Product classification
HS code for Hewing tools: 8201.40
Tools, hand, axes, bill hooks and similar hewing tools, of a kind used in agriculture, horticulture or forestry.
Classification of hewing tools under HS 8201.40
Hewing tools are classified under HS code 8201.40, which specifically covers axes, bill hooks, and similar hewing tools used in agriculture, horticulture, or forestry. This classification is determined by the tool's manual operation and its primary function in land management or timber processing. According to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System, heading 8201 includes hand tools of a kind used in agriculture, even if they are also suitable for other uses. The tools must be made of base metal, typically steel, to be included in Chapter 82. The classification 8201.40 is distinct because it focuses on tools designed for cutting or shaping wood through a striking motion. This includes traditional axes used for felling trees, hatchets for splitting kindling, and bill hooks used for hedging or clearing brush. The essential character of these tools is their heavy, sharpened metal head attached to a handle, designed to be swung by hand. Tools that are mechanically driven or have a power source are excluded from this heading and are instead classified under Chapter 84. Furthermore, the intended use in forestry or agriculture is a key factor; while a tool might be used by a hobbyist, its design and industrial standard must align with agricultural or horticultural applications to fit within this specific HS code.
- Covers
- Felling axes and splitting axes
- Hatchets and hand axes
- Bill hooks for brush clearing
- Slashers and clearing axes
- Adzes for woodworking in a forestry context
- Hewing spears and similar manual timber tools
- Also under 8201.40
- Gränsfors Bruk Felling Axe
- Fiskars X27 Splitting Axe
- Husqvarna Forest Axe
- Estwing Camp Axe
Codes often confused with 8201.40
Common mistake. Hewing tools are frequently misclassified under HS code 8205.59, which covers other hand tools not elsewhere specified. However, because axes and bill hooks are explicitly named in heading 8201, they must be classified there according to GRI 1. Another common error is classifying powered wood-splitting machinery under 8201.40; such machines belong in 8465.96. Additionally, decorative or ceremonial axes that are not functional tools might be classified under 9705 as collectors' items or 8306 as ornaments.
Top exporters and importers of HS 820140 (the code used for hewing tools), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 820140 (the code used for hewing tools) 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.
Figures cover everything classified under HS 820140, not only hewing tools.
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 hewing tools
Brazil classifies hewing tools under NCM 8201.40.00: HS 8201.40 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about hewing tools
What is the HS code for Hewing tools?
The HS code for Hewing tools is 820140 (Tools, hand; axes, bill hooks and similar hewing tools, of a kind used in agriculture, horticulture or forestry).
How do I classify Hewing tools for customs?
Hewing tools is classified under HS code 820140 — Tools, hand; axes, bill hooks and similar hewing tools, of a kind used in agriculture, horticulture or forestry. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for a standard camping hatchet?
A standard camping hatchet is classified under HS code 8201.40, as it is a hand-operated hewing tool made of base metal, regardless of its use for recreation rather than professional forestry.
Are replacement handles for axes classified here?
No, replacement wooden handles are typically classified under 4417.00, which covers tools, tool bodies, and tool handles of wood. Only the complete tool or the metal head usually falls under 8201.
Which countries are the top exporters of hewing tools (HS 820140)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 820140 (the code used for hewing tools) 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 hewing tools (HS 820140)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 820140 (the code used for hewing tools) 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.
Is the HS code for Hewing tools the same in all countries?
The base HS code 820140 for Hewing tools 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 hewing tools in Brazil?
In Brazil, hewing tools (HS 820140) is classified under NCM 8201.40.00.