Knives and cutting blades — HTS 8208
Knives and cutting blades, for machines or for mechanical appliances, and base metal parts thereof
Chapter 82 › Heading 8208
2026 HTS Rev 19 Synced Rules verified Operational
Written to help non-specialists understand this page. Rates, dates, and legal facts come from the official records above and on the linked source.
HTS heading 8208 is a four-digit product category for knives and cutting blades designed to be fitted to machines or other mechanical appliances. It also covers certain parts of those machine knives and blades when they are made of base metal. Examples can include industrial cutting blades, machine-mounted knives, and similar replaceable cutting tools—but the exact classification depends on the item’s design and intended use.
To reach the correct eight-digit HTSUS code, start with the blade’s function and the machine or appliance it is designed for, then follow the more specific subheadings. The eight-digit breakdown commonly distinguishes the type of blade, its application, or the material and construction described in the tariff. Do not classify it solely by appearance: review the product’s technical specifications, whether it is complete or a part, and the tariff wording and applicable legal notes.
What to check
- Confirm that the item is made to work with a machine or mechanical appliance, rather than being a hand-operated knife or a general-purpose tool.
- Identify the intended machine function and use—such as cutting, slicing, shearing, trimming, or another industrial operation—and match it to the most specific tariff description.
- Check the blade and part construction, including the base metal and any other materials, because subheadings may distinguish products by material or type.
- Determine whether you are importing a complete machine knife or blade, a replaceable insert, or a separate base-metal part; do not assume all components use the same code.
- Compare the candidate eight-digit provisions with the current HTSUS text, section and chapter notes, and Customs rulings or obtain broker advice when the design or intended use is unclear.
HTS heading 8208 summary
Knives and cutting blades is a 4-digit product category containing 3 published product-code lines in this snapshot. A heading does not carry one universal duty rate; classification must be narrowed to the line matching the product facts.
How to find your code in this category
A heading is a product category. To get the exact duty, narrow from this 4-digit heading to a sub-category (usually by material), then open the 8-digit code that matches your product.
Open any code in the tables below to see its exact duty rate, a duty calculator (enter your shipment value → estimated duty and landed cost), the rate-change history chart, and the country-by-country breakdown (including Section 301/232 add-on duties).
Why you have to click in: a single category can contain products with very different duties. The rate depends on the specific product — its material and construction — and on the country of origin, and those only get pinned down at the 8-digit code level. That is why this page points you to codes instead of showing one rate for the whole category.
Sub-categories
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| 8208.40 | For agricultural, horticultural or forestry machines, and parts thereof |
| 8208.90 | Other |
Product codes & duty rates
👇 Each row is a specific product code — click a blue code to open its full page with exact duty rates by country, the rate-history chart, and a duty calculator. 👉
| Code | Description | General (MFN) | Special | Column 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8208.10.00 👉 | For metal working, and parts thereof | Free | — | 20% |
| 8208.20.00 👉 | For wood working, and parts thereof | Free | — | 20% |
| 8208.30.00 👉 | For kitchen appliances or for machines used by the food industry, and parts thereof | Free | — | 20% |
"Special" shows the free-trade-agreement rate; open a code to see exactly which countries qualify.
Common questions
What products fall under HTS heading 8208?
Knives and cutting blades, for machines or for mechanical appliances, and base metal parts thereof. To classify a specific item you must pick the matching sub-category and 8-digit code above; the right choice usually depends on the material and construction of the product.
How do I choose the right code within this category?
Start from the sub-categories (typically divided by material—for example cotton versus man-made fibers), then open the active 8- or 10-digit code that matches the product. When unsure, a licensed customs broker or a CBP binding ruling can confirm the classification.
Reference information only, not customs, legal, or classification advice. Confirm the current code and rate against the official HTS before you import.