Product classification
HS code for Sharpening stones: 6804.30
Stones, hand sharpening or polishing stones, of natural stone, agglomerated natural or artificial abrasives or ceramics, with or without parts of other materials.
Classification of sharpening stones under HS 6804.30
Sharpening stones are classified under HS code 6804.30 because they are specifically identified as hand sharpening or polishing stones. This classification falls within Chapter 68, which encompasses articles made of stone, plaster, cement, asbestos, mica, or similar materials. The primary determining factor for this code is the manual nature of the tool; these stones are designed to be held in the hand or used as a stationary block over which a blade is drawn, rather than being mounted on power-driven machinery. The material composition can vary from natural stone to agglomerated natural or artificial abrasives, such as aluminum oxide or silicon carbide, or even ceramic materials. According to the General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), the specific function of hand-sharpening takes precedence over the general material composition. Even if the stone is mounted on a small wooden or plastic base for stability, it remains under 6804.30 as the abrasive stone provides the essential character of the product. This code ensures that manual maintenance tools are distinguished from industrial grinding wheels used in manufacturing environments.
- Covers
- Natural whetstones and oil stones
- Artificial abrasive hones
- Ceramic sharpening blocks
- Water stones for knife maintenance
- Hand-held scythe stones
- Pocket sharpening stones for outdoor use
- Also under 6804.30
- Lansky Sharpeners
- Spyderco Sharpeners
- DMT Diamond Sharpeners
- King Waterstones
- Arkansas Sharpening Stones
- F. Dick sharpening steels
Codes often confused with 6804.30
Common mistake. A frequent error is classifying these items under HS code 6804.22, which covers millstones, grindstones, and grinding wheels. However, 6804.22 is reserved for stones intended for use on machines or for grinding without a hand-held component. Another common mistake is using HS code 8205.59, which covers other hand tools. While a sharpening stone is a tool used by hand, the specific heading 6804 is more specific to the abrasive nature of the material and takes precedence over the general hand tool category in Chapter 82.
Top exporters and importers of HS 680430 (the code used for sharpening stones), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 680430 (the code used for sharpening stones) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 41% 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 680430, not only sharpening stones.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $72M 41% of world exports
- 2 Germany $25M 15% of world exports
- 3 United States $16M 9.1% of world exports
World total: $174M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $25M 14% of world imports
- 2 Germany $12M 7.0% of world imports
- 3 Japan $7.6M 4.4% of world imports
World total: $173M 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 sharpening stones
Brazil classifies sharpening stones under NCM 6804.30.00: HS 6804.30 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about sharpening stones
What is the HS code for Sharpening stones?
The HS code for Sharpening stones is 680430 (Stones; hand sharpening or polishing stones, of natural stone, agglomerated natural or artificial abrasives or ceramics, with or without parts of other materials). The HS code for hand sharpening or polishing stones is 6804.30, covering both natural and artificial abrasive materials.
How do I classify Sharpening stones for customs?
Sharpening stones is classified under HS code 680430 — Stones; hand sharpening or polishing stones, of natural stone, agglomerated natural or artificial abrasives or ceramics, with or without parts of other materials. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Does this code include diamond sharpening plates?
If the plate consists of a metal base with a layer of diamond dust, it may be classified under 8205.59 or 6804.21 depending on the construction, but 6804.30 is primarily for solid abrasive stones or agglomerated blocks.
Which countries are the top exporters of sharpening stones (HS 680430)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 680430 (the code used for sharpening stones) in UN Comtrade data were China ($72M, 41% of world exports), Germany ($25M) and the United States ($16M). World exports came to about $174M, 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 sharpening stones (HS 680430)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 680430 (the code used for sharpening stones) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($25M, 14% of world imports), Germany ($12M) and Japan ($7.6M). World imports came to about $173M, 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 Sharpening stones the same in all countries?
The base HS code 680430 for Sharpening stones 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 sharpening stones in Brazil?
In Brazil, sharpening stones (HS 680430) is classified under NCM 6804.30.00.