8203.20.40.00
Slip joint pliers
General Rate
12%
MFN / Column 1 General
Special Rate
Free (A+,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG)
FTA / Preferential
Column 2 Rate
60%
Non-MFN countries
About HTS 8203.20.40.00
HTS code 8203.20.40.00 classifies imports of: Slip joint pliers. This line sits within Chapter 82 (Handtools of the following kinds and base metal parts thereof: spades, shovels, mattocks, picks, hoes, forks and rakes; axes, bill hooks and similar hewing tools; secateurs and pruners of any kind; scythes, sickles, hay knives, hedge shears, timber wedges and other tools of a kind used in agriculture, horticulture or forestry:), Section XV (Base Metals and Articles of Base Metal), and is catalogued as a tariff line in the USITC 2026 Basic Edition. Duty is calculated against units of quantity: doz.. Getting the classification right is the single most important step in import compliance — a wrong code can mean overpayment of duty, shipment delays, or penalties at the border.
The general (MFN / Column 1 General) rate for HTS 8203.20.40.00 is 12%, which applies to most trading partners of the United States. A special preferential rate of "Free (A+,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG)" may reduce or eliminate duty when goods qualify under a free trade agreement such as USMCA, CAFTA-DR, or one of the bilateral FTAs. The Column 2 rate of 60% applies to imports from non-MFN countries such as Cuba and North Korea — a much higher historical "full" tariff.
Footnotes: [{"columns": ["general"], "value": "See 9903.88.03.", "type": "endnote"}]. Beyond the published rate, importers should check for Section 201 safeguards, Section 301 China tariffs, and any active AD/CVD orders that can materially change the real landed cost. Always verify the classification with a licensed customs broker before committing to a supply contract — this page is a research tool, not a customs ruling.
Duty Rate Summary — HTS 8203.20.40.00
| Rate Column | Value | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| General (Column 1) | 12% | Most-favored-nation (MFN) trading partners — the default rate for most US imports. |
| Special | Free (A+,AU,BH,CL,CO,D,E,IL,JO,KR,MA,OM,P,PA,PE,S,SG) | Preferential rates under FTAs (USMCA, CAFTA-DR, GSP, etc.) when origin qualifies. |
| Column 2 | 60% | Statutory non-MFN rate for goods from countries without normal trade relations (Cuba, North Korea). |
Source: USITC Harmonized Tariff Schedule 2026 Basic Edition. See methodology for refresh cadence.
Details
- Units of Quantity
- doz.
- Classification
- Tariff Line
- Footnotes
- [{"columns": ["general"], "value": "See 9903.88.03.", "type": "endnote"}]
Related Items in Chapter 82
Spades and shovels, and parts thereof
Mattocks, picks, hoes and rakes, and parts thereof
Machetes, and parts thereof
Other
Secateurs and similar one-handed pruners and shears (including poultry shears), and parts thereof
Hedge shears, two-handed pruning shears and similar two-handed shears, and parts thereof
Grass shears, and parts thereof
Forks, and parts thereof
Other
Handsaws, and parts (except blades) thereof
Frequently Asked Questions
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Understanding This Tariff
HTS 8203.20.40.00 classifies under Chapter 82 (Handtools of the following kinds and base metal parts thereof: spades, shovels, mattocks, picks, hoes, forks and rakes; axes, bill hooks and similar hewing tools; secateurs and pruners of any kind; scythes, sickles, hay knives, hedge shears, timber wedges and other tools of a kind used in agriculture, horticulture or forestry:), Section XV (Base Metals and Articles of Base Metal). The general duty rate of 12% applies to imports from most-favored-nation (MFN) countries, which includes the majority of US trading partners. Preferential rates under free trade agreements (such as USMCA, CAFTA-DR, or bilateral FTAs) may reduce or eliminate duty for qualifying imports from partner countries.
Importers should verify the correct HTS classification with a licensed customs broker or US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before importing. Misclassification can result in penalties, delays, and additional duties.
Learn More About Tariffs
Related Trade & Economic Data
Data Sources
Tariff data from the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) Harmonized Tariff Schedule 2026 Basic Edition.
Duty rates are subject to change. Importers should verify current rates with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before making import decisions. Additional duties, anti-dumping duties, or countervailing duties may apply.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.