Product classification
HS code for Staple refills: 8305.20
Stationery, staples in strips, (e.g. for offices, upholstery, packaging), of base metal.
Classification of staple refills under HS 8305.20
Staple refills are classified under HS code 8305.20, which covers staples in strips made of base metal. This classification is found within Chapter 83, which encompasses miscellaneous articles of base metal. The defining characteristic for classification under this specific subheading is the presentation of the staples: they must be 'in strips.' This means the individual staples are joined together, usually by a thin layer of adhesive, lacquer, or plastic, to allow them to be loaded into a stapling machine, such as an office stapler, a construction tacker, or a packaging tool. The material must be a base metal, such as steel, iron, or aluminum. According to the Explanatory Notes to heading 8305, this code includes staples used in offices, upholstery, and packaging. The classification is based on the form of the product rather than its specific end-use. If the staples were presented individually (loose), they would be classified as nails or tacks under Chapter 73, but the strip format necessitates the use of 8305.20.
- Covers
- Office staples in strips
- Upholstery staples in strips
- Industrial packaging staples in strips
- Galvanized steel staple strips
- Copper-coated staple refills
- Also under 8305.20
- Swingline Optima staples
- Rapid staples
- Bostitch heavy-duty staples
- Arrow Fastener staples
- Stanley-Bostitch industrial staples
Codes often confused with 8305.20
Common mistake. Staple refills are frequently misclassified under HS code 7317.00, which covers nails, tacks, and staples of iron or steel. However, Note 2 to Chapter 83 and the specific wording of 8305.20 clarify that staples in strips are excluded from 7317 and must be placed in 8305. Another error is classifying them under 8472.90, which is the code for the stapler machine itself.
Top exporters and importers of HS 830520 (the code used for staple refills), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 830520 (the code used for staple refills) in UN Comtrade data was China, with 42% of world exports; the largest importer in UN Comtrade data was the United States, with 23% 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 830520, not only staple refills.
Top exporters 2025 · share of world exports
- 1 China $200M 42% of world exports
- 2 Germany $26M 5.5% of world exports
- 3 Japan $20M 4.2% of world exports
World total: $475M Reported figures on UN Comtrade ↗
Top importers 2025 · share of world imports
- 1 United States $109M 23% of world imports
- 2 Germany $25M 5.3% of world imports
- 3 Netherlands $22M 4.8% of world imports
World total: $468M 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 staple refills
Brazil classifies staple refills under NCM 8305.20.00: HS 8305.20 with 00 added.
Source: Siscomex NCM table, updated Oct 2026. The Portuguese text on each NCM page is the official one.
Questions about staple refills
What is the HS code for Staple refills?
The HS code for Staple refills is 830520 (Stationery; staples in strips, (e.g. for offices, upholstery, packaging), of base metal). The HS code for staple refills presented in strips and made of base metal is 8305.20.
How do I classify Staple refills for customs?
Staple refills is classified under HS code 830520 — Stationery; staples in strips, (e.g. for offices, upholstery, packaging), of base metal. This is a 6-digit subheading level code.
Are loose staples classified under the same code?
No, loose staples (not in strips) are generally classified under HS code 7317.00 as articles of iron or steel.
Which countries are the top exporters of staple refills (HS 830520)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 830520 (the code used for staple refills) in UN Comtrade data were China ($200M, 42% of world exports), Germany ($26M) and Japan ($20M). World exports came to about $475M, 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 staple refills (HS 830520)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 830520 (the code used for staple refills) in UN Comtrade data were the United States ($109M, 23% of world imports), Germany ($25M) and the Netherlands ($22M). World imports came to about $468M, 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 Staple refills the same in all countries?
The base HS code 830520 for Staple refills 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 staple refills in Brazil?
In Brazil, staple refills (HS 830520) is classified under NCM 8305.20.00.