Product classification
HS code for Pruning knives: 8211.10
Knives, with cutting blades, serrated or not (including pruning knives), sets of assorted articles, excluding knives and blades of heading no. 8208.
Classification of pruning knives under HS 8211.10
Pruning knives are classified under HS code 8211.10 when they are part of assorted sets, or more generally under heading 8211 for knives with cutting blades. Chapter 82 of the Harmonized System covers tools, implements, and cutlery made of base metal. Pruning knives are specialized horticultural tools designed for tasks such as grafting, budding, and trimming small stems. They are characterized by their sharp, often curved (hawkbill) blades which allow for precise, clean cuts that minimize damage to plant tissue. The classification under 8211 is determined by the fact that the tool functions primarily as a knife with a cutting blade, whether fixed or folding. Even though these tools are used in agriculture, they are excluded from heading 8201 (which covers shears and loppers) because their mechanical action is a single-blade slice rather than a two-blade shear. The specific subheading 8211.10 is used when these knives are imported in sets containing other articles of cutlery or tools.
- Covers
- Folding pruning knives with hawkbill blades
- Fixed-blade grafting knives
- Budding knives for nursery use
- Horticultural knives with wooden or plastic handles
- Sets of assorted gardening knives
- Also under 8211.10
- Wüsthof Classic knife block set
- Victorinox Fibrox Pro set
- Cuisinart knife set
- Kershaw knife assortment
- Global knife set
Codes often confused with 8211.10
Common mistake. Pruning knives are often confused with pruning shears or secateurs, which fall under HS code 8201.50 or 8201.60. The distinction lies in the cutting mechanism: knives (8211) use a single blade to cut, while shears (8201) use two blades or a blade and an anvil. Another common error is classifying them under 8214.90 as 'other articles of cutlery,' but since pruning knives are specifically mentioned in the Explanatory Notes for 8211, that heading takes precedence.
Top exporters and importers of HS 821110 (the code used for pruning knives), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 821110 (the code used for pruning knives) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 68% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 34% 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 821110, not only pruning knives.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $396M 68% of world exports
- 2 Germany $44M 7.6% of world exports
- 3 Spain $29M 5.0% of world exports
World total: $579M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $166M 34% of world imports
- 2 Germany $42M 8.7% of world imports
- 3 United Kingdom $20M 4.2% of world imports
World total: $483M 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 pruning knives
Brazil classifies pruning knives under NCM 8211.10.00: HS 8211.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about pruning knives
What is the HS code for Pruning knives?
The HS code for Pruning knives is 821110 (Knives; with cutting blades, serrated or not (including pruning knives), sets of assorted articles, excluding knives and blades of heading no. 8208). The HS code for pruning knives is 8211.10 for sets, or 8211.92/8211.93 for individual fixed or folding knives respectively.
How do I classify Pruning knives for customs?
Pruning knives is classified under HS code 821110 — Knives; with cutting blades, serrated or not (including pruning knives), sets of assorted articles, excluding knives and blades of heading no. 8208. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Is a grafting knife the same as a pruning knife for HS purposes?
Yes, both grafting and budding knives are considered types of pruning knives and are classified under heading 8211 because they utilize a cutting blade.
Which countries are the top exporters of pruning knives (HS 821110)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 821110 (the code used for pruning knives) in UN Comtrade data were China ($396M, 68% of world exports), Germany ($44M) and Spain ($29M). World exports came to about $579M, 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 pruning knives (HS 821110)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 821110 (the code used for pruning knives) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($166M, 34% of world imports), Germany ($42M) and the United Kingdom ($20M). World imports came to about $483M, 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 Pruning knives the same in all countries?
The base HS code 821110 for Pruning knives 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 pruning knives in Brazil?
In Brazil, pruning knives (HS 821110) is classified under NCM 8211.10.00.