Product classification
HS code for Spades: 8201.10
Tools, hand, spades and shovels.
Classification of spades under HS 8201.10
Spades are classified under HS code 8201.10 because they are defined as hand tools used primarily in agriculture, horticulture, or forestry. According to the Harmonized System's General Rules of Interpretation (GRI), products are classified based on their material composition and their primary function. Chapter 82 encompasses tools, implements, and cutlery made of base metal. Specifically, heading 8201 covers hand tools such as spades, shovels, mattocks, picks, hoes, forks, and rakes. The subheading 8201.10 is reserved for spades and shovels. These tools are characterized by a metal blade attached to a handle, designed for manual digging, lifting, or moving soil, coal, or other bulk materials. The classification depends on the tool being hand-operated; if the spade were part of a machine, it would fall under Chapter 84. The base metal construction is a prerequisite for this chapter, as tools made entirely of plastic or wood would be classified according to their constituent material. The WCO Explanatory Notes clarify that this heading includes tools even if they are intended for use by children, provided they are not toys.
- Covers
- Garden spades
- Pointed shovels
- Square-mouth shovels
- Trenching spades
- Drainage spades
- Snow shovels (manual)
- Coal shovels
- 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. Spades are frequently confused with mattocks, picks, and hoes, which are classified under HS code 8201.30. While they are all manual garden tools, the mechanical action of a spade (digging and lifting) differs from the striking action of a pick. Furthermore, mechanical shovels or excavators are classified under heading 8429, as they are machinery rather than hand tools. Small plastic spades intended for use as beach toys are classified under 9503.00.
Top exporters and importers of HS 820110 (the code used for spades), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 820110 (the code used for spades) 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 spades.
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 spades
Brazil classifies spades 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 spades
What is the HS code for Spades?
The HS code for Spades is 820110 (Tools, hand; spades and shovels). The primary HS code for manual spades and shovels is 8201.10.
How do I classify Spades for customs?
Spades is classified under HS code 820110 — Tools, hand; spades and shovels. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are power-assisted shovels classified here?
No, power-assisted or mechanical shovels are classified under Chapter 84, specifically heading 8429 for heavy machinery or 8467 for hand-held power tools.
Which countries are the top exporters of spades (HS 820110)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 820110 (the code used for spades) 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 spades (HS 820110)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 820110 (the code used for spades) 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 Spades the same in all countries?
The base HS code 820110 for Spades 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 spades in Brazil?
In Brazil, spades (HS 820110) is classified under NCM 8201.10.00.