Product classification
HS code for Whetstones: 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 whetstones under HS 6804.30
The classification of whetstones under HS code 6804.30 is determined by the General Rules for the Interpretation (GRI) of the Harmonized System. Specifically, Chapter 68 encompasses articles of stone, plaster, cement, or similar materials. Heading 6804 is dedicated to millstones, grindstones, grinding wheels, and similar articles, without frameworks, for grinding, sharpening, polishing, trueing, or cutting. Subheading 6804.30 specifically isolates hand sharpening or polishing stones. These items are characterized by their use in manual sharpening processes, where the stone is held in the hand or the tool is manually drawn across the stone. The material composition can vary from natural stone to agglomerated natural or artificial abrasives, or even ceramics. The classification remains consistent regardless of whether the stone is mounted on a simple base or has parts of other materials, provided it remains a hand-operated sharpening tool. The technical distinction is that these stones are not power-driven and are intended for manual finishing of edges on tools, knives, or other implements.
- Covers
- Natural oilstones for blade maintenance
- Water stones (whetstones) for cutlery
- Honing stones for straight razors
- Scythe stones for agricultural tools
- Arkansas stones and other natural abrasive blocks
- Synthetic ceramic sharpening stones
- Agglomerated artificial abrasive hand stones
- 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. Whetstones are frequently misclassified under HS code 6805.10, which covers natural or artificial abrasive powder or grain on a base of woven textile fabric. While both involve abrasives, 6805 refers to flexible coated abrasives like sandpaper, whereas 6804 refers to rigid stones. Another common error is using 8205.59, which covers other hand tools. However, because 6804 specifically names sharpening stones, GRI 1 dictates that the more specific heading takes precedence over a general tool category.
Top exporters and importers of HS 680430 (the code used for whetstones), 2025
In 2025, the largest exporter of HS 680430 (the code used for whetstones) 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 whetstones.
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 whetstones
Brazil classifies whetstones 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 whetstones
What is the HS code for Whetstones?
The HS code for Whetstones 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 primary HS code for hand sharpening or polishing stones is 6804.30.
How do I classify Whetstones for customs?
Whetstones 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 diamond abrasive is agglomerated or fixed to a rigid stone-like base for hand sharpening, it typically falls under 6804. However, if it is a metal plate with a thin layer of diamond dust, it might be scrutinized under Chapter 82 as a metal hand tool.
Which countries are the top exporters of whetstones (HS 680430)?
In 2025, the top exporters of HS 680430 (the code used for whetstones) 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 whetstones (HS 680430)?
In 2025, the top importers of HS 680430 (the code used for whetstones) 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 Whetstones the same in all countries?
The base HS code 680430 for Whetstones 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 whetstones in Brazil?
In Brazil, whetstones (HS 680430) is classified under NCM 6804.30.00.