Product Name
The specific name of the declared commodity, such as "electric drill," "electric hammer," "electric circular saw," etc. Standardized commodity names should be used, avoiding vague expressions such as "power tool."
⚠️ Writing only "power tool" or "tool" without specifying the exact type.
Brand
Fill in the brand name of the tool, such as "Bosch," "Makita," "DeWalt," etc. If there is no brand, fill in "no brand."
⚠️ Mistaking the model number for the brand, or misspelling the brand.
Model
Fill in the tool model assigned by the manufacturer, such as "GSB 550," "DWD024," etc., used to distinguish specific specifications.
⚠️ Confusing the model with the brand, or providing incomplete information that cannot be matched.
Power Source
Specify the power type of the tool, such as "electric (AC/DC)," "pneumatic," "internal combustion engine," etc. 846720 specifically refers to electric.
⚠️ Misreporting pneumatic tools as electric, resulting in classification errors.
Use
Briefly describe the main use of the tool, such as "for drilling metal," "for cutting wood," "for sanding walls," etc.
⚠️ The use description is too broad, such as "for industrial use," which cannot assist classification.
Working Principle
Explain the driving method of the tool, such as "electric motor driven," "electromagnetic driven," etc., which helps confirm whether it is a power tool.
⚠️ Failing to explain the working principle, or it contradicts the power source.
Hand-held or Not
Confirm whether the tool is hand-held. 8467 only covers hand-held tools; non-hand-held tools should be classified under other headings.
⚠️ Misreporting bench-top tools as hand-held, resulting in classification errors.
Rated Voltage
For power tools, fill in the rated voltage (such as 220V, 18V), which helps distinguish DC from AC tools.
⚠️ Omitting the voltage, or filling in an incorrect voltage value.
Example: Customs declaration example:
Product Name: Electric Hammer
Brand: Bosch
Model: GBH 2-26 DRE
Power Source: Electric (AC 220V)
Use: For drilling concrete and brick walls
Working Principle: Electric motor drives impact mechanism
Hand-held or Not: Yes
Rated Voltage: 220V
This declaration element is complete and can clearly define the commodity as a hand-held power tool, classified under 846720.
Common Mistakes:
Misreporting pneumatic tools as power tools, resulting in classification under 846720 instead of 846711.
Failing to distinguish hand-held from bench-top, incorrectly classifying bench-top power tools under 8467.
Brand and model filled in irregularly, making it impossible for customs to confirm commodity attributes during document review.
Omitting the declaration of rated voltage, which may affect the distinction between DC and AC tools.
🎯 Classification Logic
The core criteria for classification are: 1) whether it is a hand-held tool; 2) whether it is driven by an electric motor; 3) whether it is used for drilling, cutting, grinding, and similar operations. 846720 only covers hand-held power tools, excluding pneumatic tools (846711), internal combustion engine tools (846781), and parts (846791). At the same time, attention must be paid to the difference from 8508 (electric motors for hand-held power tools): 8508 is a separately presented electric motor, while 846720 is a complete tool. If the tool and the electric motor are presented together and are inseparable, classification shall be according to the tool. 846711 Hand-held pneumatic tools: The power source is compressed air, not electricity. If the tool is driven by a pneumatic motor, it should be classified under 846711, not 846720. 846781 Other hand-held tools (internal combustion engine driven): The power source is an internal combustion engine, such as a gasoline chain saw. 846720 is limited to power tools; internal combustion engine tools are classified under 846781. 8508 Electric motors for hand-held power tools: 8508 is a separately presented electric motor for assembly or repair; 846720 is a complete power tool. If the electric motor and the tool are presented as one unit, classification shall be according to the tool. 8205 Hand tools: 8205 covers non-power-driven hand tools, such as hand drills and hand wrenches. 846720 covers power-driven tools. 8466 Parts and accessories of machine tools: 8466 is used for parts and accessories of machine tools, while 846720 is an independent hand-held tool that does not depend on a machine tool. Is the tool hand-held? Is the power source an electric motor? Is it used for drilling, cutting, grinding, and similar operations? Is it a complete tool presented separately? Is it clearly distinguished from the electric motor of 8508?
Basis
The core criteria for classification are: 1) whether it is a hand-held tool; 2) whether it is driven by an electric motor; 3) whether it is used for drilling, cutting, grinding, and similar operations. 846720 only covers hand-held power tools, excluding pneumatic tools (846711), internal combustion engine tools (846781), and parts (846791). At the same time, attention must be paid to the difference from 8508 (electric motors for hand-held power tools): 8508 is a separately presented electric motor, while 846720 is a complete tool. If the tool and the electric motor are presented together and are inseparable, classification shall be according to the tool.
Confused Codes:
846711 - Hand-held pneumatic tools
The power source is compressed air, not electricity. If the tool is driven by a pneumatic motor, it should be classified under 846711, not 846720.
846781 - Other hand-held tools (internal combustion engine driven)
The power source is an internal combustion engine, such as a gasoline chain saw. 846720 is limited to power tools; internal combustion engine tools are classified under 846781.
8508 - Electric motors for hand-held power tools
8508 is a separately presented electric motor for assembly or repair; 846720 is a complete power tool. If the electric motor and the tool are presented as one unit, classification shall be according to the tool.
8205 - Hand tools
8205 covers non-power-driven hand tools, such as hand drills and hand wrenches. 846720 covers power-driven tools.
8466 - Parts and accessories of machine tools
8466 is used for parts and accessories of machine tools, while 846720 is an independent hand-held tool that does not depend on a machine tool.
Self-Check:
✓ Is the tool hand-held?
✓ Is the power source an electric motor?
✓ Is it used for drilling, cutting, grinding, and similar operations?
✓ Is it a complete tool presented separately?
