Product classification
HS code for Hand sieves: 9604.00
Hand sieves and hand riddles.
Classification of hand sieves under HS 9604.00
Hand sieves and hand riddles are classified under HS code 9604.00. This heading is part of Chapter 96, which encompasses miscellaneous manufactured articles. Unlike industrial machinery used for sorting or screening, hand sieves are simple manual instruments used to separate particles of different sizes. The classification applies to sieves used in various environments, including domestic kitchens, laboratories, and construction sites. The essential characteristic is the mesh or perforated surface through which material is passed by hand. This code is unique because it does not differentiate based on the material of the frame (wood, metal, or plastic), as long as the item functions as a manual sieve or riddle. The classification is determined by the manual nature of the operation, distinguishing it from mechanical screening equipment. Whether the sieve is used for flour, sand, or chemical powders, it remains under 9604.00 provided it is operated by hand.
- Covers
- Flour sieves for baking
- Sand riddles for construction
- Laboratory test sieves
- Garden sieves for soil
- Kitchen strainers with mesh
- Ash sieves for fireplaces
- Grain riddles
- Manual soil sifters
- Also under 9604.00
- OXO Good Grips sieves
- Cuisinart strainers
- Norpro sieves
- Fiskars garden riddles
- Gilmour garden sieves
Codes often confused with 9604.00
Common mistake. The most common misclassification occurs with industrial screening machines, which fall under heading 8474. If the sieve is part of a machine or requires mechanical power to operate, it cannot be classified under 9604.00. Another common error is classifying metal kitchen sieves under 7323 (table or kitchen articles of iron or steel). However, heading 9604 is more specific for sieving instruments. Furthermore, centrifugal strainers or filters are classified under 8421. It is vital to distinguish between a simple hand sieve and a complex filtration system to ensure correct duty application.
Top exporters and importers of HS 960400 (the code used for hand sieves), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 960400 (the code used for hand sieves) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 23% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the Philippines, with 16% of world imports. Countries that did not report 2025 data are estimated from partner records, which can understate them.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 960400, not only hand sieves.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $10M 23% of world exports
- 2 China $4.0M 9.0% of world exports
- 3 United Kingdom $3.5M 8.0% of world exports
World total: $44M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Philippines $13M 16% of world imports
- 2 Germany $12M 14% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $3.7M 4.6% of world imports
World total: $80M 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 hand sieves
Brazil classifies hand sieves under NCM 9604.00.00: HS 9604.00 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about hand sieves
What is the HS code for Hand sieves?
The HS code for Hand sieves is 960400 (Hand sieves and hand riddles). The HS code for hand sieves and hand riddles is 9604.00, regardless of the material they are made from.
How do I classify Hand sieves for customs?
Hand sieves is classified under HS code 960400 — Hand sieves and hand riddles. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are industrial screening machines included in 9604.00?
No, industrial or mechanical screening and sorting machines are classified under HS code 8474.10.
Which countries are the top exporters of hand sieves (HS 960400)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 960400 (the code used for hand sieves) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($10M, 23% of world exports), China ($4.0M) and the United Kingdom ($3.5M). World exports came to about $44M, 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 hand sieves (HS 960400)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 960400 (the code used for hand sieves) in UN Comtrade data were the Philippines ($13M, 16% of world imports), Germany ($12M) and the United Kingdom ($3.7M). World imports came to about $80M, 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.
Is the HS code for Hand sieves the same in all countries?
The base HS code 960400 for Hand sieves is internationally standardized for the first 6 digits across 200+ countries. Individual countries may add additional digits for national tariff lines and specific classifications.
What is the NCM code for hand sieves in Brazil?
In Brazil, hand sieves (HS 960400) is classified under NCM 9604.00.00.