Heading 8203
HTS code 8203 — Files, rasps, pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers, metal cutting shears, pipe cutters, bolt cutters, perforating punches and similar handtools, and base metal parts thereof
- Chapter
- 82 — Tools and cutlery
- Tariff lines
- 11
- General duty
- General duty rates from 3.3% to 12%, with 4 duty-free lines; 2 lines carry a specific or compound duty
Tariff lines under heading 8203
Full 10-digit codes with their general (MFN) duty rates. The correct line depends on the product's material, construction, and use.
| HTS code | Description | General rate | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8203.10.3000 | Not over 11 cm in length (Files, rasps, pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers, metal cutting shears, pipe cutters, bolt cutters, perforating punches and similar handtools, and base metal parts thereof > Files, rasps and similar tools) | Free | doz. |
| 8203.10.6000 | Over 11 cm but not over 17 cm in length (Files, rasps, pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers, metal cutting shears, pipe cutters, bolt cutters, perforating punches and similar handtools, and base metal parts thereof > Files, rasps and similar tools) | Free | doz. |
| 8203.10.9000 | Over 17 cm in length (Files, rasps, pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers, metal cutting shears, pipe cutters, bolt cutters, perforating punches and similar handtools, and base metal parts thereof > Files, rasps and similar tools) | Free | doz. |
| 8203.20.2000 | Tweezers (Files, rasps, pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers, metal cutting shears, pipe cutters, bolt cutters, perforating punches and similar handtools, and base metal parts thereof > Pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers and similar tools, and parts thereof) | 4% | No. |
| 8203.20.4000 | Slip joint pliers (Files, rasps, pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers, metal cutting shears, pipe cutters, bolt cutters, perforating punches and similar handtools, and base metal parts thereof > Pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers and similar tools, and parts thereof > Other) | 12% | doz. |
| 8203.20.6030 | Pliers (Files, rasps, pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers, metal cutting shears, pipe cutters, bolt cutters, perforating punches and similar handtools, and base metal parts thereof > Pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers and similar tools, and parts thereof > Other > Other (except parts)) | 12¢/doz. + 5.5% | doz. |
| 8203.20.6060 | Other (Files, rasps, pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers, metal cutting shears, pipe cutters, bolt cutters, perforating punches and similar handtools, and base metal parts thereof > Pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers and similar tools, and parts thereof > Other > Other (except parts)) | 12¢/doz. + 5.5% | doz. |
| 8203.20.8000 | Parts (Files, rasps, pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers, metal cutting shears, pipe cutters, bolt cutters, perforating punches and similar handtools, and base metal parts thereof > Pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers and similar tools, and parts thereof > Other) | 4.5% | No. |
| 8203.30.0000 | Metal cutting shears and similar tools, and parts thereof (Files, rasps, pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers, metal cutting shears, pipe cutters, bolt cutters, perforating punches and similar handtools, and base metal parts thereof) | Free | No. |
| 8203.40.3000 | With cutting part containing by weight over 0.2 percent of chromium, molybdenum, or tungsten or over 0.1 percent of vanadium (Files, rasps, pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers, metal cutting shears, pipe cutters, bolt cutters, perforating punches and similar handtools, and base metal parts thereof > Pipe cutters, bolt cutters, perforating punches and similar tools, and parts thereof) | 6% | No. |
| 8203.40.6000 | Other (including parts) (Files, rasps, pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers, metal cutting shears, pipe cutters, bolt cutters, perforating punches and similar handtools, and base metal parts thereof > Pipe cutters, bolt cutters, perforating punches and similar tools, and parts thereof) | 3.3% | No. |
Documents required to import under 8203
Customs paperwork typically required to import these goods into the United States. Conditional items depend on shipment value, transport mode, or origin.
- Commercial InvoiceRequired
- Packing ListRequired
- Bill of Lading / Airway BillRequired
- CBP Entry Summary (7501)Required
Prepared and filed by your customs broker
- CBP Entry / Release (3461)Required
Prepared and filed by your customs broker
- Customs Bond (CBP 301)Conditional
Required for formal entries — generally shipments valued over $2,500
Single-entry or continuous bond, obtained through your broker or a surety
- Importer Security Filing (ISF "10+2")Conditional
Required for ocean freight only
Filed electronically at least 24 hours before loading at the foreign port
- Importer ID Input Record (CBP 5106)Conditional
Required to establish or update your importer-of-record number with CBP
One-time setup for a new importer; not filed per shipment
- Entry Manifest (CBP 7533)Conditional
Alternative to the 3461 for informal, low-value, or contiguous-country entries
Common questions
- What is HTS code 8203?
- HTS heading 8203 covers files, rasps, pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers, metal cutting shears, pipe cutters, bolt cutters, perforating punches and similar handtools, and base metal parts thereof. It sits in Chapter 82 (tools and cutlery) of the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule and contains 11 tariff lines.
- What is the duty rate for HTS 8203?
- General duty rates from 3.3% to 12%, with 4 duty-free lines; 2 lines carry a specific or compound duty. The general rate applies to most-favoured-nation trading partners; goods from countries with a free trade agreement may qualify for a reduced or duty-free special rate.
- How many digits does a full HTS code have?
- US import entries require the full 10-digit HTS code. Heading 8203 is the first four digits — the remaining six narrow it down to the specific product, which is what determines the duty rate you actually pay.
Related headings in Chapter 82
- 8201Handtools of the following kinds and base metal parts thereof: spades, shovels, mattocks, picks, hoes, forks and rakes; axes, bill hooks and similar hewing tools; secateurs and pruners of any kind; scythes, sickles, hay knives, hedge shears, timber wedges and other tools of a kind used in agriculture, horticulture or forestry
- 8202Handsaws, and metal parts thereof; blades for saws of all kinds (including slitting, slotting or toothless saw blades), and base metal parts thereof
- 8204Hand-operated spanners and wrenches (including torque meter wrenches but not including tap wrenches); socket wrenches, with or without handles, drives or extensions; base metal parts thereof
- 8205Handtools (including glass cutters) not elsewhere specified or included; blow torches and similar self-contained torches; vises, clamps and the like, other than accessories for and parts of machine tools or water-jet cutting machines; anvils; portable forges; hand- or pedal-operated grinding wheels with frameworks; base metal parts thereof
- 8206Tools of two or more of headings 8202 to 8205, put up in sets for retail sale
- 8207Interchangeable tools for handtools, whether or not power operated, or for machine-tools (for example, for pressing, stamping, punching, tapping, threading, drilling, boring, broaching, milling, turning or screwdriving), including dies for drawing or extruding metal, and rock drilling or earth boring tools; base metal parts thereof
- 8208Knives and cutting blades, for machines or for mechanical appliances, and base metal parts thereof
- 8209Plates, sticks, tips and the like for tools, unmounted, of cermets