✓ Is it clearly distinguished from the electric motor of 8508?
❓ FAQ
What is the difference between 846720 and 846729? 846720 is the subheading for "other hand-held power tools," while 846729 is a more detailed subheading (such as 84672910, 84672990, etc.), usually divided by specific tool type. In China Customs' Tariff, 846720 may be further subdivided into 846721 (electric drills), 846722 (electric saws), 846729 (others), etc. Therefore, 846720 is a general code, and a more precise 8-10 digit code must be selected according to the tool type when making a specific declaration. How should power tools exported with batteries be declared? If the battery and the tool are presented together and form an inseparable part of the tool, they are usually classified as a whole under 846720. However, if the battery is packaged separately or as a spare part, it must be classified separately: batteries under 8507, tools under 846720. When declaring, indicate "with battery" or "without battery" in the product name and list them separately. How can I check the import tariff rate for 846720? Tariff rates are adjusted according to national policies. It is recommended to obtain the latest rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China, the International Trade Single Window, or professional tariff query tools. Usually, it is necessary to determine the country of origin, trade agreements (such as RCEP), and whether the most-favored-nation rate applies. Note that 846720 may involve export tax rebates, so the export tax rebate rate should be checked. What are the customs regulatory conditions for power tools? Goods under 846720 usually have no special regulatory conditions, but some power tools may involve CCC certification (China Compulsory Product Certification) or export quality licenses. The specifics depend on the tool type, use, and destination country requirements. It is recommended to check the Catalog of Import and Export Commodities Subject to Inspection and Quarantine by Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Institutions before declaration. Which code should power tool parts be classified under? Parts of hand-held power tools should be classified under 846791 (parts of hand-held pneumatic tools) or 846799 (parts of other hand-held tools). However, note that if the part is an electric motor, it is classified under 8508; if the part is a cutting tool, it may be classified under 8207. Classification should be determined based on the function and use of the part. What is the difference between 846720 and 846789? 846789 is "other hand-held tools (including internal combustion engine driven)," while 846720 specifically refers to power tools. If the tool is driven by non-electric power such as an internal combustion engine or hydraulic power, it should be classified under 846789. For example, a gasoline chain saw is classified under 846781, while an electric chain saw is classified under 846722. Can 846720 be used for cross-border e-commerce retail export of power tools? Yes, but note that cross-border e-commerce retail exports usually use simplified declaration and still require an HS code. 846720 applies to hand-held power tools, but if a tool set contains multiple tools, they must be classified separately or according to the main function. It is recommended to consult a professional customs broker to ensure compliance. How should the use of a power tool be described when declaring? The use description should be specific, such as "for drilling metal," "for cutting wood," "for sanding walls," etc., avoiding vague expressions such as "industrial use" or "household use." The use helps customs confirm the function and classification of the tool, especially in distinguishing 846720 from other headings such as 846789.
Q: What is the difference between 846720 and 846729?
A: 846720 is the subheading for "other hand-held power tools," while 846729 is a more detailed subheading (such as 84672910, 84672990, etc.), usually divided by specific tool type. In China Customs' Tariff, 846720 may be further subdivided into 846721 (electric drills), 846722 (electric saws), 846729 (others), etc. Therefore, 846720 is a general code, and a more precise 8-10 digit code must be selected according to the tool type when making a specific declaration.
Q: How should power tools exported with batteries be declared?
A: If the battery and the tool are presented together and form an inseparable part of the tool, they are usually classified as a whole under 846720. However, if the battery is packaged separately or as a spare part, it must be classified separately: batteries under 8507, tools under 846720. When declaring, indicate "with battery" or "without battery" in the product name and list them separately.
Q: How can I check the import tariff rate for 846720?
A: Tariff rates are adjusted according to national policies. It is recommended to obtain the latest rates through the official website of the General Administration of Customs of China, the International Trade Single Window, or professional tariff query tools. Usually, it is necessary to determine the country of origin, trade agreements (such as RCEP), and whether the most-favored-nation rate applies. Note that 846720 may involve export tax rebates, so the export tax rebate rate should be checked.
Q: What are the customs regulatory conditions for power tools?
A: Goods under 846720 usually have no special regulatory conditions, but some power tools may involve CCC certification (China Compulsory Product Certification) or export quality licenses. The specifics depend on the tool type, use, and destination country requirements. It is recommended to check the Catalog of Import and Export Commodities Subject to Inspection and Quarantine by Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Institutions before declaration.
Q: Which code should power tool parts be classified under?
A: Parts of hand-held power tools should be classified under 846791 (parts of hand-held pneumatic tools) or 846799 (parts of other hand-held tools). However, note that if the part is an electric motor, it is classified under 8508; if the part is a cutting tool, it may be classified under 8207. Classification should be determined based on the function and use of the part.
Q: What is the difference between 846720 and 846789?
A: 846789 is "other hand-held tools (including internal combustion engine driven)," while 846720 specifically refers to power tools. If the tool is driven by non-electric power such as an internal combustion engine or hydraulic power, it should be classified under 846789. For example, a gasoline chain saw is classified under 846781, while an electric chain saw is classified under 846722.
Q: Can 846720 be used for cross-border e-commerce retail export of power tools?
A: Yes, but note that cross-border e-commerce retail exports usually use simplified declaration and still require an HS code. 846720 applies to hand-held power tools, but if a tool set contains multiple tools, they must be classified separately or according to the main function. It is recommended to consult a professional customs broker to ensure compliance.
Q: How should the use of a power tool be described when declaring?
A: The use description should be specific, such as "for drilling metal," "for cutting wood," "for sanding walls," etc., avoiding vague expressions such as "industrial use" or "household use." The use helps customs confirm the function and classification of the tool, especially in distinguishing 846720 from other headings such as 846789.
⚠️ 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.