Product classification
HS code for Letter opener: 8472.30
Office machines, for sorting or folding mail or for inserting mail in envelopes or bands, machines for opening, closing or sealing mail and machines for affixing or cancelling postage stamps.
Classification of letter opener under HS 8472.30
The classification of a letter opener under HS code 847230 is specific to mechanical or electrical office machines. This heading covers office machines used for sorting, folding, inserting, or opening mail. Unlike manual hand tools, these are complex devices designed to automate the process of opening envelopes in a high-volume environment. The classification is governed by Section XVI and Chapter 84, which deal with machinery and mechanical appliances. To fall under 847230, the device must be a machine, whether hand-operated by a crank or powered by electricity, that performs the function of slitting or cutting open envelopes. This distinguishes industrial or professional office equipment from simple stationery items found in a desk drawer. The code reflects the machine's role in mailroom productivity and document processing.
- Covers
- Electric letter opening machines
- Automatic envelope slitters
- Manual crank-operated mail openers
- High-speed mailroom opening systems
- Desktop electronic letter openers
- Also under 8472.30
- Pitney Bowes SendPro P1500
- Quadient (Neopost) DS-75i inserter
- Formax FD 6100 folder
- Bell and Howell Criterion mail sorter
Codes often confused with 8472.30
Common mistake. The most common misclassification for a "letter opener" is HS code 821410, which covers paper knives and manual letter openers that are simple hand tools (non-mechanical). Most consumer-grade letter openers are actually 821410. Another potential error is HS code 847290, which is a catch-all for other office machines; however, because 847230 specifically mentions machines for opening mail, it takes precedence according to the principle of specific description over general description.
Top exporters and importers of HS 847230 (the code used for letter opener), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 847230 (the code used for letter opener) in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 18% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 33% 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 847230, not only letter opener.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 Germany $33M 18% of world exports
- 2 United Kingdom $30M 16% of world exports
- 3 United States $28M 15% of world exports
World total: $186M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $69M 33% of world imports
- 2 Germany $26M 12% of world imports
- 3 France $16M 7.7% of world imports
World total: $213M 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 codes for letter opener
Brazil splits HS 8472.30 into 4 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8472.30.10Automatic postage stamp cancelling machines
- 8472.30.20Automatic mail sorters with postcode reading
- 8472.30.30Automatic parcel sorters with postcode reading
- 8472.30.90Other mail handling machines
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about letter opener
What is the HS code for Letter opener?
The HS code for Letter opener is 847230 (Office machines; for sorting or folding mail or for inserting mail in envelopes or bands, machines for opening, closing or sealing mail and machines for affixing or cancelling postage stamps).
How do I classify Letter opener for customs?
Letter opener is classified under HS code 847230 — Office machines; for sorting or folding mail or for inserting mail in envelopes or bands, machines for opening, closing or sealing mail and machines for affixing or cancelling postage stamps. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for a mechanical letter opener?
A mechanical or electric letter opening machine is classified under HS code 847230.
Does this code include plastic hand-held letter openers?
No, simple hand-held tools without mechanical moving parts are classified as paper knives under HS code 821410.
Which countries are the top exporters of letter opener (HS 847230)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 847230 (the code used for letter opener) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($33M, 18% of world exports), the United Kingdom ($30M) and the United States ($28M). World exports came to about $186M, 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 letter opener (HS 847230)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 847230 (the code used for letter opener) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($69M, 33% of world imports), Germany ($26M) and France ($16M). World imports came to about $213M, 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 Letter opener the same in all countries?
The base HS code 847230 for Letter opener 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 letter opener in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 847230 into 4 NCM codes, so the right one for letter opener depends on the product's details: 8472.30.10 (Automatic postage stamp cancelling machines), 8472.30.20 (Automatic mail sorters with postcode reading), 8472.30.30 (Automatic parcel sorters with postcode reading), 8472.30.90 (Other mail handling machines).