Product classification
HS code for Letter openers: 8214.10
Cutlery, paper knives, letter openers, erasing knives, pencil sharpeners and blades therefore.
Classification of letter openers under HS 8214.10
Letter openers are classified under HS code 8214.10. This code is part of Chapter 82, which encompasses tools, implements, cutlery, spoons, and forks made of base metal. Heading 8214 is a residual category for 'other' articles of cutlery, such as hair clippers, butchers' cleavers, and paper knives. Subheading 8214.10 specifically identifies paper knives, letter openers, erasing knives, and pencil sharpeners. The classification is based on the functional utility of the item as a cutting or opening tool for office or personal use. Even if a letter opener is highly decorative or part of a desk set, its primary character as an article of cutlery defines its position in the Harmonized System. The materials used are typically base metals like stainless steel, brass, or zinc alloys, though the handle may be made of different materials. According to the Chapter 82 notes, articles of this heading can have handles of non-precious materials, but if they are made of precious metal or plated with precious metal, they may be subject to classification in Chapter 71. However, standard office letter openers remain firmly in 8214.10.
- Covers
- Metal letter openers
- Paper knives
- Erasing knives
- Mechanical pencil sharpeners
- Non-mechanical pencil sharpeners and their blades
- Also under 8214.10
- X-Acto pencil sharpeners
- Helix pencil sharpeners
- Muji letter openers
- Faber-Castell sharpeners
- Maped sharpeners
Codes often confused with 8214.10
Common mistake. Letter openers are sometimes confused with general-purpose knives under HS code 8211.92. However, 8211 is for knives with cutting blades, whereas 8214 is for specific cutlery articles like letter openers. They may also be misclassified under 8304.00, which covers office desk equipment like filing trays, but 8304 excludes tools and cutlery defined in Chapter 82.
Top exporters and importers of HS 821410 (the code used for letter openers), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 821410 (the code used for letter openers) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 79% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was Germany, with 6.8% 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 821410, not only letter openers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $241M 79% of world exports
- 2 Germany $24M 7.7% of world exports
- 3 France $4.7M 1.5% of world exports
World total: $307M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 Germany $15M 6.8% of world imports
- 2 United States $15M 6.7% of world imports
- 3 South Korea $10M 4.5% of world imports
World total: $226M 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 letter openers
Brazil classifies letter openers under NCM 8214.10.00: HS 8214.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about letter openers
What is the HS code for Letter openers?
The HS code for Letter openers is 821410 (Cutlery; paper knives, letter openers, erasing knives, pencil sharpeners and blades therefore).
How do I classify Letter openers for customs?
Letter openers is classified under HS code 821410 — Cutlery; paper knives, letter openers, erasing knives, pencil sharpeners and blades therefore. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
What is the HS code for a metal letter opener?
A metal letter opener is classified under HS code 8214.10.
Are plastic letter openers classified here?
If the letter opener is entirely plastic, it may be classified under 3926.10 as office supplies of plastic, but metal-bladed openers always fall under 8214.10.
Which countries are the top exporters of letter openers (HS 821410)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 821410 (the code used for letter openers) in UN Comtrade data were China ($241M, 79% of world exports), Germany ($24M) and France ($4.7M). World exports came to about $307M, 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 openers (HS 821410)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 821410 (the code used for letter openers) in UN Comtrade data were Germany ($15M, 6.8% of world imports), the United States ($15M) and South Korea ($10M). World imports came to about $226M, 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 openers the same in all countries?
The base HS code 821410 for Letter openers 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 openers in Brazil?
In Brazil, letter openers (HS 821410) is classified under NCM 8214.10.00.