Product classification
HS code for Meat cleavers: 8214.90
Cutlery, hair clippers and mincing knives.
Classification of meat cleavers under HS 8214.90
Meat cleavers are classified under HS code 8214.90. While many kitchen knives fall under heading 8211, meat cleavers are specifically excluded from that heading and placed into 8214, which covers "Other articles of cutlery." The Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System for heading 8214 explicitly mention "cleavers" and "choppers" as examples of cutlery items that are not considered standard knives. This is due to their design and use; cleavers are heavy-duty tools intended for swinging and chopping through bone and tough tissue, rather than the slicing motion associated with 8211 knives. Heading 8214 acts as a category for specialized cutting tools like hair clippers, butchers' cleavers, and paper knives. The classification follows GIR 1, as the legal notes for 8211 and 8214 distinguish between general-purpose knives and specialized chopping cutlery. Even if sold in a set with kitchen knives, the cleaver may need to be classified separately or determine the set's classification based on the essential character under GIR 3(b).
- Covers
- Butcher cleavers
- Kitchen choppers
- Mincing knives (non-mechanical)
- Heavy-duty bone splitters
- Also under 8214.90
- Wahl manual hair clippers
- Wüsthof mincing knives
- F. Dick mezzaluna
- KitchenAid mincing knives (manual)
- Mundial mincing knives
Codes often confused with 8214.90
Common mistake. The most frequent misclassification is HS code 8211.92, which covers kitchen knives with fixed blades. While a cleaver is used in a kitchen, the HS system distinguishes "choppers" from "knives." Another error is HS code 8201.40, which covers axes and hatchets. While a cleaver resembles an axe, it is a cutlery item used for food preparation, placing it in Chapter 82 under cutlery (8214) rather than hand tools (8201).
Top exporters and importers of HS 821490 (the code used for meat cleavers), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 821490 (the code used for meat cleavers) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 80% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 14% 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 821490, not only meat cleavers.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $280M 80% of world exports
- 2 Germany $11M 3.2% of world exports
- 3 United States $11M 3.1% of world exports
World total: $351M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $27M 14% of world imports
- 2 Germany $13M 6.8% of world imports
- 3 Russia* ~$10M 5.3% of world imports · partner records ↗
World total: $191M 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 codes for meat cleavers
Brazil splits HS 8214.90 into 2 NCM codes. Pick the one that matches your product:
- 8214.90.10Hand shearing clippers and parts
- 8214.90.90Cleavers, choppers and other cutlery
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about meat cleavers
What is the HS code for Meat cleavers?
The HS code for Meat cleavers is 821490 (Cutlery; hair clippers and mincing knives). The HS code for meat cleavers is 8214.90, under the category of other articles of cutlery.
How do I classify Meat cleavers for customs?
Meat cleavers is classified under HS code 821490 — Cutlery; hair clippers and mincing knives. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Why isn't a cleaver classified as a knife under 8211?
The Harmonized System distinguishes between slicing tools (knives) and chopping tools (cleavers/choppers). Heading 8214 specifically captures these heavier chopping implements used in butchery and kitchens.
Which countries are the top exporters of meat cleavers (HS 821490)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 821490 (the code used for meat cleavers) in UN Comtrade data were China ($280M, 80% of world exports), Germany ($11M) and the United States ($11M). World exports came to about $351M, 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 meat cleavers (HS 821490)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 821490 (the code used for meat cleavers) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($27M, 14% of world imports), Germany ($13M) and Russia (about $10M). World imports came to about $191M, 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 Meat cleavers the same in all countries?
The base HS code 821490 for Meat cleavers 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 meat cleavers in Brazil?
Brazil splits HS 821490 into 2 NCM codes, so the right one for meat cleavers depends on the product's details: 8214.90.10 (Hand shearing clippers and parts), 8214.90.90 (Cleavers, choppers and other cutlery).