Product classification
HS code for Shovels: 8201.10
Tools, hand, spades and shovels.
Classification of shovels under HS 8201.10
Hand-operated shovels are classified under HS code 8201.10. This classification falls within Chapter 82, which covers tools, implements, cutlery, spoons, and forks of base metal. Heading 8201 specifically addresses hand tools used in agriculture, horticulture, or forestry. Subheading 8201.10 is dedicated to spades and shovels. The classification is based on the tool being manually operated rather than powered by a motor or engine. These tools consist of a base metal blade (usually steel or aluminum) and a handle made of various materials such as wood, fiberglass, or plastic. According to the Explanatory Notes to the Harmonized System, the presence of a handle does not change the classification, as the essential character is provided by the metal blade. The distinction between a spade (designed for digging) and a shovel (designed for moving loose material) is not relevant at this level of the nomenclature, as both are grouped together. This code applies to tools intended for manual labor in gardening, construction, or agricultural settings. It is important to note that the tool must be of a kind used for manual work; miniature versions intended as toys are excluded from this chapter.
- Covers
- Garden shovels
- Square-point shovels
- Round-point shovels
- Manual snow shovels with metal blades
- Trenching spades
- Coal shovels (hand-operated)
- Also under 8201.10
- Fiskars Ergo Shovel
- Ames True Temper D-Handle Spade
- Spear & Jackson Neverbend Shovel
- Bulldog Premier Digging Spade
- Corona Max Forged Shovel
Codes often confused with 8201.10
Common mistake. Shovels are often misclassified under HS code 8429.59 if they are part of a mechanical system, but 8201.10 is strictly for hand tools. Another common error is using 8201.90, which is a residual category for other agricultural hand tools like sickles or forks. If the shovel is made entirely of plastic (such as some lightweight snow shovels), it might be misclassified under 3926.90, but if it is designed for heavy-duty agricultural use, 8201.10 remains the primary consideration. Toy shovels must be classified under 9503.00.
Top exporters and importers of HS 820110 (the code used for shovels), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 820110 (the code used for shovels) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 67% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 22% 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 820110, not only shovels.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $364M 67% of world exports
- 2 Mexico $35M 6.3% of world exports
- 3 Brazil $15M 2.8% of world exports
World total: $547M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $105M 22% of world imports
- 2 Germany $25M 5.3% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $21M 4.6% of world imports
World total: $466M 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 shovels
Brazil classifies shovels under NCM 8201.10.00: HS 8201.10 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about shovels
What is the HS code for Shovels?
The HS code for Shovels is 820110 (Tools, hand; spades and shovels). The HS code for manual spades and shovels made of base metal is 8201.10.
How do I classify Shovels for customs?
Shovels is classified under HS code 820110 — Tools, hand; spades and shovels. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are plastic shovels classified under this code?
Generally, no. If the shovel is made entirely of plastic, it is classified under 3926.90. However, if it has a metal blade and a plastic handle, it remains under 8201.10.
Which countries are the top exporters of shovels (HS 820110)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 820110 (the code used for shovels) in UN Comtrade data were China ($364M, 67% of world exports), Mexico ($35M) and Brazil ($15M). World exports came to about $547M, 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 shovels (HS 820110)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 820110 (the code used for shovels) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($105M, 22% of world imports), Germany ($25M) and the Netherlands ($21M). World imports came to about $466M, 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 Shovels the same in all countries?
The base HS code 820110 for Shovels 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 shovels in Brazil?
In Brazil, shovels (HS 820110) is classified under NCM 8201.10.00.