8203.20 Tools, hand; pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers and similar tools
A full HS code. These six digits are what goes on a customs declaration, and they mean the same thing in every country that uses the Harmonized System.
Section XV, Base Metals — iron, steel, copper, aluminium, other base metals and articles thereof.
- 82 Chapter Tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof, of base metal
- 03 Heading Tools, hand; files, rasps, pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers, metal cutting shears, pipe cutters, bolt croppers, perforating punches and similar
- 20 Subheading Tools, hand; pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers and similar tools
Chapter 82 covers tools, implements, cutlery, spoons and forks, of base metal; parts thereof, of base metal: hand tools, kitchen cutlery and similar metal implements, classified largely by function rather than the specific metal used. Classification tip: Knives and cutlery sometimes trigger destination-specific import controls or age-restricted sale rules (particularly folding/locking blades) that sit outside the HS tariff itself, so check local weapon-adjacent regulations for bladed items.
All of chapter 82Other codes under 82.03
The wording above is the Harmonized System nomenclature as published by the World Customs Organization, HS 2022 edition. It is a classification reference, not a tariff: it carries no duty rates, and it stops at six digits — the importing country adds its own beyond that.
Classification is decided by the General Rules of Interpretation and the section and chapter notes, and it is the importing country’s customs authority that makes it binding.
Shipping goods under 8203.20? A customs hold shows up as a milestone that stops moving — follow the container or the air waybill from departure to delivery.
Track a shipment8203.20 FAQ
8203.20 covers tools, hand; pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers and similar tools. It sits under heading 82.03 (tools, hand; files, rasps, pliers (including cutting pliers), pincers, tweezers, metal cutting shears, pipe cutters, bolt croppers, perforating punches and similar) in chapter 82, Section XV of the Harmonized System.
It is the international part of it. Six digits are the same in every country that applies the Harmonized System; the importing country then extends them to eight or ten for its own tariff and statistics. Declare 8203.20 plus whatever national digits the destination’s tariff schedule adds to it.
The General Rules of Interpretation, read together with the notes to Section XV and to chapter 82. A description that reads right is not enough on its own — the notes routinely pull goods out of the chapter they obviously belong to and put them somewhere else. Where duty or licensing turns on the answer, ask the importing country’s customs authority for a binding ruling.
A wrong or missing code is one of the common reasons customs holds a container, and a hold shows up as a milestone that stops moving. Watch for it in the container tracking app, on the air waybill in the air cargo tracker, or through the tracking API.