HS code · 6-digit subheading
HS Code 8211.91 – Knives; table knives, having fixed cutting blades, serrated or not, excluding knives and blades of heading no. 8208
HS code 8211.91 is the 6-digit subheading for knives, table knives, having fixed cutting blades, serrated or not, excluding knives and blades of heading no. 8208. It is used for dinner knives, steak knives (individual), butter knives (with cutting edge), dessert knives and fish knives.
What HS 8211.91 covers
This category specifically covers table knives with fixed cutting blades, which may be serrated or not, designed for individual use at the dining table. It explicitly excludes machine blades (8208). These knives are primarily traded for household use, the hospitality industry, and catering sectors, forming an essential part of flatware and dining sets. International trade is driven by consumer demand for tableware, restaurant supplies, and cultural dining practices across the globe. Importers are often countries with high consumer spending, a thriving hospitality industry, or a strong tradition of formal dining. Exporters are typically nations with established cutlery manufacturing traditions, focusing on aesthetics, material quality (often stainless steel), and ergonomic design to complement various dining styles. Key aspects include finish, balance, and resistance to corrosion from food acids and dishwashing.
- Covers
- Dinner knives
- Steak knives (individual)
- Butter knives (with cutting edge)
- Dessert knives
- Fish knives
- Carving knives (table use)
- Bread knives (table use)
- Cheese knives (table use)
- Examples
- Wüsthof steak knives
- Laguiole dinner knives
- Oneida flatware knives
- Christofle table knives
- Victorinox table knives
Codes often confused with 8211.91
Common mistake. Often confused with 821192 (other fixed blade knives) if not clearly identifiable as for table use, or with 8215 (spoons, forks, ladles) if part of a mixed flatware set.
Top exporters and importers of HS code 821191, 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS code 821191 in UN Comtrade data was China, with 40% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 25% 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 $126M 40% of world exports
- 2 Germany $33M 11% of world exports
- 3 Vietnam* ~$31M 9.9% of world exports · partner records ↗
World total: $313M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $88M 25% of world imports
- 2 Germany $32M 9.0% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $18M 5.2% of world imports
World total: $354M 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. 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 8211.91
Brazil does not split HS 8211.91: its NCM code is 8211.91.00.
All Brazil NCM codes in heading 82.11 →
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text is official; the English is our translation.
Questions about HS 8211.91
What is HS code 821191?
HS code 821191 is a 6-digit subheading in the Harmonized System that covers: Knives; table knives, having fixed cutting blades, serrated or not, excluding knives and blades of heading no. 8208. This category specifically covers table knives with fixed cutting blades, which may be serrated or not, designed for individual use at the dining table. It explicitly excludes machine blades (8208). These knives are primarily traded for household use, the hospitality industry, and catering sectors, forming an essential part of flatware and dining sets. International trade is driven by consumer demand for tableware, restaurant supplies, and cultural dining practices across the globe. Importers are often countries with high consumer spending, a thriving hospitality industry, or a strong tradition of formal dining. Exporters are typically nations with established cutlery manufacturing traditions, focusing on aesthetics, material quality (often stainless steel), and ergonomic design to complement various dining styles. Key aspects include finish, balance, and resistance to corrosion from food acids and dishwashing.
What products fall under HS code 821191?
Dinner knives, steak knives (individual), butter knives (with cutting edge), dessert knives, fish knives, carving knives (table use), bread knives (table use), cheese knives (table use)
What are common misclassifications for HS code 821191?
Often confused with 821192 (other fixed blade knives) if not clearly identifiable as for table use, or with 8215 (spoons, forks, ladles) if part of a mixed flatware set.
Which countries are the top exporters of goods under HS code 821191?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS code 821191 in UN Comtrade data were China ($126M, 40% of world exports), Germany ($33M) and Vietnam (about $31M). World exports came to about $313M, 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 821191?
In 2025, the top importers of HS code 821191 in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($88M, 25% of world imports), Germany ($32M) and South Korea ($18M). World imports came to about $354M, 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 821191 structured?
HS code 821191 is a 6-digit subheading under the Harmonized System. The first 2 digits (82) identify the chapter, digits 3-4 (11) identify the heading, and digits 5-6 (91) specify the subheading. This code is standardized globally by the World Customs Organization.
What is the Brazil NCM code for HS code 821191?
In Brazil, HS code 821191 is NCM 8211.91.00. The last two digits are 00 because Brazil does not split this HS code further.