HS code · 6-digit subheading

HS Code 8203.20 – Tools, hand; pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers and similar tools

HS code 8203.20 is the 6-digit subheading for tools, hand, pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers and similar tools. It is used for combination pliers, needle-nose pliers, diagonal cutting pliers, slip-joint pliers and locking pliers.

What HS 8203.20 covers

This HS code encompasses a broad range of hand tools designed for gripping, bending, cutting, and manipulating small objects or wires, including pliers, pincers, and tweezers. These tools are fundamental across countless industries, such as electronics, automotive, plumbing, jewelry manufacturing, and general DIY. Importers span from large industrial suppliers and construction material distributors to small specialty retailers, reflecting the universal demand for these versatile tools. Exporters are typically well-established tool manufacturers renowned for their precision engineering, durable materials, and ergonomic designs. Key aspects influencing trade include the specific jaw design (e.g., needle-nose, diagonal-cutting), handle ergonomics for user comfort, and the material strength, especially crucial for cutting applications to ensure longevity and performance.

Covers
  • Combination pliers
  • Needle-nose pliers
  • Diagonal cutting pliers
  • Slip-joint pliers
  • Locking pliers
  • Water pump pliers
  • Circlip pliers
  • Precision tweezers
Examples
  • Knipex Pliers
  • Channellock Pliers
  • Vise-Grip Locking Pliers
  • Klein Tools Lineman's Pliers

Codes often confused with 8203.20

Common mistake. Sometimes confused with specialized surgical instruments (Chapter 90) if they resemble medical tweezers, or with certain gripping tools that might fall under other machinery parts.

Top exporters and importers of HS code 820320, 2025

In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 820320 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 41% 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. 1 China $952M
  2. 2 Germany $422M
  3. 3 Taiwan* ~$177M

World total: $2.3B Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗

Top importers 2025 · share of world imports

  1. 1 United States $334M
  2. 2 Germany $170M
  3. 3 France $93M

World total: $2.0B 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 marked * did not, so their figures add up what other countries recorded trading with them, and their exports are valued at buyers' CIF prices. 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. UN Comtrade records Taiwan as "Other Asia, not elsewhere specified". Saudi Arabia's exports under that code are left out: they are far too large to be trade with Taiwan, so mostly undisclosed partners. 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 codes for 8203.20 2

Brazil splits HS 8203.20 into 2 NCM codes, Mercosur's 8-digit tariff lines.

  1. 8203.20.10 Pliers, including cutting pliersAlicates (mesmo cortantes)
  2. 8203.20.90 Pincers, tweezers and similar toolsOutras

All Brazil NCM codes in heading 82.03 →

Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.

Questions about HS 8203.20

What is HS code 820320?

HS code 820320 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Tools, hand; pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers and similar tools. This HS code encompasses a broad range of hand tools designed for gripping, bending, cutting, and manipulating small objects or wires, including pliers, pincers, and tweezers. These tools are fundamental across countless industries, such as electronics, automotive, plumbing, jewelry manufacturing, and general DIY. Importers span from large industrial suppliers and construction material distributors to small specialty retailers, reflecting the universal demand for these versatile tools. Exporters are typically well-established tool manufacturers renowned for their precision engineering, durable materials, and ergonomic designs. Key aspects influencing trade include the specific jaw design (e.g., needle-nose, diagonal-cutting), handle ergonomics for user comfort, and the material strength, especially crucial for cutting applications to ensure longevity and performance.

What products fall under HS code 820320?

Combination pliers, needle-nose pliers, diagonal cutting pliers, slip-joint pliers, locking pliers, water pump pliers, circlip pliers, precision tweezers

What are common misclassifications for HS code 820320?

Sometimes confused with specialized surgical instruments (Chapter 90) if they resemble medical tweezers, or with certain gripping tools that might fall under other machinery parts.

Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 820320?

In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 820320 in UN Comtrade data were China ($952M, 41% of world exports), Germany ($422M) and Taiwan (about $177M). World exports came to about $2.3B, 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 820320?

In 2025, the top importers of HS code 820320 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($334M, 16% of world imports), Germany ($170M) and France ($93M). World imports came to about $2.0B, 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 820320 structured?

HS code 820320 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (82) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (03) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (20) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.

What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 820320?

Brazil splits HS code 820320 into 2 NCM codes: 8203.20.10 (Pliers, including cutting pliers), 8203.20.90 (Pincers, tweezers and similar tools). The first 6 digits of each match the HS code.