HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8201.40 – Tools, hand; axes, bill hooks and similar hewing tools, of a kind used in agriculture, horticulture or forestry
HS code 8201.40 is the 6-digit subheading for tools, hand, axes, bill hooks and similar hewing tools, of a kind used in agriculture, horticulture or forestry. It is used for felling axes, splitting mauls, hatchets, billhooks and brush axes.
What HS 8201.40 covers
This category encompasses hand tools primarily used for cutting, splitting, and shaping wood in agricultural, horticultural, and forestry contexts, including axes, bill hooks, and similar hewing implements. International trade in these robust tools is consistently strong, fueled by ongoing demand from logging operations, farm maintenance, land clearing, and landscaping projects worldwide. Countries with extensive natural forests and active forestry industries, such as Canada, Sweden, Russia, and the USA, are significant end-users and often major importers. Conversely, major manufacturing hubs known for their steel production and precision tooling, like China, Germany, and the USA, are key exporters. The trade often involves both high-quality, specialized tools designed for professional loggers and arborists, and more general-purpose items catering to domestic markets and smaller-scale farming. Factors influencing trade include the superior quality of the steel blade, the material and ergonomic design of the handle for safety and efficiency, and the tool's specific intended application (e.g., felling, splitting, limbing, brush clearing). Durability, balance, and adherence to safety certifications are paramount for market acceptance and user trust.
- Covers
- Felling axes
- Splitting mauls
- Hatchets
- Billhooks
- Brush axes
- Forestry axes
- Log splitting wedges
- Kindling hatchets
- Examples
- Gränsfors Bruk Felling Axe
- Fiskars X27 Splitting Axe
- Husqvarna Forest Axe
- Estwing Camp Axe
Codes often confused with 8201.40
Common mistake. These tools can be confused with general-purpose hand tools for carpentry (e.g., 820559 for other hand tools n.e.c.) if their agricultural/forestry use isn't explicit. It's also important to distinguish them from power-operated cutting tools like chainsaws (846781).
Top exporters and importers of HS code 820140, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 820140 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 40% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 16% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $106M 40% of world exports
- 2 Colombia $21M 8.0% of world exports
- 3 El Salvador $13M 4.9% of world exports
World total: $266M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $39M 16% of world imports
- 2 Germany $18M 7.4% of world imports
- 3 Poland $13M 5.3% of world imports
World total: $243M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
How these figures are built
109 countries reported 2025 trade to UN Comtrade in HS 2022, and their own totals are used. Countries that did not report are estimated from what other countries recorded trading with them. Those estimates miss trade with other non-reporting countries, so they can be low, and a non-reporting country can rank higher than shown or be missing from the list. World totals add both and leave out trade between two non-reporting countries. Figures are in current US dollars; reported imports are mostly valued CIF and exports FOB, and exports include re-exports. The UN Comtrade links show the underlying records; they can also list a few reporters left out here (regional groups and older HS editions).
Source: UN Comtrade (United Nations Statistics Division), 2025 annual data.
Brazil NCM code for 8201.40
Brazil does not split HS 8201.40: its NCM code is 8201.40.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 82.01 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8201.40
What is HS code 820140?
HS code 820140 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Tools, hand; axes, bill hooks and similar hewing tools, of a kind used in agriculture, horticulture or forestry. This category encompasses hand tools primarily used for cutting, splitting, and shaping wood in agricultural, horticultural, and forestry contexts, including axes, bill hooks, and similar hewing implements. International trade in these robust tools is consistently strong, fueled by ongoing demand from logging operations, farm maintenance, land clearing, and landscaping projects worldwide. Countries with extensive natural forests and active forestry industries, such as Canada, Sweden, Russia, and the USA, are significant end-users and often major importers. Conversely, major manufacturing hubs known for their steel production and precision tooling, like China, Germany, and the USA, are key exporters. The trade often involves both high-quality, specialized tools designed for professional loggers and arborists, and more general-purpose items catering to domestic markets and smaller-scale farming. Factors influencing trade include the superior quality of the steel blade, the material and ergonomic design of the handle for safety and efficiency, and the tool's specific intended application (e.g., felling, splitting, limbing, brush clearing). Durability, balance, and adherence to safety certifications are paramount for market acceptance and user trust.
What products fall under HS code 820140?
Felling axes, splitting mauls, hatchets, billhooks, brush axes, forestry axes, log splitting wedges, kindling hatchets
What are common misclassifications for HS code 820140?
These tools can be confused with general-purpose hand tools for carpentry (e.g., 820559 for other hand tools n.e.c.) if their agricultural/forestry use isn't explicit. It's also important to distinguish them from power-operated cutting tools like chainsaws (846781).
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 820140?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 820140 in UN Comtrade data were China ($106M, 40% of world exports), Colombia ($21M) and El Salvador ($13M). World exports came to about $266M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Which countries are the top importers of goods under HS code 820140?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 820140 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($39M, 16% of world imports), Germany ($18M) and Poland ($13M). World imports came to about $243M, adding countries' reported figures and partner-based estimates for those that did not report (UN Comtrade data). Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
How is HS code 820140 structured?
HS code 820140 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (82) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (01) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (40) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 820140?
In Brazil, HS code 820140 is NCM 8201.40.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.